Spring Break
University presidents aim to dodge alcohol liability
Gina Lee Nicki - Daily Utah Chronicle (University of Utah)
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Opinion
(UWIRE) Utah - It's safe to say that binge drinking has become a part of life for many college students. More than 44 percent of college students show symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependence, according to a study performed by Harvard School of Public Health.
In July, more than 100 university presidents around the nation launched the Amethyst Initiative, "amethyst" coming from the Greek word meaning "not intoxicated." Members of the Initiative include presidents from Duke University, Dartmouth College and Johns Hopkins University.
The Initiative's official statement calls for "an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21 year-old drinking age."
The effort paid off. Since the story broke, there has been a frenzy of talk in the media and public. It seems we are ready to have this debate, but the problem is that the call for the debate came from leaders of higher education institutions who are supposed to be providing safe environments for students and teaching students higher standards.
No one is disputing the injuries and risks involved with underage drinking and binge drinking.
The studies all indicated that lowering the drinking age wouldn't solve the alcohol abuse going on among students.
Many studies, including the College Alcohol Study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, show that lowering the drinking age will increase the risks and injuries associated with drinking, which leads some to question the intent of these university presidents.
The presidents behind the initiative know that more than 599,000 students at four-year universities suffer injuries related to excessive drinking every year, according to the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention.
They know that sexual assault increases when alcohol is involved and that class attendance and academic performance drop when students consume more alcohol, as shown by the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey.
In July, more than 100 university presidents around the nation launched the Amethyst Initiative, "amethyst" coming from the Greek word meaning "not intoxicated." Members of the Initiative include presidents from Duke University, Dartmouth College and Johns Hopkins University.
The Initiative's official statement calls for "an informed and dispassionate public debate over the effects of the 21 year-old drinking age."
The effort paid off. Since the story broke, there has been a frenzy of talk in the media and public. It seems we are ready to have this debate, but the problem is that the call for the debate came from leaders of higher education institutions who are supposed to be providing safe environments for students and teaching students higher standards.
No one is disputing the injuries and risks involved with underage drinking and binge drinking.
The studies all indicated that lowering the drinking age wouldn't solve the alcohol abuse going on among students.
Many studies, including the College Alcohol Study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, show that lowering the drinking age will increase the risks and injuries associated with drinking, which leads some to question the intent of these university presidents.
The presidents behind the initiative know that more than 599,000 students at four-year universities suffer injuries related to excessive drinking every year, according to the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention.
They know that sexual assault increases when alcohol is involved and that class attendance and academic performance drop when students consume more alcohol, as shown by the Core Alcohol and Drug Survey.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Perry Cook
posted 11/12/08 @ 12:27 AM MST
I think what you have is no one really knows what to do about this. If they crack down on the students then they look like party poopers. If they do nothing then they look like bums. (Continued…)
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