A group of University of Iowa parents is voicing support for the proposed 21-ordinance as part of a larger solution to curbing underage drinking.

In a recent letter to the Iowa City City Council, which was also sent to The Daily Iowan, the UI Parent Association’s Advisory Board said it supports making the entry age for Iowa City bars 21 and up.

The City Council is set to hold the first of three readings of the ordinance Tuesday night.

The 16-member board, which represents all UI undergraduate parents, is concerned with students’ safety and the negative effects of underage drinking, according to the letter. The board issued a similar letter of support during the 21-ordinance debate in 2007.

For board member Mary Beth Golemo, the issue is one of investment.

Students and parents devote significant time and money to education, she said, and these investments suffer when students face alcohol-related legal issues or health consequences.

“We want to see them succeed,” Golemo said and later said, “There is no responsible drinking if you’re under the age of 21.”

Though the ordinance is crucial, it shouldn’t be the only approach to the issue, said Susan Bates, the board’s president. Officials need to emphasize alternative options to drinking, she said.

“We really think that this is the best overall approach to a solution to this problem,” she said, and “one ordinance doesn’t make or break everything.”

Bates said the board supports efforts by UI officials to increase entertainment options, including the yet-to-open Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, to which the parent board has contributed $100,000.

The group has also reserved around $10,000 for Late Night at Iowa, which funds nonalcoholic events on weekend nights.

Golemo said increasing resources for UI groups such as the Campus Activities Board could positively affect the underage drinking situation and prevent a shift from downtown bars to house parties.

UI officials, local police, and student leaders need to work together to form a comprehensive solution, Golemo said.

But some students are skeptical about the impact of alternate activities.

UI freshman Meghan Halverson said increasing alternative activities would likely only have a slight effect on underage drinking.

Many students’ lifestyles include drinking, she said.

“It’ll take quite a few years for that to change,” she said.

Sophomore Peter Gillon said current students wouldn’t likely change their habits, even if more entertainment options were available.

But if incoming freshmen were exposed to a culture in which non-drinking activities were popular, he said, they’d likely pick up those habits.

In their letter, parent- board members said they don’t want students to view binge drinking and “Thirsty Thursdays” as key aspects of college life.

The group is also concerned about some high-school and college students’ notions that the UI is a “party school” with easy access to alcohol.

Board members are set to discuss nonalcoholic entertainment alternatives for students at their April 29 meeting.