Spring Break
Universities fight to change drinking laws
Michelle Firestone
Issue date: 9/2/08 Section: News
Lisa Troyer, Senior Associate to President Hogan and Chief of Staff, said that although this is a compelling argument, it is a different issue than the one raised by the initiative.
According to Troyer, UConn's administration doesn't support the initiative because there isn't enough evidence that a lower drinking age is the best solution to the problem. Some believe that the law could make college drinking even more rampant. President Michael Hogan and the rest of the administration want to look into a range of solutions.
"Rather than settling on a solution, we think it's important to have the dialogue first," said Troyer. "Going to a solution where we know the evidence is questionable is really a huge mistake."
The initiative's goals are extremely controversial, raising concerns from groups such as MADD who feel that the lower drinking age will encourage binge drinking on college campuses, rather than helping the problem.
The Amethyst Initiative was launched in July 2008. Amethyst is symbolic of the Initiative's goals, as the gemstone was widely believed to be antidote to the negative effects of intoxication.
According to Troyer, UConn's administration doesn't support the initiative because there isn't enough evidence that a lower drinking age is the best solution to the problem. Some believe that the law could make college drinking even more rampant. President Michael Hogan and the rest of the administration want to look into a range of solutions.
"Rather than settling on a solution, we think it's important to have the dialogue first," said Troyer. "Going to a solution where we know the evidence is questionable is really a huge mistake."
The initiative's goals are extremely controversial, raising concerns from groups such as MADD who feel that the lower drinking age will encourage binge drinking on college campuses, rather than helping the problem.
The Amethyst Initiative was launched in July 2008. Amethyst is symbolic of the Initiative's goals, as the gemstone was widely believed to be antidote to the negative effects of intoxication.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
samuel
posted 9/02/08 @ 7:40 AM EST
The only, and I mean only problem with lowering the drinking age is there would probably be a quick spurt in deaths from drunk driving accidents by young people who are now allowed to drink but aren't ready for it because the current laws baby them and don't encourage responsible drinking. (Continued…)
Don't Drink
posted 9/02/08 @ 11:13 AM EST
Do we love drinking so much that you don't care about the thousands of lives lost or destroyed every year because of drinking related crimes? When will we realize that this ancient culture of drinking for fun should be modernized? There is nothing "responsible" about drinking, if we truly want to be responsible let's take responsibility for all the lives destroyed by drinking. (Continued…)
doug
posted 9/02/08 @ 11:51 AM EST
MADD often cites a statistic that showed an increase in drunk driving deaths when the drinking age was first lowered to 18 in the 70's. Drunk driving-related deaths are currently at their lowest levels in years. (Continued…)
UConn Alum in Canada
posted 9/03/08 @ 9:19 AM EST
How about looking north to Canada where the drinking age is 19, and even 18 in Quebec? There is not a horrorscape of killed 19 year olds on the highways. (Continued…)
Brandon
posted 9/25/08 @ 11:24 PM EST
Im 19, and I have to manage work, college, bills/taxes, and the rest of my life. I like to have a beer after work or during a sporting event. I don't know why that is such a bad thing, I mean isn't that what everyone who opposes lowering the drinking age did when they were younger? This issue isn't truly about saving lives it is about the natural appeal of thinking you are "better" than people who are younger than you. (Continued…)
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