University and college presidents are signing a petition to open a debate about the drinking age. However, the University of California presidents are refusing to sign it.

The Amethyst Initiative is a petition that hopes to initiate an informed debate over the current drinking age. The nonprofit organization Choose Responsibly along with eight college presidents drafted the petition in July 2008.

The petition questions why adults under 21 can vote and serve in the army but still can’t drink alcohol. The debate aims to include discussion of new, more productive ways to decrease dangerous drinking habits on most college campuses.