August 22, 2008

News Analysis: Will Drinking-Age Fight Elevate Role of University Leaders?

By Paul Fain

College presidents have long gotten flak for refusing to take controversial stands on national issues. Some say the bold presidents of the past, like the Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh and William C. Friday, have been replaced by timid fund raisers.

But this week a large group of presidents kicked off an emotionally charged national debate on the drinking age. In doing so, they triggered an avalanche of news-media coverage and a fierce backlash.

While the criticism

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