EDITORIAL & OPINION: Moving toward solutions

Three recommendations from the alcohol task force mark positive progress. The results thus far are encouraging, even though the big-ticket issues -- Spring Fling and open parties -- wait in the wings. The committee should be applauded for moving quickly to restore the presence of alcohol at two categories of events where concerns about unregulated and underage drinking are at a minimum -- Senior Week and parties at off-campus establishments licensed to serve alcohol. The ban on drinking at seniors-only events was clearly swept into one undifferentiated mass of undergraduate events by the original ban and it is encouraging to see the committee recognize that by allowing Senior Week to proceed as planned. The recommendations on off-campus events -- mostly Greek formals, many scheduled for the week after Fling -- also reflect, quite appropriately, the hyper-regulated nature of licensed establishments. The series of measures approved by the committee for such parties, while more restrictive than those previously in place, are not unduly burdensome, and many are already common practice at universities nationwide. Some -- like requiring vendors to sign a statement agreeing to comply with University policies and local, state and federal laws -- may seem obvious. But we are not displeased to see Penn limiting its liability with measures that do not infringe on student behavior. Others, such as the registration and wristband requirements, are standard operating procedure, unlikely to raise too many eyebrows. The last of the committee's recommendations yesterday involved a barbeque to be held on College Green between midnight and 2 a.m. after Friday's concert. In and of itself, the BBQ is another good non-alcoholic alternative for students, part of Tangible Change's mandate to create such opportunities. However, such an event needs to come in the context of a comprehensive set of recommendations for Spring Fling. We look forward to seeing those recommendations and hope they reflect the concern for student interests and the values of moderation and responsibility evident in the committee's meetings thus far.