STEPHENS | New policy? Same result

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A new tailgating policy will be implemented for the fall football season, and it leaves the question of which is more important: the safety of students or student attendance?

Athletic Director Dave Heeke said in an interview with Central Michigan Life last week that the tailgate environment has become somewhat problematic and the new procedures will enhance the environment and increase safety.

He also said, “We have had difficulty in moving from tailgating activities to the stadium. We feel that’s important – the game is center to the activities.” He also said, “We are discouraging people to come for only tailgating.”

Director of Public Relations Steve Smith: “That’s the emphasis: to have fun before the game and then go inside and enjoy the game.”

What Heeke and many others don’t realize is many students do and will continue to come only for the tailgate. While they may “discourage” this, it will continue to happen no matter what policies are implemented, unless they outright ban drinking.

Some policies do better the student body, such as the increase of port-a-potties and waste disposal for garbage and cans, but many seem to be wishful thinking that cutting back on drinking will get students to enter the game.

Also, spreading tailgating out means both the problem of trash and rowdiness will be spread out. It is much easier to sweep a parking lot of debris as compared to the grassy area of West Campus Drive.

The other problem of spreading tailgating out means you spread the rowdiness out as well. Instead of having it in a confined area, the university is suggesting spreading it across campus meaning a larger area for police to patrol and control. Better or worse for students?

The worst part of all of this policy making is the people involved don’t know the current rules. Smith was quoted as saying, “We have discussed banning kegs and limiting number of beers.” Banning kegs is a great idea, except kegs were banned under the previous policy. It’s an ugly situation when school officials are creating policies and discussing them without knowing what currently stands on the books.

Secondly, “limiting the number of beers,” is terrible idea on many levels. If they can’t enforce the no-glass rule, how do they plan on counting every beer? Not to mention this will only encourage some to drink more before they even come to tailgate, which means an increase in drinking and driving and intoxicated pedestrians. All of which mean the need for even more law enforcement. Better or worse for students?

The new tailgating policy is a giant scheme in hopes of getting students into the game. Unfortunately, those who want to go the game will and those who don’t won’t. If anything the athletic department may see a decrease in tailgating and decrease in attendance with the new rules, because of the lack of students accidentally stumbling into the stadium.

If CMU wants students at the game find incentives to give, instead of taking them away.