Recent alcohol citations received by Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters at Penn State have prompted discussion on curbing these trends.

Since August, IFC chapters have received seven citations for furnishing alcohol to minors.

IFC promotes correct procedures to ensure safety within all of its chapters, said IFC President Steve DiOrio.

"We encourage all chapters to follow the risk management procedures," DiOrio said, "and also to have guest lists, check IDs at the bar and check PSU IDs."

Penn State University Police has also noticed an increase in citations for underage drinking on campus.

"There may be a slight increase in the number of students drinking underage," said Ted Delaney, university police officer. "But overall, the number of citations has increased because of stronger enforcement by the police departments."

DiOrio said he is frustrated because IFC is trying to take steps to curb underage drinking at Penn State, but that police do not seem to notice.

"They don't understand what we are trying to do," he said. "IFC is trying to keep people from engaging in dangerous drinking, but evidently this isn't good enough for the police."

DiOrio met with State College Police Department Chief Tom King, IFC president-elect Andy Hackett, Executive Vice President of Student Affairs Art Carter, and Associate director of greek life Scott Phelan last week to discuss solutions to the problem.

"The purpose of the meeting was to try to build a relationship with the State College Police Department and to try to understand their methods of enforcement," Phelan said. "The source investigations have resulted in increased citations not only among fraternities, but also apartments and houses."

DiOrio said he thinks the police are using new means to target fraternities, including sending undercover female officers into fraternity parties to investigate.

"The police are using new means to target IFC fraternities," he said. "They are looking to cause problems and not to fix problems."

State College Police Department Lt. Diane Conrad could not comment on any methods police use to enforce liquor laws, but said the police aren't doing anything differently this year to stop underage drinking.

"We're doing the same things we've always done," she said. "We're trying to enforce the law in a variety of ways. When responding to incidents, if we find out that [those involved] came from a fraternity, then we follow up with that."

In light of recent legal troubles with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 200 E. Beaver Ave., chapter adviser Kerry Small said he is working to stop dangerous drinking.

"I am working with the Office of Judicial Affairs and other chapter advisers to help curb underage and dangerous drinking," he said. "Drinking dangerously is a huge problem at Penn State."

According to a Penn State Pulse survey released in February, 81 percent of students at University Park drink alcohol.

Nineteen percent of students participate in drinking games, and 19 percent engaged in unplanned sexual activities while under the influence.

Conrad added that increased participation to curb underage drinking by the university has helped in the police's efforts.

"There may be more attention from the university, from fraternity and sorority life and judicial affairs, and that helps us," she said.

Presidents from Chi Phi and Pi Kappa Phi fraternities could not be reached for comment.