DePauw begin discussion of Amethyst Initiative
A group of more than 100 college presidents, named for gemstone Greeks believed would ward off drunkenness, supports lowering the drinking age to 18; President Casey hasn't yet taken position
By: Macy Ayers
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: News
After 2009, places like Wal-Mart and Moore's could accept younger DePauw students' legal identification. A federal law that penalizes states with a drinking age under 21 is up for renewal.
While the issue won't be decided until the next legislative session, a group of university presidents called the Amethyst Initiative sparked a debate that is playing out in homes, news organizations and campuses across the country.
The group takes its name from the purple gemstone of the same name that ancient Greek's believed could ward off drunkenness, according to the Associated Press.
John McCardell, former President of Middlebury College, didn't start the Initiative to encourage any specific action or legislation.
The group said in a statement on their Web site that Amethyst is attempting to open a "re-examination," on the grounds that 21 is not working as a legal limit. It is not working, the statement asserts, because a culture of clandestine drinking has developed and abstinence-oriented alcohol education hasn't modified behavior.
Organizations from Mothers Against Drunk Driving to the Harvard School of Public Health have spoken against the discussion occurring at all. According to the Associated Press, MADD is cautioning parents to think about the safety of institutions where presidents have signed on with Amethyst.
Opponents point to a status quo worth maintaining that has better highway safety, protects early teen brain development, and has more certainty than a very ambiguous alternative plan.
As of Monday, 129 institutions signed the petition. For the time being DePauw isn't among them.
President Brian Casey inherited the original request sent to former President Robert G. Bottoms. Casey said he wants to wait before participating in the debate on a national level. Right now, he said, the issue is too hot and the story is too simple. However, he realizes students will drink regardless of the legal limit.
"We can either ignore it, move into a more punitive stance, or have a conversation about how to drink responsibly," Casey said.
While the issue won't be decided until the next legislative session, a group of university presidents called the Amethyst Initiative sparked a debate that is playing out in homes, news organizations and campuses across the country.
The group takes its name from the purple gemstone of the same name that ancient Greek's believed could ward off drunkenness, according to the Associated Press.
John McCardell, former President of Middlebury College, didn't start the Initiative to encourage any specific action or legislation.
The group said in a statement on their Web site that Amethyst is attempting to open a "re-examination," on the grounds that 21 is not working as a legal limit. It is not working, the statement asserts, because a culture of clandestine drinking has developed and abstinence-oriented alcohol education hasn't modified behavior.
Organizations from Mothers Against Drunk Driving to the Harvard School of Public Health have spoken against the discussion occurring at all. According to the Associated Press, MADD is cautioning parents to think about the safety of institutions where presidents have signed on with Amethyst.
Opponents point to a status quo worth maintaining that has better highway safety, protects early teen brain development, and has more certainty than a very ambiguous alternative plan.
As of Monday, 129 institutions signed the petition. For the time being DePauw isn't among them.
President Brian Casey inherited the original request sent to former President Robert G. Bottoms. Casey said he wants to wait before participating in the debate on a national level. Right now, he said, the issue is too hot and the story is too simple. However, he realizes students will drink regardless of the legal limit.
"We can either ignore it, move into a more punitive stance, or have a conversation about how to drink responsibly," Casey said.
Be the first to comment on this story