I’ve been a student at CMU for several years and have more than enjoyed
the yearly holiday that is tailgating Saturdays throughout football
season. CMU hasn’t had a winning season any of the five years that I’ve
been here, so the draw to watch CMU football has consistently been
knowing that the first breath of crisp morning air can be followed by a
breakfast of beer, eggs and sausage. Tailgating has always been a
constant for the students of CMU, and there hasn’t been any reason to
change what we’ve had.

Aside from minors in possession of alcohol, CMU students have never
caused major damage, a major crime or any other depraved acts that
would cause the new rules regarding tailgating to be enforced. Two
years ago at Homecoming (Oct. 14, 2002) two Centerline men (both
non-students) were arrested for aggravated assault in an altercation
involving two other non-students.

In a Central Michigan Life story following that Saturday, then CMU
Police Assistant Director Lt. Ron Griffiths was quoted as saying
Homecoming that year was not unlike other years. “It was pretty
typical. The tailgate was about what we expected,” he said. Following
the fights that year, there were no changes to the tailgating policies,
and CMU students continued to enjoy what all students have enjoyed for
years previous.

In lieu of budget cuts this year, and the minimum requirement of
15,000 fans per football game, CMU has decided to move the tailgate
area to lot 62 on the south side of the football stadium in an effort
to move all of us dangerous alcoholics away from all of the loving,
family-friendly people that choose to spend a Saturday afternoon
watching CMU.

Now, how many people actually take a Saturday to come and watch CMU
play? Aside from students’ families and friends or former students
(a.k.a. alumni), there is a small amount of people that take the time
to come to Mount Pleasant and watch CMU play.

The student section at Kelly/Shorts stadium also has been moved to
the south end zone, away from the band, away from a better view of the
field, but more importantly in the eyes of administrators, away from
the ticket-buying, revenue-generating families.

CMU football games are a place for CMU students to have pride in
their university, even if that means for some to enjoy themselves while
tailgating. When the university goes out of its way to inconvenience
the student body by putting them last when without them — the students
— there wouldn’t be close to the 15,000 fans they need. Let alone the
players on the field.

E-mail the author: defaultuser