Campus groups team up for Fling-like welcome back party

While individual students are busy arranging their schedules for the fall semester, several campus organizations have been working to arrange a four-day University-wide extravaganza to welcome students back. On September 18-21, the Office of Student Life will join with student government and alumni groups to sponsor the "There's No Place Like Penn" weekend, complete with concerts, movies and other activities. The Undergraduate Assembly's Committee for Tangible Change initiated the project last spring as a means to kick off the year and unite campus groups, UA Vice Chairperson Samara Barend said. "There aren't many activities that bring all the students of Penn together," the College junior explained. "Spring Fling is once a year." Organizers, however, say the new weekend is not an attempt to duplicate Spring Fling. The event should be on a much smaller scale and less centralized than the Quadrangle-based Fling. The festivities begin Thursday night with a double feature movie on College Green. And Friday night, a concert in the Quad will feature the band Fathead and possibly other local acts. "I like to bring new music to the school -- bands that people wouldn't normally see," said Wharton senior Allison Rosen, director of the Student Planning and Events Committee's concert committee. Saturday, the Department of Recreation will sponsor a bed race in Superblock, the Residential Advisory Board and Chats will host a brunch on Locust Walk, and the General Alumni Society will organize a post-game Grill n' Chill on Saturday after the Penn-Dartmouth football game. And to conclude the weekend, the Class Boards will sponsor excursions for each class Sunday. "It's such a varied weekend," Rosen said. "I'm sure something will appeal to everyone." The security for this event will not reach the proportions of Fling, and the University will "just take the normal precautions for special events," according to Kim Allen of the Office of Student Life. There will, however, be one or two additional Spectaguards available at the Quad to check bags for alcohol. No containers will be allowed inside. The Committee for Tangible Change and the office of the Vice Provost for University Life will take charge of advertising the weekend. A World Wide Web site with a schedule of events can be accessed at http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~oslaf/like- penn.html. "It's the first of a big tradition," Barend said. "This is something we could carry on and could last."