Clarke Director of Residence Life to Speak at State Capitol

Clarke University Director of Residence Life will speak to Iowa legislators next week about how the university has worked with the City of Dubuque to curb underage drinking. Kevin Utt will speak at the Iowa Alliance of Coalitions for Change “Day on the Hill” Press Conference in Des Moines on Feb. 25. Utt will encourage legislators to pass a statewide social host bill. Dubuque County currently has a social host ordinance, which went into effect in the spring of 2012. The ordinance states that it is the duty of the social host of an event, gathering or party to take all steps to prevent alcoholic beverages from being possessed or consumed by underage persons on the premises. “We, as a community, have been tackling this issue of underage binge drinking, and Clarke is experiencing positive results in the decisions that its students are making,” Utt said. What has made the ordinance a success is the partnership between local agencies, according to Utt. Dubuque police enforce the ordinance and Clarke’s administration meets with the individual who is cited. Organizations like Helping Hands, Dubuque County Safe Youth Coalition, Riverview Center and the other local colleges work together to educate students on the risk of binge drinking and the risk of hosting large events where underage drinking occurs. For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318.