EDITORIAL & OPINION: Marked progress on alcohol issue

Specifically, we applaud the balance struck by the committee between two oft-contradictory imperatives -- preserving the health and safety of students and complying with applicable laws and regulations -- within the context of a third principle: that students are and ought to be responsible for their own actions. That balance is reflected on the one hand in proposed educational programming -- giving students the ability to make informed decisions -- and in the stress placed on providing real alternatives to alcohol-related activities. On the other hand, it underlies the report's reiteration of the need for a consistent and appropriate regulatory structure with commensurate penalties for violators. Several specific proposals do a great deal to achieve these objectives: · The recommended clarification of University policy to guarantee immunity from citation for students seeking, or helping friends seek, medical attention. · The formalization of a student-consultation structure, the Alcohol Rapid Response Team. · The recommended creation of an Alcohol Coordinator position and, more broadly, the effort to consolidate various alcohol-awareness efforts. It bears noting that this has been previously proposed and we hope that the administration will now seize the opportunity to act on the suggestion. · The consistent recognition that alcohol-related issues affect all students, reflected in the extension of regulatory measures and awareness training to non-Greek organizations. There are, of course, other considerations at play -- and appropriately so. The recommended ban on hard alcohol at registered undergraduate parties and the increased role foreseen for external monitors at such events reflect the importance of regulation in fostering an environment conducive to responsible consumption. In responding to the report, we ask administrators to bear in mind that selective implementation would be a grave mistake, failing to reflect the counterbalanced nature of the report's component parts. Furthermore, we expect that Penn will honor its commitment to this process by making the necessary capital investment in the committee's recommendations. Equally, we urge students to take advantage of the opportunity to communicate views and concerns to the Office of the President. Finally, we would reiterate the crucial role students will play in the ultimate success of any plan to combat alcohol abuse. You have again been granted the opportunity to drink responsibly. Seize hold.