The little guy

Apparently the organizers of Spring Fling are not much into competition.

Or, for that matter, seeing their peers make a few extra bucks to support their causes.

If they were, there would be no need for the silly ban on beverage sales by student organizations.

It seems as though outside vendors -- who will be charging more for bottles of soda this year -- got the better of a few students looking to raise money. So much for the little guy.

Spring Fling is a student event. If student groups such as the Penn Band want to hawk soft drinks as a fundraiser, there should be nothing stopping them. Isn't a school like Penn supposed to cherish the individual initiative and entrepreneurial spirit?

If there are security and safety concerns about student groups bringing in cases of soda, then maybe these items need to be inspected -- not banned.

The University's strict policy against unopened bottles is already a hassle for students who live in the Quad and just want to buy a two-liter of Coke the week of Fling.

And since outside containers are off limits for everyone entering during Fling, it looks like students will be beholden to the vendors who already have negotiated deals with the University.

The sad thing is, what's next? Will Penn say good riddance to the scores of local vendors at Penn Relays? Students and other small vendors deserve better.

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