LCE patrols frats, cites students

Rush says University did not request weekend presence As freshmen experienced the college social scene for the first time this weekend, Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement officials patrolled the campus and cited at least four students for underage drinking. Those citations occurred early Sunday morning at 39th and Spruce streets, according to LCE Operations Director Alfred Campbell. "This was a routine minor patrol," Campbell said. "Three officers were looking for any place they felt underage drinkers would congregate." Wharton senior Adam Small, president of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, said an LCE officer came to the porch of Beta's house at 3900 Spruce Street, found a number of people drinking and issued three citations. "The LCE's presence so early in the year does not set a good precedent," Small said, adding that the busts reminded him of last year's Spring Fling, when the LCE cited 94 students for underage drinking. "These searches need to be more equitable," he added. "Greek houses have a reputation for violating underage drinking laws, but the searches should be throughout campus." Small said he thought the LCE's presence during the first weekend of the semester was "very coincidental" and blamed the University for wanting to "constrict our social life." But Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush said the University had nothing to do with the LCE's weekend patrol, unlike during last year's Fling when the Division of Public Safety requested the LCE's presence on campus. But she confirmed that LCE officers will be on campus throughout the year. "They will be here spot-checking functions that will include alcohol," she said. "There's an understood principle that they have the right to come on campus as they choose." Interfraternity Council President and College senior Josh Gottheimer said the LCE's presence works against University efforts to curb campus underage drinking. "It's counterproductive to have outside enforcement agencies come here and cite students," the Alpha Epsilon Pi brother said. "The Greek community and the University need to form a partnership and work together to solve this problem." Wharton sophomore Clive Anthony Correia, a Phi Kappa Psi brother, said the LCE presence will affect campus social life. "Penn's party scene will be changed, if not seriously hurt, if LCE officials will be here from now on," the sophomore class president said. Correia added that the officers' presence particularly affects freshmen. "I feel bad for any freshman who was cited on Saturday night," Correia said. "This was their first night away from home and they had to deal with this experience." Alpha Tau Omega President Clinton Matter, a Wharton and College senior, said no LCE officers visited ATO, although the fraternity -- like many others -- held an open house Saturday night. Despite student objections, Campbell said the LCE will continue to combat underage drinking at the University. "Underage drinking is a major problem and a major concern of ours," Campbell said. "If we can save somebody's life or limb because we've encouraged them to stop drinking, [then] we do. "We have a no-tolerance enforcement policy," Campbell added.