A number of college presidents, many at well-known, prestigious universities have signed on to the idea of lowering the drinking age from 21 back to 18 in an effort to curb binge drinking.

The federal government decided to raise the drinking age to 21 in 1984. States could decide whatever they wanted, but would lose millions in federal highway funds if they bucked the trend.

Now there's added pressure from more than 100 college presidents to change. They believe binge drinking puts students most at risk and think the way to take on the problem is by lowering the drinking age to 18.

"I think 19 would be better 'cause that would keep high school kids from buying it for younger classmates," says Creighton law student Mark Kiesler. While UNL and Creighton have not signed on to the list of college presidents pushing for lowering the drinking age, there are some big-time schools on the list of who are, including Dartmouth, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Syracuse and Ohio State.

"Treating our students in a more adult way brings out the best in them,” says Ohio State President Gordon Gee.

"There is no proven research to show that it would impact binge drinking rates and lower them," counters Cassandra Greisen with Project Extra Mile. Greisen wonders what parents must be thinking for those going to a school where the president is on record supporting a lower drinking age. "It is sending a mixed message to the students, 21 is 21."

UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman tells Channel 6 News, "I do not think merely dropping the legal age to drink would have a beneficial impact. I do not think simple solutions usually lead to solving very complex problems."

Creighton University's Father John Schlegel says, "My experience of more than 30 years of living on college campuses tells me that the 21-year age limit has not resolved the situation. It should be looked at in the broader context of education for responsible drinking."

As Creighton gets ready to welcome its largest freshman class in 30 years, the university will sit down with each of them and their parents.

"We just take it seriously,” says Creighton Assistant Vice President for Student Services Tanya Winegard. “We know that we need to partner with everyone and be clear in our messages about alcohol. It's an important issue for students and they need to make good choices."

Since UNL began its program, students report binge drinking decreased more than 20 percent in a decade.

Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is the nearest college whose president endorsers a lower drinking age. Again, with highway funds tied to it, states would be hard-pressed to change anything and Congress hasn't entered the debate.