Penn State Offers Alternative to Alcohol-Related Activities
August 24, 2000
University Park, Pa. —Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night during the semester, the University's HUB-Robeson Cultural Center is jumping, jiving and wailing with alcohol-free entertainment from dancing, film and concerts to table tennis, video games and crafts.

LateNight Penn State was developed in 1996 as an alternative to alcohol-related activities on weekends and complements other alcohol-free activities on campus, such as sports and residence hall activities and has been successful with both students and administrators.

LateNight Penn State offers free cultural events and movies from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursday night and free movies, dances, concerts, comedy, board games, video games, magic and arts and crafts 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Most events are sponsored or hosted by student organizations and are made possible by a student activity fee. This past year, more than 63,700 students attended LateNight programs compared to 38,973students in 1997-98.

"Some of the events that have been phenomenal hits with the students include the creative crafts activity, where the students create hands-on art projects such as paint-your-own-pottery, jewelry making, stamp making, and more," says John Harlow, Assistant Director Student Activities. Swing and salsa dances, live music of all types, table tennis, and novelty acts including a hypnotist, fantasy photos, side show artists and magicians are also very popular.

The idea for the program came from a September 1996 discussion of alcohol consumption on and off campus among President Graham B. Spanier, University Student Government leaders and student representatives. With the support of President Spanier, the students began to plan evening programs and securing funding.

A recent survey of University students indicates that the demand for alcohol-free programming is high. More than 75 percent of those surveyed said LateNight activities contributed positively to the Penn State environment and 80 percent said that it was a good example of having fun without alcohol. More than two thirds of the respondents said LateNight activities resulted in less drinking for themselves.

The program has grown from 1 event per evening to a minimum of 5. Thursday night programming was added this past spring. Earlier this year, LateNight Penn State was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a model alcohol and drug prevention program on college campuses. Other colleges and universities, including Michigan State University, have adopted similar programs.

Harlow says that the progress of LateNight Penn State has been astounding and wonderful to observe. He said that this type of programming is widely recognized as one of the key elements to nurturing a culture at a university that does not center on alcohol consumption. In addition, LateNight provides a necessary venue for quality, affordable entertainment for students who are already financially strapped."

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Contact Amy Neil, Department of Public Information at (814) 865-7517 or at . John Harlow, Assistant Director Student Activities, at (814) 863-4659 or at .