A new website called Lion Party Network is scheduled to launch around State Patty’s Day weekend, this year scheduled for Feb. 23, the site’s CEO and founder said.
Tyler Van Elder said he thought of the idea when he realized that posting events on Facebook was unorganized. He said he initially created Lion Party Network as a Facebook page in July 2012.
“It was becoming a mess,” Van Elder said. “We’re hoping it takes the place of posting events on Facebook because our way is more efficient.”
Van Elder said that apartment owners, house owners, fraternities, bars and clubs can log on to the website and create a profile of their locations. After someone creates an event, he or she can create his or her own private guest list, Van Elder said. After someone creates an event, guests attend and afterward can rate he or she’s experience at whatever establishment he or she visited, Van Elder said.
There is already a mobile app for Lion Party Network available for Android phones and iPhones, Van Elder said. Van Elder said that that people can choose when to erase party information but Lion Party Network will erase the guest list, time of event and host names after 24 hours of the event taking place.
State College Police Department Capt. Matthew Wilson said that although the website has the potential to create huge parties in certain locations, police are equipped to handle the weekends.
“We have enough resources to do our jobs with regards to the party scene at Penn State ,” Wilson said. “We are always out in force and have dealt with large parties before so I don’t believe one website will really affect it too much.”
Wilson said tenants should be more concerned about posting their parties online for everyone to see. Wilson also said it’s important for people to remember those who throw these parties will be responsible for everyone attending, even if they didn’t personally invite them. Wilson said that the same underage drinking rules apply too, including a $300 fine and a 90-day suspension of a driver’s license for a first offense for underage drinking.
Kristen Holzwarth , property manager for Associate Realty Property Management , who manages various apartments including Beaver Terrace, 456 E. Beaver Ave., , Penn Towers, 255 E. Beaver Ave., , and Centre Court, 141 S. Garner St., , said those who use this website are making a risky choice.
“Hosting a party where alcohol is involved is taking a chance with the law,” Holzwarth said. “We discourage our tenants from throwing parties because it’s a huge liability for them and us.”
Van Elder said that the website does not condone drug use or drinking alcohol. It is merely an index or catalog for Penn State nightlife, Van Elder said.
Kristen Garrone (freshman- broadcast journalism) said she had heard about the website on Facebook.
“I would definitely use it,” Garrone said. “Especially if I had nothing to do, it’s certainly something I would check out.”
Garrone said she probably wouldn’t post her place on the page because she wouldn’t want anyone she didn’t know coming to her house or apartment.
