Grant Received to Curb Underage Drinking

The three campuses of Commonwealth University (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities) are each receiving $40,000 from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to help curb underage drinking.

The Commonwealth University (CU) grants are part of nearly $3.4 million awarded to 97 schools, community organizations, municipalities, law enforcement, nonprofits, for-profits, and colleges and universities to "reduce underage and dangerous alcohol consumption," the PLCB announced. The funds are provided through the 2022-24 Alcohol Education Grant Program.

CU's grants will be administered by the Office of Campus Life.

• At Bloomsburg, the grant money will fund National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Certified Peer Educator Training; Bystander Intervention Training; increased enforcement patrols; National Liquor Law Enforcement Association membership.
• At Lock Haven, the grant monies will be used for presentations; NASPA Certified Peer Education training; PLCB's Alcohol Awareness for Student Leaders and Influencers Training; a social media campaign; and Bystander Intervention Training.
• At Mansfield the grant money will be used for presentations; NASPA Certified Peer Education training; PLCB's Alcohol Awareness for Student Leaders and Influencers Training; social media; Bystander Intervention training.

Marty Wygmans, vice president for student success and campus life, thanked those who created the grant proposals for each campus.

"My sincere thanks to all those who worked diligently to submit the successful grant proposals to the PLCB," Wygmans said. "This money will be well spent on training, education, and the tools needed to help curb these issues related to underage and dangerous drinking that impacts the health, safety, and educational process of our students."

"Funding projects that support alcohol education and promote public health and safety is a vital part of our mission," said PLCB Chairman Tim Holden. "Since 1999, the PLCB has awarded $21.1 million in alcohol education grants to prevent underage and irresponsible drinking."

In addition to the provision of millions of dollars in alcohol education grants to communities, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies, the PLCB works to educate the public about the dangers of underage and dangerous drinking through a variety of other avenues, including a free annual alcohol educational conference, an award-winning prevention campaign - Know When. Know How - targeted to underage drinking, the creation and distribution of a wide range of educational materials, Responsible Alcohol Management Program training and resources for licensees, and training and technical assistance for organizations working to address the issues related to irresponsible consumption.

The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities under the banner of Commonwealth University is a bold investment in the communities and people of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners. We're building a powerful tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public higher education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs. Together we're honoring our history, investing in today, and building a powerful tomorrow. That's the power of three.