Penn State students' proactive leadership and outreach to campus and community representatives have effected a significant and positive change in the outcome of State Patty's Day, a potentially destructive drinking event. In previous years the event has caused significant risks to health and safety, property damage and substantial demands on the region's emergency response agencies. Students' successful efforts built upon a level of community engagement that began gaining momentum in February 2011, when outcry against the event prompted several downtown licensed alcohol establishments to close for the day or shut their doors early to deter dangerous and disruptive behavior. This year, nearly two dozen licensed alcohol establishments and state liquor officials announced closures or reduced hours and occupancy levels, a response rate three times greater than in 2011. Preliminary numbers from State College and University police departments support anecdotal observations of fewer people participating in this event and fewer dangerous incidents. (more)
Roger Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association, penned the following column for the February 2012 issue of Alumni Insider, an e-newsletter for Alumni Association members. In his column, he addresses campus and community concerns about State Patty's Day and notes the actions that Penn State students, with the Alumni Association and other campus and State College community leaders, are taking to coordinate a "wide range of interventions." (more)
A committee of Penn State student leaders, campus representatives and State College community leaders including Mayor Elizabeth Goreham has united against State Patty's Day, an excessive drinking event that has taken place since 2007 in downtown State College. The committee is asking local businesses to curtail their participation and instead join in promoting a weekend of community-friendly volunteer activities. (more)
This year, new Penn State students completed Penn State's recently developed online education program, PSU SAFE (Student Alcohol Feedback and Education). Linda LaSalle, associate director for educational services at University Health Services, is pleased with the results. (more)
This summer, new Penn State students attending the University's second six-week summer session will be first to complete Penn State's new online education program, PSU SAFE (Student Alcohol Feedback and Education). It's one of many initiatives Penn State has created to teach students the facts about dangerous drinking. "We wanted to create an online program that would have greater relevance to our students," said Damon Sims, Penn State's vice president for Student Affairs. "So far, students have found it to be straightforward and have offered positive feedback. I'm optimistic about the potential outcomes from this effort."
PSU SAFE replaces an online alcohol education program Penn State implemented in 2008, but is more cost-efficient and more tailored to Penn State students and takes about half the time to finish. (more)
High-risk drinking is a nationwide concern that takes the lives of more than 1,800 U.S. college students each year. Education is a top priority at Penn State and that includes teaching students about the risks and impact of dangerous drinking behavior. Since last fall, a number of initiatives have been instituted in a multi-pronged approach that includes environmental change, enforcement, alternative activities, intervention, counseling and outreach. (more)
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, the HUB-Robeson Center on Penn State's University Park campus comes alive with the activities of LateNight-PennState, and Friday, Feb. 11, was no exception. Between heart-shaped boxes for Valentine's Day, games and live student performances, students interested in an alcohol-free evening of fun had a host of options. Other activities in the past have included feature film presentations, live performances by prominent musicians, and swing & salsa dancing. For photos of Friday's activities, visit http://live.psu.edu/stilllife/2426 online. (more)
Weekly meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous are being held on Fridays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. in room 105 of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on the University Park campus. The meetings are open to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking and who wants to learn how to live a sober and responsible life without alcohol. (more)
Penn State's University Faculty Senate on Tuesday (Dec. 7) received an expansive overview of efforts by the University to combat excessive alcohol consumption, and revised the 60 year-old academic freedom policy to define the term and reflect developments in technology and higher education. (more)
As part of Penn State's continuing effort to curb high-risk student drinking, members have been chosen for the newly-formed Student Alcohol Advisory Committee. Selected from a diverse pool of applicants, committee members represent more than 15 constituency groups. Beginning in mid-October, these students will meet periodically throughout the semester with the vice president for Student Affairs, Damon Sims, to provide advice and counsel on University policies and practices relating to alcohol. The committee also will review and discuss various programs, services and initiatives designed to mitigate the effects of dangerous drinking among Penn State students. The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs thanks all who applied to serve on this committee. For more information, contact Emil L. Cunningham at emil@psu.edu. (more)
