President’s Statement on the Amethyst Initiative

I am a signatory of the Amethyst Initiative because I am in favor of a rigorous, data-informed public discussion of the issue of the legal drinking age and its relationship to alcohol consumption among college students and other 18 to 21 year-olds.  I do not know, in advance of it, what view I will hold after such a discussion, but I think the discussion itself would be valuable.

As a university president, it is my privilege and my obligation to provide an environment for thousands of young women and men each year in which they have the opportunity to develop critical thinking abilities, sound judgment, and personal maturity.  This growth into well-informed citizens extends beyond academic learning and into the core of decision-making, which is critical to success in every aspect of life.

Pursuing a college education affords many opportunities to develop these skills, and whether it is choosing a major, resolving differences with peers, preparing for a career, or navigating a culture in which the consumption of alcohol is pervasive and well-accepted, the role of colleges and universities is to educate its students and prepare them to make well-informed and responsible choices. 

Drinking alcohol is illegal for students under the age of 21, and yet, despite the imposition of policies and disciplinary procedures, it is evident that alcohol and alcohol-related injuries, binge drinking, and alcohol abuse is a fact of life on college campuses across the nation.  The current drinking age has not eliminated alcohol abuse; it has driven it underground and out of the reach of counselors who are trained to help students deal with these issues.

At Montclair State University, we have taken a strong and proactive approach to the issues regarding underage drinking as well as the physical and mental health issues that can serve both as a catalyst and an effect of drinking.  We will continue to do so.  However, I believe it is incumbent upon us as educators to reevaluate the effectiveness of our current national models and at least to raise the question as to whether or not there may be different laws or policies that would foster better a culture that values moderation in alcohol use and frank discussion of difficult issues.

Susan A. Cole
President
Montclair State University