As of press time, a Facebook group in favor of the "4th Annual State Patty's Day" boasted 8,304 members. But a counter-movement is also gaining momentum, with 646 people advocating to "End the 'State Patty's Day' Tradition."
And as the anti-State Patty's Day campaign spreads across social media Web sites, some students are calling on Penn State student leaders to take a stand against this growing tradition.
Last week, Rainbow Roundtable President Steve Lucas posted this call to action for the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) on Twitter: "Would love to see @upuapsuedu step up to the plate and advocate for the END of State Patty's Day."
A firm stance from the UPUA and other organizations could help to curb student interest in the event, Lucas (senior-English) said.
"I think UPUA has the ability to take a bold stance on State Patty's Day if they are willing to," he said.
While UPUA has not finalized an official stance on the issue, UPUA President Gavin Keirans said it has made some strides in ensuring safety during the Feb. 27 event.
So far, UPUA has already engaged in conversations with borough and administration officials regarding the holiday, Keirans (senior-business management) said. One suggested solution is to prevent local bars from holding extended hours on the holiday.
"One of the things we'd like to see is that [these establishments] maintain business as usual hours," he said. "To start at 7 a.m., as opposed to usual hours, does nothing than to encourage some of the issues around State Patty's Day."
Like UPUA, Interfraternity Council President Max Wendkos said the IFC does not have an official stance on the holiday. But Wendkos said he has been in discussions with student, borough and university officials.
While Lucas said UPUA's position on the issue might not erase the holiday, he thinks it could still raise awareness about the "detrimental effects" the event has on the State College community.
On State Patty's Day 2009, 311 calls were made to State College Police -- compared to the average 80 calls that are reported on a normal Saturday. Last year's event also saw 79 summary criminal arrests, 31 noise citations, 21 alcohol overdoses, 14 DUI arrests and $4,500 in police overtime costs for the local police department.
While Lucas said the holiday clearly poses harm to the safety of everyone in State College, he feels it also does little to counteract the negative connotation associated with Penn State's No. 1 party school status. And this reputation not only adversely affects students and alumni as they apply for jobs, but also tarnishes the name of the Penn State community as a whole, he said.
In the four years since the holiday was created, administration officials have also taken a decidedly negative position against State Patty's Day.
But University Spokesman Geoff Rushton said a student-driven campaign against the event could be an effective means of discouraging participation.
"Anytime students are taking that kind of initiative themselves and it's not someone talking down at them, when it's [a peer] talking to them about it. I would hope that would make an impact," Rushton said.
And that impact, Lucas said, should happen as soon as possible.
"We're at a point where if we don't stop it now and put the brakes on tradition, it's a runaway train," Lucas said. "And we don't know how much worse its going to get."
