RE: Other posts about PSU’s current crack-down on drinking at PSU.

I do see the need for our University to shed some of the “excessive partying” rep that we have attained for a while. But is the award-winning combo of HUB late night and strict drinking regulations the solution? This post aims to find that solution.

No, this is not coming from a bookie or nerd looking to complain…I was on the other side of the fence of this topic until recently (hell, you might have even been to a 120 W F party – but you might not remember…)

Thoughts on more creative solutions to altering culture at Penn State? What would the counter-culture to excessive partying look like (if it could be established @PSU).

What do students want to do (forget money and limitations)? Skydiving? More concerts?

I think Penn State is a great University – but I do believe our student-established culture of excessive partying is keeping us from being the excellent University that we should be.

See below for the context and my post on this.

In response to http://bit.ly/ihLlWh
Interesting issue. I am not sure how effective the University’s recent ‘cracking down’ will be. The more students are treated like kids, the more they will act like kids. How individuals identify themselves is at the heart of the issue – if enough students identify themselves a particular way, a cultural identity begins to form. I agree with you in that I too believe that the solution, or the closest thing to one, lies in alternative planning. Namely, finding things that students can find their identities in that are as fun, social, and ‘cool’ as the party scene. One reason why students party excessively is because they are bored (see Dartmouth) and excessive partying, for better or (often) worse bring about fun and entertaining stories. Another reason is that they worry they will not establish as immense of a social network (of the opposite gender, generally) if they do not (noting the success of social media Facebook and twitter). The key towards changing a culture is not slamming the iron fist. This technique usually encourages a revolutionary mind-set. The key is establishing a counter-culture that is just as fun and rewarding. I can personally speak to this because I believe that Innoblue (@realinnoblue) and Beta Theta Pi are making great efforts on these fronts. I see one very tangible step in the right direction that can be made regarding the student activity fee. Allowing fraternities to host dry programs at their houses (message me to find out how I believe allocation procedures can be altered to open up financing for this idea). If the Greek culture can be altered a bit, it will be much easier to transform the rest of the campus. Having been a chair on UPAC for 2 years, I will admit that this has to be monitored so that it’s not abused, but I believe it may be more effective than the witch hunt that I foresee taking place very soon.