The Inter-Residence Hall Association discussed an Iowa Legislature’s bill to ban alcohol from ISU residence halls at its meeting Thursday night.

IRHA had its first read on a bill opposing the Legislature’s proposal.

Rep. Jane Greimann, D-Ames, and Rep. Dennis Parmenter, D-Ames, came to the meeting to discuss the bill.

Chris Benson, Birch-Welch-Roberts representative, writer of the IRHA bill countering the ban, said he had discussed the issue with Rep. Rosemary Thomson, R-Marion, who helped write the Legislature’s bill.

“I’ve talked to Rosemary a little bit on the phone today,” Benson said. “I don’t think that she’ll change her mind, but she is willing to discuss it with us.”

Greimann and Parmenter are against the bill but believe it has a 50 percent chance of passing. However, Parmenter said most people would agree that alcohol has been a problem on college campuses.

“The people [in the House] want you to stay alive and healthy. They want the best for you,” Greimann said. “Your job is to convince them that there is a better way to go about this.”

Terry Demmer, Lower Friley representative, was concerned that 21-year-olds would lose their privileges if they lived in the dorms.

“When you’re 21 years old, why do we have to be punished with a $200 fine?” Demmer asked.

Paul Duncan, director of finance, said the bill seemed biased to the different areas of the university.

“It seems that [the bill] is singling out the dorms instead of including the greek system,” Duncan said.

Another concern of the members is that ISU Department of Residence officials might lose money if the ban is passed and enforced on campus.

However, Brooke Smerber, director of special events, said the Department of Residence would more than likely rally against the ban.

“I’m sure that the university will be fighting some of this since they’re building all of the new residence halls and apartments,” Smerber said.