Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell said he will not take a position on either side of the debate to get lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18.

“I see value in both sides of the debate,” Ransdell said. “I have not signed either document nor have I cast WKU’s position in the debate. I’m more interested in what’s right for us. We will determine our institutional values in our community rather than be shaped by some national debate.”

Ransdell said there are two competing perspectives that various presidents are advocating. One suggests a major crackdown on consumption, period, while the other suggests a way to reduce consumption is to lower the drinking age on the theory that if it’s legal, there’s less peer pressure to participate.

While college presidents are seeking a national debate to lower the drinking age and organizations like MADD are against any change in the law, both agree alcohol consumption among college students is a problem. And so does Ransdell; however Ransdell said while the university may have concerns, its problems are not as serious as some campuses and some communities.

“That’s why I want to be careful not to let others define Western’s position,” Ransdell said. “First of all, we can’t change the law ourselves. As long as the law is what it is, we will respect it and enforce it. If the law changes we will respect that as well.”