The government wants to curb underage drinking, but Penn says it's already doing everything it wants.
The U.S. Surgeon General's office released a Call to Action report last week, which highlights the threat that underage drinking poses to the country.
The report includes a section devoted to measures that universities should consider to curb underage drinking.
Specifically, the report asks colleges to consider nine measures, including establishing and enforcing rules against underage alcohol consumption, eliminating alcohol sponsorship of campus events, engaging in education campaigns about the consequences of underage drinking and providing opportunities for students to partake in activities that do not include alcohol.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman Jennifer Koentop said the purpose of the recommendations is to bring about public discourse about underage drinking.
"Our hope is that the Call to Action will generate major public-health initiatives within communities across the U.S. - including college campus communities."
But Stephanie Ives, Penn's director of strategic initiatives, said that "the Surgeon General's recommendations are already in effect at Penn and have been for many years."
Ives highlighted the wide range of non-alcoholic social activities advertised in The Daily Pennsylvanian every Thursday and the alcohol-education programs provided to students.
She also said the University does not allow alcohol sponsorship at sporting events, restricts the availability of alcohol on campus and holds student organizations to consistent standards.
Lastly, Ives said the University has intervention programs in place, such as First Step and Say Something, which address high-risk substance use by students.
"As the Surgeon General notes, it is very important to emphasize the curtailing of early alcohol use and abuse of alcohol by adolescents," Ives said. "Educating students during their youth is critical in preventing the development of alcohol-related problems in college."
Penn Alcohol Policy Initiatives-approved bartender Beth Pettet said that not only did she need a bartending license, she and her colleagues were educated in the University's drinking policy and were required to pass a test demonstrating their knowledge of it.
Four alumni between the ages of 25 and 72 must also be present during University parties with alcohol.
Pettet said that she meets with the alumni before the event and exchanges cell phone numbers in case of a problem.
A veteran of fraternity parties, Pettet said that, in her experience, Penn strictly enforces its alcohol policy.
"I had a friend whose name was taken off the list [of pre-approved bartenders] because he gave a drink to a person without a wristband," which indicates the wearer is of the legal age for drinking, Pettet said.
