Panic, Quad Residents! Bag Checks Start Tomorrow

Penn is sneaky. A tipster forwarded us a lengthy email sent tonight to all students living in university housing, warning that spring fling bag checks will begin tomorrow. Of course, the email was sent at 10 PM -- in other words, after liquor stores are closed.

Since many Spring Fling events are held inside the Quad, no one may enter the Quad with any alcohol containers, sealed or unsealed, starting Friday, April 3.  During official Fling hours, Friday & Saturday, 11am - 6pm, ONLY empty BEVERAGE CONTAINERS that are open will be allowed into the Quad.

All bags coming into the Quad will be checked from Friday, April 3 at 8am through Sunday, April 19 at 10am.  To keep lines moving, please have your book bags and any other packages ready for inspection before entering, along with your PennCard or other required ID. Carts were banned from use at the Quad as of March 17th, so anyone trying to enter or exit the Quad with a cart will be prohibited from doing so.

Anyone bringing alcohol into other (non-Quad) College Houses and Sansom Place residences should be prepared, as always, to show ID for proof of age.

Check out the entirety of the buzz-kill email after the jump.

Many residents will be taking part in the numerous activities during Spring Fling weekend, April 17 - 19. To ensure that the experience is a pleasant and memorable one for you, the following guidelines have been established for the period of Friday April 3 - Sunday, April 19. For more information visit the Social Planning and Events Committee (SPEC) website at http://specevents.net.

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All Spring Fling events are alcohol-free; Penn alcohol policies and Pennsylvania state laws will be enforced.

Police citations will be issued for any violations of policies or laws.  However, no student seeking medical assistance in a drug or alcohol related medical emergency, nor any friends assisting that student, will be penalized for the sole violation of using or possessing alcohol or drugs.

This amnesty does not extend to violent or criminal behavior while under the influence.  Please review the Medical Amnesty Policy at http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/library/drugs/amnesty.htm

************************************************************************ Since many Spring Fling events are held inside the Quad, no one may enter the Quad with any alcohol containers, sealed or unsealed, starting Friday, April 3.  During official Fling hours, Friday & Saturday, 11am - 6pm, ONLY empty BEVERAGE CONTAINERS that are open will be allowed into the Quad.

All bags coming into the Quad will be checked from Friday, April 3 at 8am through Sunday, April 19 at 10am.  To keep lines moving, please have your book bags and any other packages ready for inspection before entering, along with your PennCard or other required ID. Carts were banned from use at the Quad as of March 17th, so anyone trying to enter or exit the Quad with a cart will be prohibited from doing so.

Anyone bringing alcohol into other (non-Quad) College Houses and Sansom Place residences should be prepared, as always, to show ID for proof of age.

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Starting Wednesday, April 15 at 5pm and through Sunday, April 19 at 10am, no Housing guest passes will be issued in the Quad, and no guest sign-ins will occur at the Quad gates.

The only acceptable pass for Quad visitors during this period is the Spring Fling Guest Pass. Spring Fling Guest passes are $20 and will be on sale Monday April 5 - Wednesday April 15 from 10 am - 4 pm outside the Office of Student Life, Room 200 in Houston Hall. No Fling guest passes will be sold after 4 pm on Wednesday, April 15th.  In order to obtain a Guest Pass, you must print out, sign, and bring the Guest Pass Rules to the OSL at the time of purchase.  Please visithttp://specevents.net to print out these rules or for more guest pass information.

Do NOT forget your Penn ID.  Anyone unable to present either a valid Penn ID or Spring Fling Guest Pass between Wednesday, April 15 at 5pm and Sunday, April 19 at 10am will not be admitted into the Quad. All guests must have a Spring Fling Guest Pass, photo ID, and be accompanied by their host in order to enter the Quad.

All Spring Fling Guest Passes must clearly indicate the identity of the pass cardholder as well as the Penn student host.  A pass cardholder must also possess and be ready to show a photo ID.

While inside the Quad, all Penn students and visitors may be required to show either Penn ID or a Spring Fling Guest Pass along with picture ID.  A person who cannot show proper identification will be removed from the Quad.  In addition, all Quad visitors must be with their College House host except during official Fling hours, i.e., between 11am and 6pm Friday and Saturday.

********************************************************************** PLEASE use common sense about your personal safety and belongings during Spring Fling: Remember to LOCK YOUR DOORS and do not leave personal items unattended. Report suspicious behavior to the Penn Police at 511 or (215) 573-3333 Throwing or hanging things outside windows is prohibited. Climbing through windows or occupying building ledges, parapets, walls, and roofs is prohibited.  See the Residential Handbook at http://www.upenn.edu/housing for details. Residents are advised not to leave bicycles in the Quad during Fling.  Bike racks will be provided outside the Quad near the 37th Street Gate.

During official Fling hours, any Fling-related inquiries or concerns should be directed to the Spring Fling Office in McClelland Hall, or to roaming Spring Fling staff who will be easily recognizable, wearing staff t-shirts and staff IDs.

Finally, PD Express will not be available on Friday April 17 in McClelland Hall.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding. It has been an honor to plan this year's Spring Fling for you.  Please help us make it a success by having a wonderful and safe Fling!

Sincerely, Spring Fling Directors Amber Calloway '10 George Stein '10 Jayme Van Oot '11