Staff Editorial: Make a move
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: Opinions
The Amethyst Initiative, which derives its name from Greek roots meaning "not intoxicated," has recently caused quite a stir in the national media with its call for lowering the national drinking age. While the Intiative may carry the signatures of over one hundred college presidents, it has also gathered its fair share of detractors, including the Havard School of Public Health and MADD. The Amethyst group claims that instead of trying to force immediate change, they simply want to open a window for conversation that has until now been shut tight. While there is certainly plenty of evidence to support both sides of the issue, we are not here to merely state our opinion on the legitimacy of the proposed solution.
In line with the goals and purposes of the Amethyst Initiative, we believe there needs to be open discussion of the proposal on Furman's campus. Even though many students currently reading this publication are not of legal age to drink, the sheer number of signatures the intiative has garnered from college presidents around the country should lend enough relevancy to the issue to open conversation on our campus.
With this in mind, we urge AFS to take a stand - one way or the other - on this issue. As the voice and representation of our student body, AFS has a duty to discern the beliefs and opinions of the student population and then to offer recommendations on the issues affecting them. Since the students will ultimately be the ones impacted by the Initiative, simply allowing the Furman University Substance Abuse Coalition and the Board of Trustees to handle the issue is not sufficient.
Accordingly, we strongly encourage AFS to reach out to the student body on the issue of the Amethyst Initiative. In recent years, AFS has seemed too content to appease the university's administration, even in the face of opposition from students. Whether through email surveys, open panel discussion or some other means of polling, the student body must be heard.
Considering Furman's commitment to keeping our campus alcohol-free, we cannot afford to overlook this issue. If our own student government won't stand up on our behalf, especially on an issue presently shining in the national spotlight, we are forced to ask, "Who will?"
In line with the goals and purposes of the Amethyst Initiative, we believe there needs to be open discussion of the proposal on Furman's campus. Even though many students currently reading this publication are not of legal age to drink, the sheer number of signatures the intiative has garnered from college presidents around the country should lend enough relevancy to the issue to open conversation on our campus.
With this in mind, we urge AFS to take a stand - one way or the other - on this issue. As the voice and representation of our student body, AFS has a duty to discern the beliefs and opinions of the student population and then to offer recommendations on the issues affecting them. Since the students will ultimately be the ones impacted by the Initiative, simply allowing the Furman University Substance Abuse Coalition and the Board of Trustees to handle the issue is not sufficient.
Accordingly, we strongly encourage AFS to reach out to the student body on the issue of the Amethyst Initiative. In recent years, AFS has seemed too content to appease the university's administration, even in the face of opposition from students. Whether through email surveys, open panel discussion or some other means of polling, the student body must be heard.
Considering Furman's commitment to keeping our campus alcohol-free, we cannot afford to overlook this issue. If our own student government won't stand up on our behalf, especially on an issue presently shining in the national spotlight, we are forced to ask, "Who will?"