April 21, noon-1:00 p.m., Klingenstein Lounge! Be there! President Tom Rochon will emcee a discussion about the Amethyst Initiative. We will hear two speakers for pro/against lowering the drinking age then open it up for debate.
The Amethyst Initiative, signed by 130 college presidents, recently ignited a firestorm of controversy in the media. It states:
"Our nation's legal drinking age of 21 is not working as well as the public may think. Its unintended consequences are posing increasing risks to young people. It is time for a serious debate among our elected representatives about whether current public policies are in line with current realities."
The presidents of Ithaca College, Cornell, and Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) chose not to sign the initiative; however, President Tom Rochon supports discussion about underage drinking and said he is glad the initiative has sparked debate.
Alcohol abuse, problem drinking among young people, and drunk driving are part of a national crisis that cuts across demographic lines. However, colleges and universities are often a flashpoint for these issues, and alcohol presents a nearly universal challenge for the higher education community.
Institutions of higher learning stand at the very center of this debate, whether or not they've taken a public position. If initial media response to the Amethyst Initiative is any indication, this topic will grow increasingly difficult to avoid or ignore. It would be a true disservice to the public to allow media sound bites to outweigh thoughtful discussion.
Now is your change to come on out and give your opinion!
