UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State and State College Borough officials are seeking the cooperation of students and local businesses to address the dangerous drinking activities associated with State Patty’s Day, a social media-generated drinking holiday set for Saturday, Feb. 24.
Students are urged to use good judgment, avoid the high-risk activities associated with State Patty’s Day, and to be good members of the community this weekend. State Patty’s Day annually strains local law enforcement and emergency medical staff; increases vandalism, litter and noise; and is detrimental to the appeal of the campus and downtown State College.
As part of ongoing town-and-gown efforts to curtail the high-risk drinking and damage, Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs, and Borough Manager Tom Fountaine, as co-chairs of the Campus-Community Partnership on Dangerous Drinking, sent a message to downtown restaurants, taverns, bars, and bottle shops this week asking that State Patty's Day be treated like any other Saturday, with no drink specials, extended hours, State Patty's Day-themed promotions, or other activities that amplify the problems the event brings.
“In past years, the collective efforts of many among us, including downtown vendors, have been effective in limiting the problems caused by State Patty’s Day,” the letter states. “Although we understand that responsible vendors in downtown State College are not at all responsible for the problems caused by this event, we also know that your assistance will be instrumental in limiting the harm caused.”
In addition to the letter sent to local businesses that sell and serve alcohol, the following safety measures have been put in place to curtail dangerous activities on Feb. 24:
— IFC fraternities will not be hosting social events with alcohol at their facilities on that day.
— The University’s residence halls are limiting guests to one per room through the weekend.
— A message similar to the letter sent to downtown businesses has been shared with all apartment landlords responsible for facilities in the downtown area.
— Borough and University police are joining forces with other agencies to maintain a robust police presence to address and manage any issues that arise.
In addition, any Penn State student charged with violations during the weekend, including violations that occur both on and off campus, will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for appropriate disciplinary action.
However, students are reminded that local guidelines, including Penn State’s Responsible Action Protocol and Pennsylvania’s Medical Amnesty Law, protect students from prosecution for consumption or possession of alcohol when they seek help for a peer who is passed out, unconscious or unresponsive as the result of over-consumption.
“Even with all these efforts and your assistance, State Patty’s Day is likely to present more challenges for our community than any other day of the year,” wrote Sims and Fountaine. “Emergency medical services may be taxed, other patrons to downtown businesses may be discouraged away, and the community’s reputation could be damaged.
“None of us want those outcomes and we ask that you once again join with us and so many others in doing what you can to combat the disruptive and destructive consequences of State Patty’s Day.”