More than just frat-hopping during NSO nights?

Taking the concept of the "social Ivy" to heart, some students spend their NSO stumbling down Beige Block, while others opt to stay in with cocoa and online Scrabble.

The Undergraduate Assembly believes a happy medium exists between the two.

The UA is developing more diverse late-night activity options for freshmen hoping to taste the Penn party scene during next fall's NSO.

College sophomore Alec Webley, the UA member charged with sketching out the plans, envisions a "more diverse social experience with a greater scope of activities."

Current plans include two separate events that would appeal to all students, yet still rival the "allure of off-campus parties and ... of illegality that will always pique student interests," said Webley.

Tentative plans include an off-campus concert featuring local musicians hosted by the Social Planning and Events Committee, as well as a collaborative event involving a number of student groups that have not traditionally been involved in NSO events but wish to be.

"We're looking to host a constellation of niche groups," said Webley. "The event would essentially be by students, for students."

Since Penn historically has scheduled few events between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., the UA hopes the new options will promote safer and healthier alternatives for party-goers, as well as provide an outlet for those who may be wary of the fraternity scene, he said.

Webley also noted that the UA intends to coordinate with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to provide a combination of wet and dry frat houses during NSO.

The plans must undergo approval by several University officials before the UA, SPEC and other student organizations can expand upon the concept, he said.

While the UA plans to keep the project entirely devoted to student interests, he said he would not mind collaborating with the college houses.

Harrison College House Dean Frank Pellicone noted that a partnership could lead to positive late-night programing. However, he said the administration devotes significant planning to the week-long calendar and stressed the need to avoid any time conflicts in the NSO schedule.

"We need to make sure that everyone is awake and alert," he said.

In contrast, Du Bois College House Dean Trish Williams said she avoids scheduling any house events during NSO.

"I want to encourage my freshman to attend other on-campus events so that they can get to know the campus while interacting with other new students," she wrote in an e-mail.

Since the events would not be mandatory or University-run, Webley expects students to view the plans more favorably. "It wouldn't seem as if a parent was looking over your shoulder the entire time," he said.