State College Borough and Penn State are once again collaborating on efforts to curb State Patty’s Day problems.
The student-created drinking holiday traditionally occurs the weekend between THON and the university’s spring break. This year is expected to be the same, with the informal event happening this weekend, primarily on Saturday.
In response, the borough and university will be rolling out measures similar to previous years to tamp down crime and safety issues associated with the event, which have waned since State Patty’s began in 2007.
University, borough, state and local township police “will maintain a strong presence throughout the weekend,” according to a Penn State news release.
In a letter to the State College Tavern Owners Association, Borough Manager Tom Fountaine and Penn State Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Andrea Dowhower once again requested that bars not offer State Patty’s Day drink specials, extended hours or themed promotions.
“A proactive approach to discourage participation in this event is utilized to help reduce problematic behaviors,” Fountaine said. “It is critical to reduce high-risk and dangerous drinking that impacts community resources such as Mount Nittany Medical Center, University and borough police resources and EMS workers, along with the overall well-being of the community, including students and long-term residents.”
Residence halls will be limited to one guest per room, and fraternities and sororities also have been asked to voluntarily limit social events with alcohol.
Penn State fraternities last year were permitted to host registered social events during State Patty’s Day weekend for the first time in more than a decade. The Interfraternity Council, which governs 36 fraternity chapters, wrote in a statement that “registered socials are significantly more organized, responsible and safer” than unsanctioned events because of accompanying guidelines and monitoring.
The move drew concern from Penn State and borough officials, who said that fraternities had demonstrated leadership by voluntarily limiting social events to reduce the impact of the weekend on the Highlands neighborhood and the community.
Fraternities voluntarily banned registered social events after the notorious 2011 State Patty’s Day. That year State College and Penn State police reported a combined 309 arrests between midnight on Friday and midnight on Sunday of State Patty’s weekend.
As work to mitigate the issues continued, the intervening years saw a dramatic decrease in crime and ambulance calls during the weekend.
It’s not clear what effect fraternity parties may have had last year, but in 2021, the last year for which statistics were made available, there were 36 arrests during State Patty’s Day weekend, the lowest on record and the culmination of a steady decline.
Apartment and house parties have also been a concern, and off-campus property managers have again been asked to discourage parties, have extra staff on hand and to quickly notify police of any issues.
State College and Penn State police sent a letter to borough residents asking them to limit guests, prevent anyone from throwing items from their balconies, avoid serving large quantities of alcohol, ensure no alcohol is served to anyone under 21, keep noise to a reasonable level and keep the exterior of properties free from trash.
Uniformed and plain-clothes officers will be patrolling downtown.
“We are advising you of these concerns now, with hopes that you will refrain from engaging in behaviors that violate the law or University policy, restrict visitors to your apartment or homes this weekend, and join your friends and neighbors in helping maintain a safe and peaceful atmosphere throughout the weekend,” the letter stated.
Any Penn State student charged during the weekend, on or off campus, will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response for disciplinary action, according to the university.
The university also reminded students that Pennsylvania’s Medical Amnesty Law and Penn State’s Responsible Action Protocol “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.”
“Our priority, this weekend and every other, is to keep our community as safe as possible,” Dowhower said in a statement. “While historically this event has created challenges, we hope our strong partnerships with the students and community will help combat any disruptive or damaging behavior. Our hope is for a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone.”
The State College Parking Office will not grant any overnight parking permissions for the weekend and event rates of $2.25 per hour will be in effect at garages and surface lots for parking sessions lasting more than three hours.
