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President Bill Perry declined to join the Amethyst Initiative put forth by various chancellors and presidents of universities. The initiative would lower the legal drinking age to 18, allowing the majority of underclassmen to enter bars and socialize with older students. (Photo Illustration|Karolina Strack)

President Perry turns down movement to lower drinking age

By: Brittni Garcia/ Campus Editor

Posted: 9/8/08

President Bill Perry denied the request to try and change the drinking age from 21 to 18.

"I believe 21 is the appropriate age for the consumption of alcohol," Perry said.

This proposal is called the Amethyst Initiative.

It was launched in July and is made up by chancellors and presidents of universities.

More than 129 leaders and administrators of higher education institutions have signed a public statement that states drinking problems, such as binge drinking, may be because of the legal age.

On Aug. 11, President Emeritus John McCardell of Middlebury College sent Perry a request to sign the Presidential Statement along with 90 other college presidents.

Perry said Eastern's approach is to educate students on responsibility and drinking through programs such as AlcoholEdu.

Perry said the issue of lowering the drinking age has been around a long time.

"I think the important issue is whatever debate, it has to be based on data," Perry said.

Perry said he approves of Eastern's approach to alcohol education and programs.

Perry also said he will back those initiatives in any way.

He said all programs would continue to enhance and if programs are not giving a positive influence, then more research will be done.

Steve Czernik, a senior business management major, believes lowering the drinking age would not affect students at Eastern.

"I think it's a good idea to lower the drinking age because students under the age are already doing it," Czernik said.

However, Czernik said the move would decrease a town's profit off of drinking violations.

Lori Beth Alford, a career and technical education major, said, depending on the person, people would drink no matter what the age limit is.

"I think this would bring down the drinking tickets in a sense and at the same time, it may get out of control and kids might take advantage," Alford said.

Congress passed the legal drinking age limit in 1984, but administrators nationwide currently see some flaws with the limit.

The Amethyst Initiative calls upon officials to support a public debate about the effects of the drinking age limit and to create more ideas about the best ways to prepare young people to make appropriate decisions.

Presidents who have already signed the initiative include: President James E. Wright from Dartmouth College, President Richard Brodhead from Duke University and President John M. Stamm from Trinity Lutheran College.

Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.