Students react to new tailgating policies

Students+at+the+Family+Weekend+2014+tailgate.

Students at the Family Weekend 2014 tailgate.

As of the fall 2015 semester, Tarleton State University has implemented new tailgating policies for Texan Alley. Students, staff, and faculty all over campus have mixed feelings about the new policies and how it will affect their tailgating experience. The first tailgate of the 2015-2016 Texan football season was held on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Some of the new policies include an age verification process for legal drinking; no glass containers; no drinking games, kegs, or funnels allowed; no open-pit fires, and more. 

Tarleton students – Greek and non-Greek – faculty, and staff have been known to prepare for each game in Texan Alley every Saturday afternoon; however, some of the new policies have affected the attendance of the tailgate and the overall tailgating experience.

“I think the policies had a slight affect on the attendance of underage students, but as far as Greeks go, they were still all out there and having a good time even if they didn’t have a wristband to drink,” said senior Farm House fraternity member Derek Soper. “I believe the Greeks will always be there, regardless of new policies. We are able to have fun without alcohol. The rules were clearly advertised, and I think every organization there knew what was expected of them.”

Many students believe the policies have had a positive result on their tailgating experience, because they are responsible and make the experience safer than in years past.

“I like that the university is taking responsibility and preparing for risk management in case it is ever needed,” said senior Phi Mu member Samantha Stewart. “Even though I am 21, I went to the tailgate with friends who are underage. They did not seem to be bothered by the new wristband policy or any other rules. I do wish the announcement on the new policies had been made sooner, but I also understand why the university did what they did. Overall, I am just excited for the upcoming tailgates and to continue to see more and more people come out to them.”

While the majority of the response was positive, some did view the new policies as a negative.

“The only thing I did not like about the new guidelines is the fact that the tailgate was shut down a lot earlier than normal,” said senior Chelsea Kirby. “I feel like we didn’t have as much time as we would have liked to have the tailgating experience. I wanted to be able to stay out there and visit with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I understand not having it the entire game, but it could have gone longer. Other schools don’t shut down tailgates that early. Also, there was an odd vibe at the tailgate. A lot of people seemed unhappy or bitter because there were a lot of restrictions on what they could or couldn’t do.”

For a full view of this year’s Texan Alley guidelines, please visit www.tarleton.edu/RecSports/TexanAlley.