Fence-sitting: Casteen holds off on drinking age initiative
UVA President John Casteen is waiting for “evidence” before agreeing to sign the Amethyst Initiative.FILE PHOTO
Should the drinking age be lowered from 21 to 18?
That question is being asked around UVA Grounds– and around the country– thanks to the Amethyst Initiative, an effort by a group of college presidents to open an “informed and unimpeded debate” about lowering the minimum drinking age. On Saturday, UVA prez John Casteen told parents of incoming first-year students he still didn’t know whether he’d ink his own name below the 128 college presidents already on the list, according to a transcript of his speech.
“It depends on whether they’re able to develop and publish the evidence,” he said, “to prove there’s not a negative difference in the impact on young people.”
Some people intimately acquainted with the drinking habits of UVA students are hoping Casteen will soon see that evidence.
“I would like to see Casteen sign,” says John Crafaik, owner of Littlejohns, who believes the drinking age should be lowered.
“From my experience, they’re going to (more)


Comments(10)
Charlottesville radio host and autism parent 












