External sound system ban lifted in time for Saturday tailgate
The ban on external sound systems in the student tailgate lot is lifted.
Central Michigan University officials will amend the new tailgating procedures to allow students to use external sound systems, which will start at 8:30 a.m. with Saturday’s tailgate in Lot 63 before the football game against Eastern Michigan.
All other tailgating expectations remain unchanged.
Athletics Director Dave Heeke said the sound systems will have to adhere to certain requirements pertaining to emergency situations. He said the restriction on sound systems originated because emergency personnel could not communicate in the lot in previous years.
“We’ll work with emergency personnel as long as we know students will be supportive and turn their systems off when we need it most,” Heeke said. “It will be responsibly enforced, but it’s not a hard-fast rule just yet.”
A joint statement was released Thursday from Interfraternity Council President Brandyn Lawson, CMU Police Chief Bill Yeagley, Heeke and Student Government Association President Jason Nichol.
Yeagley said vehicles with external sound systems will be placed in specific locations, and security will notify those individuals in advance regarding what to do in an emergency situation. He said the amendment appears to be a good compromise.
“This was an area that people had some concern,” Yeagley said. “Let’s give it a try.”
Student committee
University officials are working with a student ad-hoc committee formed by Nichol to ensure there is greater communication and understanding of tailgating expectations in Lot 63.
Nichol said the committee is looking at other possible amendments to the policies, but its primary focus at this time involves the ban on external sound systems.
“The students stood up,” said Nichol, a Mount Pleasant senior. “We hope (this change) will draw the majority of the fraternities and sororities back. It will also draw more people away from Main Street. One of the unique parts about CMU is that tailgating culture, (and Athletics) has been really receptive to the student input.”
SGA Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis, a Garden City senior, said such a committee is formed whenever there is a pressing issue on campus — in this case, tailgating.
To register a vehicle with an external sound system, individuals can pre-purchase a parking pass for Lot 63 and will be required to set up sound systems three-and-a-half hours before the start of the game.
A limited number of these parking passes will be available for sale at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Athletic Ticket Office for $6.
“We don’t have an exact number set on that,” Heeke said. “We’re kind of being flexible to determine what works and what doesn’t. What we’ve done is expand the amount of time for tailgate to those with external sound systems, though.”
Individuals with sound system passes will receive early entry to Lot 63 — they are able to park at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. They will be moved to the front of the line to park. Heeke said either entrance to the lot can be used; there is no preference.
No other tailgate procedures are changing, nor are they expected to change, Heeke said. Other rules implemented by CMU include a six-beer or one pint of liquor limit per person, the creation of pedestrian checkpoints and an emergency lane.
“All of them are reasonable and sit within the mantra of providing a safe environment for students who attend,” Heeke said. “(This change) is something students are supportive of and will increase participation in the student lot.
“Quite frankly, students have the choice to tailgate, like any of our fans, wherever they want. But, the more students that come out, the better the atmosphere and overall experience becomes.”
- Senior Reporter Jake Bolitho contributed to this story.
