MSU’s Campus Connections Program will receive $30,000 from the Michigan Department of Community Health this year - $9,000 less than last year.

This program provides nondrinking social opportunities for students at MSU and at other public universities statewide. Freshmen and upperclassmen mentors gather for events through the program.

MSU Student Life Assistant Director Shelia Higgs Burkhalter said about 500 students registered for the program last year.

“I doubt it will affect what we’re able to offer,” she said. “We can pretty much still offer the same kinds of programs because we’re staying closer to home - we don’t need the extra money for transportation. There were lots of cuts in state funding across the board.

“It’s a short program - it typically starts during fall welcome week and all activities are done by the last day of September.”

The program was created in part to curb binge drinking, said Geralyn Lasher, spokeswoman for the community health department. A recent Harvard School of Public Health study said 44 percent of college students admitted binge drinking within the previous two weeks of the survey. The study defined binge drinking as four or more drinks in a row for women, or five or more for men.

“The department worked with the universities to provide this funding and provide different alternatives for students,” she said. “There is an important transition for incoming freshman. This is showing through other upperclassmen that there are other activities as an alternative to drinking alcohol.”

Be Responsible About Drinking spokeswoman Cindy McCue said she thinks students have been receptive to the program. In 1998, her son Bradley McCue, an MSU parks and recreation junior, died after drinking 24 shots to celebrate his 21st birthday.

“I think it’s important for these people who are in it,” McCue said. “It’s their way to address the issue.”