Chi Phi fraternity, 360 E. Hamilton Ave., waived its right to a preliminary hearing yesterday on charges of furnishing alcohol to minors during the summer session.

David J. Roberts II represented the fraternity at the Centre County Courthouse, where it pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury.

The formal arraignment is set for Oct. 27.

On the night of Aug. 9, the State College Police Department responded to a complaint of loud music coming from the fraternity, according to a police report.

An officer, who arrived on the scene, observed a female vomiting on the front porch.

The officer asked if she needed assistance, and during the conversation determined she was underage and had been furnished the alcohol by the fraternity, the report said.

Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Stephen DiOrio said he was not aware of the charges.

"Normally, if a house is charged, the county sends it first to Judicial Affairs, who sends it directly to us [IFC], and that hasn't happened yet," DiOrio commented.

DiOrio would not speculate on what disciplinary actions the IFC might take.

But Jordan Goldhammer, IFC vice president of standards, said the IFC does not take action unless the fraternity in question is convicted of the charges either by Judicial Affairs or the court.

Judicial Affairs representatives were not available for comment, and members of Chi Phi refused to comment on the charges yesterday.

Underage drinking, which is not uncommon, has been an issue in the past both on and off campus.

"Naturally, underage drinking is a major concern. We have a zero tolerance policy, but we are not singling out the fraternities as being responsible. It happens at parties and in the surrounding community as well," said State College police officer Tony Lopinsky.

The university has also had problems in the past concerning underage drinking and continues to treat it as a major concern, said Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon. He added that students often begin drinking years before they are in college.

"When students are dying from alcohol abuse, or when students or faculty members are hit by a drunken driver, it is very frustrating," Mahon said.

The State College Police Department reported 255 incidents involving liquor violations this year through July. Last year, there were 311 total in the same time span. It is not clear how many of these violations involved underage drinking.