Alcohol ban not lifted for Spring Fling

The provost-appointed alcohol task force chose not to create special rules for the upcoming Fling weekend. At the fifth meeting of the provost-appointed alcohol task force yesterday afternoon -- scheduled specifically to discuss the alcohol policies surrounding Spring Fling -- the committee decided not to recommend lifting the temporary ban on alcohol use or implement any new policies for the upcoming weekend. Though the committee did not pass any tangible resolutions at yesterday's meeting, officials did announce a variety of non-alcoholic events designed to provide students with social options for the weekend. According to Provost Robert Barchi, the committee -- composed of 14 students and seven faculty and staff members -- discussed modifying the ban on alcohol for Fling but chose to focus instead on developing its long-term alcohol policy. Barchi said the recommendations for a new alcohol policy will be submitted to University President Judith Rodin over the next few weeks. Several committee members said they support the decision to keep the ban and focus on the long-term policy changes. Wharton senior and committee member Jeff Snyder, formerly the InterFraternity Council's vice president for rush, said the committee unanimously decided not to create new policies for Fling. "We feel that the long-term interest of the University would not be served by creating a policy just for this weekend," he said, adding that any new policy "that was well thought out would not be effectively implemented." Panhellenic Council President Becca Iverson, a College junior, added that the committee has "all these great ideas" for the new policy, but that they don't want to release it until it is fully developed. At a task force meeting last week, Rodin approved a resolution for increased non-alcoholic programming at Fling. And although the alcohol ban will be in place over Fling, committee members stressed that students can attend a wide array of University-sponsored events to have a fun and safe weekend. Other events now planned for the weekend -- sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life -- include an expanded Spring Fling Carnival in Hamilton Village, free movie tickets to The Mod Squad and The Matrix at Cinemagic on Saturday night and a Fling Fitness Fest Sunday morning from midnight to 2 a.m. at the Katz Fitness Center in Gimbel Gymnasium. The Tangible Change Committee already announced additional Fling programming last week, including a barbeque Saturday morning from midnight to 2 a.m. and a pancake breakfast Sunday morning at the same time. Iverson said the committee wants students to be aware of the various activities scheduled for this weekend, whether they choose to attend or not. "There definitely will be students who want to play midnight basketball and students who want to go to parties," she said, adding that "we want to create multiple options." Barchi said that "safety and security of students was a paramount issue" for the committee and will be the chief concern as the committee evaluates alcohol abuse at Penn and tries to create the new policy. He added that he hopes the committee can find an effective plan "without the Draconian measures of being a dry campus." Rodin approved several committee resolutions after the two task force meetings last week. On Tuesday, she approved a measure allowing student organizations to hold events -- such as fraternity and sorority formals and charity functions -- at establishments that serve alcohol. On Thursday, in addition to approving the creation of more non-alcoholic programming during Fling, Rodin agreed to a recommendation permitting Senior Week to continue as scheduled.

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