Spring Break
Lowering the drinking age a modest proposal
Courtney Carignan
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Commentary
All UConn students had to complete AlcoholEdu and many learned through drivers' education classes about the responsibility we have as drivers to not drive after drinking. On campus, there is also the Alcohol and Other Drug Services division to help students make more informed decisions about drinking.
In addition to educating college students there are programs on campus, such as Guard Dogs, to protect the student body from alcohol-related accidents and which have proved to be very effective. They provide means of transportation for college students at UConn without anybody's having to decide who would grin and bear being a designated driver or who would just "drink less" but still be "ok" to drive.
Although students are living in the glamorous party life right now, if today's youth was granted the privilege of legally drinking at 18 there is the chance that they would respect this law to prove that they deserve their newfound right. As 18-year-olds, members of the student body are considered legal adults and are allowed by law to serve on juries, serve in the military and vote, meaning our government deems us responsible enough to fight for and decide who will lead our country. If we can make these decisions that affect our entire country, perhaps we are "adult" enough to make our own decisions regarding alcohol.
UConn has been trying to rid itself of the title of "party school" and perhaps its lack of support for this initiative is part of that stand.
However, college students come to UConn to socialize, as well as learn, and if it were legal for us to do so it would prevent students from going to such drastic measures to drink. The point of this initiative is to eliminate students going to all costs, even dangerous ones, just to get their party on.
In addition to educating college students there are programs on campus, such as Guard Dogs, to protect the student body from alcohol-related accidents and which have proved to be very effective. They provide means of transportation for college students at UConn without anybody's having to decide who would grin and bear being a designated driver or who would just "drink less" but still be "ok" to drive.
Although students are living in the glamorous party life right now, if today's youth was granted the privilege of legally drinking at 18 there is the chance that they would respect this law to prove that they deserve their newfound right. As 18-year-olds, members of the student body are considered legal adults and are allowed by law to serve on juries, serve in the military and vote, meaning our government deems us responsible enough to fight for and decide who will lead our country. If we can make these decisions that affect our entire country, perhaps we are "adult" enough to make our own decisions regarding alcohol.
UConn has been trying to rid itself of the title of "party school" and perhaps its lack of support for this initiative is part of that stand.
However, college students come to UConn to socialize, as well as learn, and if it were legal for us to do so it would prevent students from going to such drastic measures to drink. The point of this initiative is to eliminate students going to all costs, even dangerous ones, just to get their party on.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
E.B
posted 9/05/08 @ 9:10 AM EST
Sadly enough, most 18 year old college students are immature children. I have yet to meet a "mature, adult" freshman or sophomore at Uconn. The first weekend of school, driving home from campus, a group of kids in a car driving in front of me were throwing empty beer bottles out their windows driving and swerving all over the road. (Continued…)
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