Lewis and Dean of Students Archie C. Epps IIIsaid recent events at Penn would not affectHarvard's policies. But Penn students pointed outthat their school's crackdown follows policyreviews nationwide last fall as colleges respondedto several alcohol-related undergraduate deaths.

On October 23, 1997, for example, Lewis andEpps established a revised alcohol policy askingstudents, administrators and local alcohol vendersto work towards a "no tolerance" policy on alcoholabuse.

"If anything, [Penn's] not really thetrend-setter here." Metzl said. "It would notsurprise me to see the steps Penn has takenreflected on other college campuses across thecountry."

Fast Track to a Solution

In the meantime, Barchi has created a workinggroup of 14 students and five administrators andprofessors to help develop a new policy on alcoholat Penn.

Meeting at least once a week, members said thegroup is dedicated to devising a solution that canwork.

Metzl, one of the group's student members, saidthe administration has created a window ofopportunity so it can focus on problems withPenn's drinking scene.

"From our discussions last week, theadministration seems to be very concerned withalcohol abuse," he said.

The first meeting, held the same day as therally, was productive, according to group members.

"We defined the problem and set up guidelinesfor our meetings," Metzl said. In contrast to pastattempts at cooperation between students andadministrators, "everyone was open and sincereabout their feelings," he said.

Last night, the working group's second meetingresulted in its first proposal, which concernsalcohol distribution by third-party vendors atoff-campus events.

According to Snyder, the task force unanimouslyapproved the proposal, which President Rodin beganreviewing last night. At press time, Rodin had notannounced whether or not she had given theproposal her approval.

"Everyone in the room, includingadministrators, wants to see the ban lifted assoon as possible," Snyder said. "We're lifting itpiece-by-piece right now. There's going to beprogress, but there's no way of speculating howlong the ban will last.