Brochure outlines U. alcohol policy, new campus events

The brochure, jointly developed by the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life, stems from an alcohol task force recommendation calling for an increase in non-alcohol social programming and the implementation of educational opportunities. College senior Emily Pollack, a member of the Penn and Philly working group that is developing ideas for programs, described the purpose of the brochure as two-fold. "On a very basic level, it's to let students know what's new this year," she said, adding that the pamphlet will also inform students about the "amazing things happening at Penn." Pollack said she thought the brochure's "user-friendly" and informative nature would attract students to pick it up and at least leaf through it. Included in the brochure are descriptions of new social options that will be available this year. Specifically, the brochure mentions the Foundation, a student-initiated musical venue located at the Rotunda at 4012 Walnut Street, which will host concerts and other performing arts events. The brochure also advertises Penn p.m., programs sponsored weekly by each of the 12 college houses which will feature guest speakers, pizza parties and karaoke nights; a new World Wide Web site that provides links to events happening on campus and in Philadelphia; and free weekly late-night openings of Gimbel Gymnasium and of the Moravian CafZs. Three student leaders -- InterFraternity Council President Mark Metzl, Undergraduate Assembly Chairperson Michael Silver and Kite and Key Chairperson Jennifer Brown, all College seniors -- are quoted on the back of the brochure. "I think its primary purpose is to educate," Brown said. The new Web site can be found on-line at http://www.upenn.edu/philly. In response to a series of alcohol-related incidents on campus -- including the alcohol-related death in March of 1994 College graduate Michael Tobin outside a fraternity house -- Provost Robert Barchi appointed an alcohol task force of students, faculty members and administrators. The committee convened weekly and submitted a comprehensive list in late April of 45 recommendations detailing ways in which the University can deter student alcohol-abuse. University President Judith Rodin then approved each of the recommendations this summer. A separate provost-appointed task force has been working on implementing the recommendations.