Traditional "Thirsty Thursdays" might be under attack if universities enforce harsher punishments for Friday-class skippers and other suggestions from a team of University of Missouri-Columbia researchers.

According to the report, students tend to drink more on Thursday if they have late Friday classes, and they "drank approximately twice as much on Thursday as students with early Friday classes."

Also, about 18 percent of men and 11 percent of women surveyed were more likely to binge drink if their classes started after 11 a.m., the report said.

From the statistics, the researchers suggested that universities take back Friday as part of the academic week and promote early Friday classes.

Some of their suggestions included promoting professors to hold Friday morning exams or give harsher penalties to students who skip class.

Greg Koehle, a State College Police Department community relations and crime prevention officer, said Thursday night is usually busier than the beginning of the week.

However, he said Thursdays are not quite as busy as Friday and Saturday when alumni and others come into town.

Koehle said if students don't have an incentive to go home early, like an early class or exam, their rational choice is to stay out late.

He added that he doesn't know how much control Penn State has on early Friday classes but thinks it won't make much of a difference.

"Thursday is a big party night and to some students, early classes won't make a difference," Koehle said.

However, Linda LaSalle thinks differently.

LaSalle, the University Health Services coordinator for educational services, said a number of efforts are consistently used by the university to curb excessive drinking, including alcohol intervention programs and LateNight Penn State.

But more needs to be done, she said.

"If students had exams, quizzes or other activities in class during the early morning on Fridays, those students will engage in less drinking," she said.

A subcommittee of Faculty Senate's Student Life Committee is researching a way to curb Penn State's excessive drinking habits, said Dale Holen, a Worthington Scranton campus professor said.

"We need to hold students more accountable for missing classes on Fridays," said Holen, a Faculty Senate member.

He said the subcommittee is putting together ideas to target the drinking.

Right now, the university is not in a position to enforce, but rather suggest ideas to professors until a policy passes.

Some students don't believe anything will stop those wanting their famed "Thirsty Thursdays."

Heather Stone (junior-communication sciences and disorders) said no matter what time of day, what day of the week or if students have early classes, they will still drink if they so choose.

"It's not high school, and students have the right to make their own decisions," Stone said.

Brandon Armstrong (senior-food science) said the university's efforts may curb some drinking.

He also said he thought that with good bar specials and fraternity parties, there won't be enough change to make a huge difference.

"They will drink any other day of the week," said Kaitlin Gurganus (junior-political science).

"What would stop them if they really want to?"