U. prepares to enforce alcohol rules at Fling

For some Penn students, the sweetest thing at Spring Fling may be the abundance of alcohol. But for the University Police and the state Liquor Control Enforcement Bureau, the three-day event will instead present the challenge of curbing underage drinking. Penn Police, Philadelphia Police, and LCE agents will be on site to ensure that alcohol will not be present at the Fling venues -- Hill field, Hill College House and the Quadrangle. "The rules are the same as last year. All Fling events are alcohol-free whether you're 21 or not," Director of College Houses and Academic Services David Brownlee said. Police patrols will be beefed up to promote liquor control enforcement at various Fling events, according to University Chief of Police Maureen Rush, the interim vice president for public safety. "We are going to have a visible law enforcement presence through the weekend, but we want to facilitate fun too," Rush said. "We've found for the most part that people know what they can and cannot do," she added. Packages will be inspected for alcohol prior to entering the Quad or Hill College House. At all other college houses, package inspections will only occur if a security officers suspect that alcohol is being concealed by a minor. While students of legal drinking age will be allowed to drink in their residences, alcohol will be prohibited on all event grounds. Kegs with any amount of beer will not be allowed in any University-managed undergraduate residences. Those found with alcohol at Spring Fling events will receive citations from University Police, which would likely result in a fine or an alcohol awareness class and the revoking of the cited student's driver's license, regardless of which state issued the license. University Police will also work with area bars to help implement liquor control laws. Local bars have cooperated with the University for liquor control enforcement efforts, according to Rush. Rush also noted that the increased enforcement over the last couple of years has resulted in fewer aggravated assaults throughout Spring Fling weekend. Eighteen students received citations from the state LCE bureau and Penn Police last year, which was similar to previous years. Students who received disorderly conduct citations last Fling did so for failing to cooperate with the University Police officers that were trying to control the excited crowds. In addition, six students were sent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with alcohol-related illnesses, although none were in serious condition. Last year's festivities were marred predominantly by two events -- the police break-up of parties on the 3900 block of Baltimore Avenue and at the Zeta Psi fraternity house at 3337 Walnut Street. These events took place early Friday and Saturday mornings, respectively.