Party habits may change

Police have not said alcohol was the cause. The district attorney has not said he is going to pursue charges against those who threw the party. But in the wake of a tragedy, many students have said they are going to change their partying practices this weekend.

"When something like that happens it sort of shakes everyone up," said Greg Litcofsky (junior-history). "It makes you remember that you need to be extra careful when you're drinking."

For many, the hardship of last weekend will serve as a reminder that they may not be that far removed from a potential accident.

"I'll be watching out for my friends to make sure they don't get out of control," said Sean Barnak (senior-mechanical engineering).

In the future, safety precautions will be a number-one priority when Scott Jaworski throws a party at his apartment. Jaworski (junior-marketing) said he will take whatever measures necessary to try to prevent accidents.

"I'll try to keep people off the balcony as much as possible," he said. "I think we can all take precautions."

Caution when providing alcohol to those under 21 is also on some students' minds.

Although toxicology reports are not yet completed, witnesses have told police Prevatte had been drinking the night of the accident. Prevatte was only six months shy of the legal drinking age when she died. Those six months have landed the people who allegedly provided alcohol during the party at the apartment from which she fell in potential legal trouble.

Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar and the State College Police Department still have not decided whether to file charges against those who allegedly provided the alcohol, but many students realize they could be facing the same legal difficulties if an accident happened at one of their parties.

"It's hard to card everyone at the door," Litcofsky said, "but people should monitor the activity of those drinking, especially if they are underage."

Despite the fact that alcohol may have played a role in the incident -- police said one witness described Prevatte as "very intoxicated" before her fall -- the State College police and some local real estate agents have said they are not going to step up security this weekend.

For State College police, it will be business as usual.

"I don't think we will be doing anything differently," said State College Police Lt. Diane Conrad.

Residents of University Towers, 458 E. College Ave.., and the Ambassador Building, 421 E. Beaver Ave.., will not be facing an increase in security, said John Hanna, owner and property manager of Continental Real Estate Management Inc., 256 E. Beaver Ave..

"We cannot go into apartments to monitor people's drinking -- inside the rooms it's the tenants responsibility to keep things under control," Hanna said.

Rather than stricter security, Hanna said he opted to focus on educating his residents. He said he plans to mail information outlining the dangers of drinking to renters.

Ginny Chuba, manager of Sun S.C. Corporation, 422 Clay Lane, which owns various downtown apartments, said she will not make any changes either.

"We haven't had any problems, so I don't think any changes are needed at this point," Chuba said.

A.W. & Sons, owners of Alexander Court, 309 E. Beaver Ave.., would not comment.