IFC does not fear warnings of an LCE presence at Fling

InterFraternity Council chapters do not seem concerned about the effects of the Pennsylvania State Police's Liquor Control Enforcement Bureau's probable presence at next month's Spring Fling. In the aftermath of the LCE's raid of the Palladium early Wednesday morning --Ein which 33 students were cited for underage drinking -- Director of University Operations Maureen Rush said she expects the LCE to return to campus during several upcoming social events, including Fling. Last year, a University request that the LCE patrol campus during Fling led to 94 Penn students receiving citations for underage drinking and possession of fake IDs. InterFraternity Council President Matt Baker said he was "basically disturbed? that the University or the Penn Police Department finds in necessary to call in the LCE." The College and Engineering junior and Alpha Chi Rho brother added that police have more important issues on which to focus than nailing "Ivy League students -- who work their butts off -- the one weekend they decide to relax." Despite the large number of citations issued last year, fraternity houses were not punished during the raids. And IFC members said they will react strongly if the LCE issues any injunctions against houses this year. "If for some reason they decide to target houses, there's going to be some problems they don't want to deal with," Baker said. He added that fraternity members plan to send letters to the editor to major national newspapers "outlining basically how Penn sucks" if houses are punished. But with fraternities still struggling to find funding for their Fling parties, the LCE might not find have the opportunity to raid many such events. Fraternities have had to dip into their individual social budgets to fund spring parties after University administrators -- citing a Pennsylvania law making it illegal for fraternities to charge admission to social events --Emandated that all open house events be held free of charge. "Right now we have no money [although] we did get away with charging for half a semester [so] some houses aren't totally broke," Baker said. He added that there is "not really a guarantee that [fraternity parties held during Fling] will be huge blowout[s]." And some traditional parties have been cut from the event's social agenda. After throwing free parties this semester, Sigma Alpha Mu does not have enough money to run "Jam with SAM" at Fling, according to SAM social chairperson Matt Hasson. "Every party we throw now, we have to eat the costs," the Wharton sophomore added. But many of the houses which traditionally throw the largest parties have made it a point to set money aside for their Fling events. Tau Epsilon Phi social chairperson Craig Holzer said his brothers are planning to throw a party just as big as last year's. "Fling's the best time all year," the College junior said. But he added, "I think [University President] Judy [Rodin] has made too many rules."