University of Pennsylvania has hired students to act as “event observers” or undercover party-goers whose sole job is to attend campus events and report those involving alcohol.
According to the position’s job flyer obtained by the Daily Pennsylvanian student newspaper, event observers are only scheduled to work on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and can expect a compensation of $35 an hour.
Working alongside the University of Pennsylvania campus police, an event observer’s prime objective is to enforce a set of newly introduced university guidelines that put higher restrictions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Ivy League campus.
“Event Observers contribute to campus efforts to reduce the risk of alcohol and other drug use at student social events, ensuring that required risk management efforts are in place at registered student events,” the flyer read.
“The practices [of implementing event observers] that we have been undertaking in regards to off-campus activities and to address off-campus behaviors were included under the old policies,” Rob Nelson, executive director for Education and Academic Planning for the vice provost for University Life at Penn, stated. “The new policies clarify some of those things.”
The new policies at Penn include the following:
- All registration forms must be submitted seven days prior to events with alcohol and three days for dry events.
- Hosts have to pay for both a university-approved bartender and two security guards for events with alcohol.
- Hard liquor is only allowed for parties with a pre-set guest list of 150 people or fewer.
- No more than two types of hard liquor can be stocked at the bar and they can only be served in single-serving mixed drinks that Penn approves. No shots.
- Each of-age guest is only allowed four mixed drinks.
The Orwellian role of the event observers come into play anytime a campus event is “escalating in risk,” indicating some presence of alcohol or drug use.
According to the Pennsylvanian, event observers have already shut down a number of parties, charity events, and even study sessions exempt of any alcohol.
University of Pennsylvania did not respond to Red Alert Politics’ request for comment.
