Reducing Underage Drinking: MU Gets Grant to Fund Educational Initiatives

June 2, 2026 - 23:01

Millersville University has secured a $50,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to launch new educational programs aimed at reducing underage drinking on campus. The funding will support a series of workshops, peer-led discussions, and awareness campaigns designed to shift student attitudes toward alcohol consumption.

University officials say the initiative will focus on harm reduction rather than outright prohibition. The goal is to equip students with practical strategies for making safer choices, while also addressing the social pressures that often lead to binge drinking. The programs will include interactive sessions on recognizing alcohol poisoning, understanding blood alcohol content, and navigating peer pressure in party settings.

The grant comes from the PLCB's Bureau of Alcohol Education, which allocates money to colleges and community groups across the state each year. Millersville plans to roll out the first phase of the initiative this fall, targeting first-year students during orientation week. Organizers hope the effort will lead to a measurable drop in alcohol-related incidents, such as hospital transports and campus conduct violations.

This is not the first time Millersville has received such funding, but officials say the new approach will be more data-driven, using surveys and campus police reports to track progress. The university also plans to partner with local bars and off-campus housing complexes to extend the message beyond the classroom.