The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control announced yesterday that it will give the University $7,500 for alcohol prevention during the 2003-2004 school year.

ABC earmarked Operation Undergrad grants for eight Virginia colleges. In addition to the University, George Mason, JMU, Shenandoah University, University of Richmond, VCU, Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee received the grants.

The objective of Operation Undergrad, is to help colleges reduce underage and excessive drinking by providing extra money during a lean economic time and encouraging collaboration among law enforcement departments in order to increase police presence, ABC Education Coordinator Ashley Lombard said in an ABC release.