Some College Presidents Suggest Drinking Age Should Be Reconsidered

Jen Chung

Published Aug 19, 2008

Modified Aug 20, 2008

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Jen Chung

Published Aug 19, 2008

Modified Aug 20, 2008

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

A group of chancellors and presidents universities and college are asking lawmakers to think about lowering the drinking age from 21 years to 18 years. The Amethyst Initiative, started by former Middlebury College president John McCardell and now boasts 114 signatures from other college officials (like NY schools Colgate University, Hamilton College, Manhattan College and Manhattanville College), says, "These higher education leaders have signed their names to a public statement that the 21 year-old drinking age is not working, and, specifically, that it has created a culture of dangerous binge drinking on their campuses." The group also points out "while adults under 21 can vote and enlist in the military, they are told they are not mature enough to have a beer." However, some organizations think lowering the drinking age will just mean more drunk driving incidents; a Harvard School of Public Health lecturer also said lowering the legal age to drink is like "pouring gasoline to put the fire out."