Alex Dyer and Mike Parker may one day find proof of their victory in the bottom of a bottle.
Two weeks ago, Dyer, a freshman history major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Parker, a sophomore political science major and UK exchange student, founded Students Asking for Equality, a budding student lobbyist group looking to lower the national drinking age to each state's age of majority.
SAE's founders have constructed the group around two main ideas: Firstly, the national government violates state rights to set a drinking age. And secondly, it is fundamentally wrong to set the drinking age higher than the age of majority.
"I just feel (the drinking age) is completely unfair," Parker said.
"The 10th Amendment states that it's left up to each states discretion, but national government has essentially said if they don't change it, they're not getting money. We want state equality, but 18- to 20 year-olds are being discriminated against. If you changed that group to 30- to 32-year-olds, they wouldn't be happy."
SAE has found a parent group in Choose Responsibility, a national organization dedicated to inciting discussion about the national drinking age. Through Choose Responsibility, Dyer and Parker hope to send a group constitution to other universities and begin a national campaign.
"Right now we're trying to become an established Recognized Student Organization, writing our constitution and talking to other groups," Dyer said.
"But I think we have a real shot; 18- to 20-year-olds are a huge demographic, and this is important to them even if they don't realize it. I see us becoming established, and even other chapters."
SAE has also met with both members of the Association of Students at the University of Nebraska, as well as Shelley Stall, director of Student Legal Services at UNL. Parker described a "positive" response from both parties, especially concerning a proposed bill that would revoke driver's licences of those charged with a Minor In Possession. Lobbying against that bill is one of the group's first priorities.
"One of our arguments against the bill, and MIPs as well, is that it implies the offender is a minor even though they are above age of majority," Parker said. "It's hypocritical."
Parker described a two-part plan for the group's initial activities, first becoming established at UNL and other campuses through Choose Responsibility, and then lobbying at a state level.
Dyer acknowledged that one of the greatest obstacles facing the lobbyist group will be the issue of safety, which has prevented similar efforts in the past.
"We like to talk about the principle of the issue," he said. "Of course a big issue is safety, and we advocate a safer drinking environment. When you look at high school and college, there's a binge drinking culture because that's all that's available to students. They're not allowed a safe drinking environment."
For Dyer, the purpose of his potential lobby and RSO is all in the principle.
"We really feel it's ridiculous to call people adults, to allow them to sign contracts and purchase tobacco, and still consider them minors even if they're 20 years and 364 days old."
iansacks@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
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