This fall, hot topics about college have included two big problems: binge drinking and sexual assault. Neither problem is new and schools have previously tried to deal with them but to little avail. Because they’re getting lots of attention, however, it’s essential for college leaders to look concerned and busy finding solutions. In today’s Pope Center piece, Harry Painter writes about the flurry of activity in that regard at UNC.

Although “numerous policies are already in place across the UNC system to curb binge drinking,” Painter writes, officials “believe there is more to do.” Thus, UNC is — wait for it — assembling a new committee to make recommendations.

Sadly, one change that might actually make a difference is off the table, namely changing the policy that supposedly prevents underage drinking. Painter writes, “When students who want to drink are threatened with punishment for tailgating or are unable to buy beer at the game, they ‘pregame,’ which means binge drinking at home before leaving for the event. If the goal is to prevent tragedies, allowing open and controlled drinking is more likely to do that.”

Bad stuff happens on college campuses all the time, but occasionally media attention creates the “we have better look like we’re doing something” mindset in top officials, so they create committees and issue reports and announce new policies that do little or no good except to take the heat off for a while.