KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- University and college officials across the nation are working together in hopes of changing the legal drinking age.

No one from Tennessee has joined the initiative, but a few nearby familiar schools are Duke, Ohio State, and Butler University.

It was definitely an interesting topic to discuss with everyone from students to police on the UT Campus.

Thousands of students are away from home for the first time as the go off to college at UT, and some of those students will break the law and drink underage. That’s why one group says the drinking age just doesn't work.

It's an issue that gets some people stirred up -- whether or not the drinking age should be dropped 3 years.

“I don't think it’s a good idea to change the law, in order to fit the people. If it’s a good idea, stick with it and hope the people fit the law. "

Bonnie Japp, 22, is a UT graduate speaking to new UT students about adjusting to life on their own through the "Volunteers for Christ" group.

Japp says, “I think when you're young, you're making poor decisions, and I've seen a lot of friends that have not made good decisions and I’ve seen a lot of effects of that."

But more than 100 university and college presidents and chancellors say the legal drinking age of 21 just doesn't work and actually turns underage drinkers to binge drinking.

Freshman Ryan Johnson, 19, says, “I think it’s a good idea, because most people here are probably going to drink anyways."

Johnson says he feels it's his right as an adult to drink alcohol.

Johnson says “I don't think you should really be able to go to war if you can't drink that's absolutely ridiculous."

The Amethyst Initiative makes the same argument as Ryan on their Web site trying to encourage more universities to join their campaign.

Local bar owner Joseph Smith has mixed opinions on the subject.

“Obviously it might be more business for us, at the same time we want a certain level of maturity."

The maturity level is what concerns UT Police Lieutenant Emily Simerly.

“Generally speaking, at that age people are a little bit too inexperienced to make the harder decisions that need to be made if they choose to consume alcohol."

Japp says, “I don't think changing the age is going to cause people to use discernment with how much they drink, I think if they're going to drink a lot they're going to do it."

One thing several people agree on is that there are too many underage drinkers, but not all of them think the law should change because of it.

UT administrators say they "are not considering support for the effort."

For more on the Amethyst Initiative, CLICK HERE.