2008 Woodie Awards
Some believe age is more than a number
College presidents, chancellors across U.S. are signing a petition to consider lowering drinking age
Jay Baker
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Campus News
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"The University of Tennessee system is going to take a 'no' stance on this. We're not going to sign the petition," said Bud Grimes, director of University Relations.
"From freshman studies and other activities that the university sponsors to prevent binge drinking and to warn students about the dangers of alcohol, I can't see the university endorsing this."
The petition is an effort of www.amethystinitiative.org (AI), which, according to their Web site, seeks to "support an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21-year-old drinking age."
"This is a law that is routinely evaded," said John McCardell in an interview with the Associated Press. McCardell is the former president of Middlebury College in Vermont and the founder of the organization.
"It is a law that the people at whom it is directed believe is unjust and unfair and discriminatory."
McCardell believes that college students will drink no matter what, but do so more dangerously when it is illegal.
AI claims that the current drinking age encourages a "culture of dangerous, clandestine 'binge-drinking'-often conducted off-campus."
It further contends that students who choose to use fake I.D.s to drink end up eroding their respect for the law in general.
Furthermore, AI makes the classic fairness argument: "Adults under 21 are deemed capable of voting, signing contracts, serving on juries and enlisting in the military, but are told they are not mature enough to have a beer."
The petition has not escaped sharp criticism, however, as Mothers Against Drunk Driving contends that lowering the drinking age would only lead to more fatal crashes. MADD officials even go so far as to urge parents to reconsider sending their children to colleges whose presidents have signed on.
"It's very clear the 21-year-old drinking age will not be enforced at those campuses," said Laura Dean-Mooney, national president of MADD.
Brittany McGruder, UTM's SGA president, was not available for comment at press time, but Eric Lipford, SGA vice president, said they were aware of the petition and were considering the issue.
"As of right now we don't have a comment, but we have heard of it and we're doing research on the topic right now before we make a decision," Lipford said.
He said that he and McGruder should reach a decision within the next week as to whether they will support the petition.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 10
Mary
posted 8/26/08 @ 10:09 AM CST
If you can be tried as an adult in courts at the age of 18, the drinking age should be 18
Nathaniel
posted 8/26/08 @ 12:18 PM CST
I agree. If you pay taxes you should be able to drink.
John Fitch
posted 8/26/08 @ 12:24 PM CST
You can actually be tried as an adult at 16 for most crimes, and at 12-14 for more serious crimes.
The initiative is about debating the issue, not deciding it. (Continued…)
William
posted 8/26/08 @ 1:24 PM CST
If you're old enough to die for your country (or at least for politicians' ends...), then you're old enough to drink. Period. How hard is that for our 'representatives' at all levels of government to understand?
CC
posted 8/26/08 @ 8:15 PM CST
I would like to see if fatalities related to drinking have gone down since the age was raised to 21. That would have been helpful information in this article. (Continued…)
Nathaniel
posted 8/26/08 @ 10:51 PM CST
William - You are exactly right. However it would be political suicide in most places of the US, especially the South, for a politician to suggest that individuals should be in charge of their own life. (Continued…)
Heather
posted 8/27/08 @ 8:34 AM CST
If you are old enough to be drafted for a war and possibly killed, then you have every right to be able to drink at 18.
Laci
posted 8/27/08 @ 9:27 PM CST
I know people will drink no matter what the law is, but I do not think the age should be lowered. There are too many irresponsible people as is with drinking and we dont need any more out there legally than we already have. (Continued…)
ryan
posted 9/02/08 @ 8:55 AM CST
we all drink underage anyways. i have heard several people say that by 21, it isnt as fun to drink simply because it isnt illegal. we like to do it because we are breaking the rules, it is exciting. (Continued…)
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