“Our nation’s legal drinking age of 21 is not working as well as the public may think. Its unintended consequences are posing increasing risks to young people. It is time for a serious debate among our elected representatives about whether current public policies are in line with current realities.”

The above proposal is known as the Amethyst Initiative and is signed by 130 college presidents. It recently ignited a firestorm of controversy in the media.

Alcohol abuse, problem drinking among young people, and drunk driving are part of a national crisis that cuts across demographic lines. However, colleges and universities are often a flashpoint for these issues, and alcohol presents a nearly universal challenge for the higher education community.

Institutions of higher learning stand at the very center of this furious debate, whether they’ve taken a public position or not. If initial media response to the Amethyst Initiative is any indication, this topic will grow increasingly difficult to avoid or ignore. It would be a true disservice to the public to allow media sound bites to outweigh thoughtful discussion.

It’s time to come together as a community and sift through the evidence. The goal of this free seminar is to move beyond unsupported claims, emotional accusations and misleading science. Without your voice, we lack an important point of view. So join us, please, for an informed discussion and vital debate on the Amethyst Initiative.

As co-presenters of this free seminar, John McCardell and Brett Sokolow will:
• Challenge the perceived success of the 21-year-old drinking age.
• Discuss the unintended consequences when colleges and universities strictly enforce this national policy.
• Review the research on alcohol-related policies designed to cope with underage and problem drinking - - those that work and those that are failing.
• Explain the reasons behind their shared belief that treating students as adults is part of the solution.

Register today and make your voice heard!
The first 30 minutes of the online seminar will focus on a thorough discussion of the facts and myths surrounding the current legal drinking age. The second half of the event is reserved for your questions, thoughts and opinions.

The Amethyst Initiative began when John McCardell, President Emeritus of Middlebury College and Founder of Choose Responsibility, spoke at a meeting of the Annapolis Group, a group of about 120 liberal arts colleges, in June 2008.

Can't make the scheduled seminar? Click here and scroll to the bottom of the next page to order the program on CD.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Central Standard Time)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Mountain Standard Time)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Pacific Standard Time)

Who can afford to miss this FREE seminar?
No one. Whether or not you support the Amethyst Initiative, you need to be a part of this free online discussion.

Registration for the live program is now closed, but you will still have the opportunity to view this important program. You'll receive a link via email the Monday after the live program and you'll be able to watch the full seminar on-demand for that full week after the live program. You can also purchase this program on CD.

Video Online Seminar • Friday, December 12, 2008 • 12:00 - 1:00 PM CST