New report shows increases in alcohol related crime on UI campuses
University of Iowa officials say it’s too early to tell if concerted efforts to target dangerous drinking will reduce alcohol-related offenses, which have increased 53 percent since last year.
The state Board of Regents will discuss crime statistics from state universities at its meeting today in Vinton. The report compares the first three months of 2010 with the same time in 2009.
The UI had the highest increase in alcohol offenses or incidents among the three regent universities, including a 97 percent spike in OWI citations by UI police.
Charles Green, the assistant vice president for the UI police, said his officers have not significantly increased alcohol-related enforcement.
“Crime stats fluctuate all of the time, and we generally do not know the reason unless we direct all our resources to address one specific issue for a sustained period of time,” he wrote in an e-mail.
In an ongoing effort to prevent violence downtown, UI police increased their presence around the Pedestrian Mall.
At least a dozen minors have been cited for presence in bars after hours since the 21-ordinance, which had UI President Sally Mason and other top officials’ seal of approval, took effect June 1.
“It remains to be seen whether the 21-ordinance will help [decrease alcohol citations], but our hope is that it will,” said Iowa City police Watch Commander Doug Hart.
University spokesman Tom Moore said school officials will continue to work with the city on alcohol issues. The Partnership for Alcohol Safety — a coalition including university, city, and bar officials — was created a year ago.
“There is an ongoing effort to change the culture of drinking, but it takes time,” Moore said.
Tom Rocklin, the UI interim vice president for Student Services, said the arrest record won’t affect university programs on drinking.
Since 2007, UI officials have increased the number of Friday classes. In March, the UI Faculty Council and Faculty Senate voted unanimously to continue that effort.
The university has implemented many programs in an effort to educate students. AlcoholEdu, an online science-based program about alcohol, is required for freshmen and transfer students.
This year, the UI hosted the Red Watch Band, an alcohol-training program that teaches students to recognize the effects of overdose.
Freshman Orientation will also feature a new presentation on alcohol and drinking responsibly, if a student choses to drink at all.
“We will continue to move forward with programs to protect the health and safety of our students,” Rocklin said.
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