<p>My friends son attends U. of Scranton and came home for winter break describing the crackdown on drinking. He said that in one weekend there were over 400 citations issued. Does anyone have an idea on why this sudden and radical approach to the drinking at parties? I thought that it seemed a bit much, considering many of these kids could lose financial aid and, get kicked out of their majors.</p>
<p>Also,What is the school doing to provide alternative activities that would provide students with alternatives to attending parties? I have seen this town many times because it is at the half way point when we head to my sons school. They should consider promoting more of a college town feel in the depressed town of Scranton. I can't imagine that students and falculty would not welcome cafes, restaurants and coffee shops.</p>
<p>My friends son who is not a drinker is very concerned about sending her son back because of the P.A law that states an underage person is guilty even if student is not "caught" with alcohol.</p>
<p>May be related?</p>
<p>[There’s</a> a new sheriff on campus at the University of Scranton - News - The Times-Tribune](<a href=“There's a new sheriff on campus at the University of Scranton”>There's a new sheriff on campus at the University of Scranton)</p>
<p>We just visited Scarnton. It doesn’t seem any more depressed than a lot of cities we have visited recently…</p>
<p>momma-three ~ </p>
<p>Yes, my son told me there has been increased enforcement. There had been incidents in the hill section and you know what? Very often drinking had been involved. I see it as making the area safer for everyone. </p>
<p>The PA alcohol laws are tough. Students are informed of them when they start there. PA has what is called “constructive possession” meaning if a student is underage and is present where alcohol is available without any barriers (think off campus house parties) they can be cited for possession even if they have not consumed any. </p>
<p>There are many pizza places and coffee shops right around the campus. There is a mall with a Ground Round and food court within walking distance. There are movie theaters, plus sometimes they have movies in the student center. There is a ski area within a 10 minute drive. Scranton has many clubs of all kinds and service activities as well as an active intramural program. So there are options.</p>
<p>Is it true that the police have used tazers on kids who have run to avoid getting citations? I don’t know if my friends kid is accurate in his perception but he wants to transfer from Scranton. He was so happy about attending and he made a complete turn about.</p>
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<p>Sorry, but something doesn’t jive here. Why would a non drinker be concerned about a crackdown on drinking? Why would this crackdown make them consider leaving?</p>
<p>Sounds like your friend’s kid is not a non-drinker</p>
<p>He is a non drinker but he can not go to a party where alcohol is present or he will be cited with an alcohol offence. He is very uncomfortable with the amount of police presence as a result of this crack down and no longer feels that the police or the school are working to solve these issues. He claims that drinking goes on at all campuses and the idea that they could actually stop it is rediculus…I agree. </p>
<p>If there were issues as a result of the drinking than they need to figure out a way to occupy these students so these problems are resolved.</p>
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<p>What would you like them to do? As I mentioned to you by PM, Scranton does offer many activities, clubs, service opportunities, etc., there are coffee shops and restaurants right around campus, movie theaters, a mall all within walking distance. There is a ski area close by. The rec. center is available. </p>
<p>Scranton can’t force the students to do these things. These kids choose to go to parties (parties being in the off campus houses) where they know alcohol will be available and they know there is a risk that they could be cited. They have been told about the Pennsylvania laws (whether we agree with it or not constructive possession is the state law, not the University of Scranton law) and they choose to take that risk. </p>
<p>Again, what would you like the college to do?</p>
<p>I am not sure I get what the point is in citing students at parties or in walking back to campus from a party. I understand a disorderly student being stopped and then cited but not the type of action that the police and public safety are taking. </p>
<p>I don’t think the school has a bus that goes to the ski slope…maybe they do.</p>