Cmte. discusses implementing alcohol policies

The group will institute those policies approved by President Rodin. Provost Robert Barchi met yesterday with a small group of administrators and students charged with implementing changes to the University's alcohol policy. A separate provost-appointed task force first met in late March to draft a list of specific recommendations to the University's existing alcohol policy in response to the administration's temporary ban of alcohol at all registered undergraduate events. University President Judith Rodin is currently considering the task force's recommendations, which, if approved, will be implemented by the provost's committee. The committee, comprised of 11 administrators and two student leaders, yesterday discussed possible changes that can be made to the University's existing drug and alcohol policies. It will likely meet bi-weekly throughout the summer to discuss ways in which certain items listed in the task force's 10-page proposal -- which was submitted to Rodin on April 26 -- can be effectively implemented. Both administrators and students stressed that these meetings are extremely preliminary and are designed primarily to build on proposals and suggestions, rather than to establish new policies. Indeed, none of the new recommendations will be implemented until Rodin completes a two-month-long period of consultation -- scheduled to end June 30 -- with the University community. Those recommendations that receive Rodin's approval will then be set before the group for implementation. Barchi said the committee would like to begin implementing the task force's recommendations "as quickly as possible" following the June 30 deadline, adding that the consultation period is "an opportunity for our community to respond to the recommendations of the working group on alcohol abuse." Barchi said that he and Rodin have been speaking to students and reviewing letters and e-mails since the task force submitted its recommendations, noting that the response so far has been mostly positive. "Based on the kinds of responses that we've had to date? we'll move most likely after June 30 to implement the recommendations that were presented to the president by the working group," he said. InterFraternity Council President Mark Metzl, a member of the provost's implementation committee, said the group is hoping to get an early start by contemplating the approved proposals before the beginning of the upcoming academic year. "Even though there's a call for commentary until June 30, the implementation committee has been having preliminary meetings to be sure that we can address the issue properly when the time comes," said Metzl, a College senior. The 21-member provost-appointed alcohol task force began meeting at least once a week beginning March 30 -- shortly after the administration enacted its five-week ban on alcohol at official undergraduate events -- and has since recommended several notable changes to the existing alcohol policy. The group suggested a total ban on hard liquor at all on-campus undergraduate registered events and proposed a stipulation that alcohol distribution end at 1 a.m. at those parties. The specific recommendations all fall under five broad categories: education, ensuring student safety, responsibility and accountability, minimizing risk and expanding social options. Although few can predict exactly what changes will come after June 30, Barchi identified one alteration that will not take place. "There are no plans whatsoever to reinstate the temporary ban," Barchi said. Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson and College senior Michael Silver, also on the implementation committee, said he did not necessarily anticipate any "earth-shattering developments," stressing that this committee is "not going to try to make up new rules as we go along." Rodin had previously announced to the University community that she was open to suggestions throughout the two-month consultation period and encouraged students to e-mail her with specific recommendations. Summer Pennsylvanian news editor Karlene Hanko contributed to this article.