Combating alcohol abuse on campus Last spring, Bucknell announced a 10-point Program to Reduce Alcohol Abuse. The program was launched partly in response to concerns raised by the 1997 Harvard Alcohol Study, which revealed a high incidence of heavy drinking at Bucknell. So far, three dry events have been held, and all were well received by students. Public safety has reassigned duties so that more officers are patrolling campus on foot and checking events more frequently. New alcohol sanctions took effect this year, providing penalties that escalate in severity for repeated offenses.
Offenses accumulate from year to year, rather than starting fresh each fall semester as in the past.
In January, a new policy took effect that allows the university to notify parents after the second violation of an alcohol offense, either on campus or downtown. The policy seems to have had some impact, with only a few parents notified to date. The university is working with students to create new traditions on campus, such as the Chrysalis Ball, held this spring for the second year, and the Masquerade Ball, held for the first time last Halloween. Nevertheless, the problem is severe and remains severe. It will require all our efforts to improve the situation.