Political activity on campus is ramping up amid election season, and tailgating is no exception.
But the University has a policy against political signage on game days, which prohibits political materials from being attached to “trees, light standards, buildings, erected upon the grounds or otherwise affixed to University property.”
The University prohibits certain political activity to “not allow itself to be perceived as endorsing a political candidate or issue,” according to the policy.
“Signs will be permitted on vehicles traveling to the game and parking,” the policy states. “Hand-held signs may not be affixed to sticks or poles.”
Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSU Police Department spokesman, said political signage is a minor problem on game days. He said LSUPD has only had to deal with close to five cases in three years, and situations haven’t escalated beyond a verbal warning.
Tabor said all political tailgates must receive approval from the Office of Finance and Administrative Services to hand out material.
“We have a very stiff policy on that sort of thing,” Tabor said. “They’re not allowed to try and sway anybody’s votes.”
He said as long as political tailgates aren’t handing out literature or food, they can express their political views.
“Printed materials may not be hawked or forced into the hands of persons nor may they be distributed by placement upon automobiles parked on University property,” the University’s policy says.
Despite the policy, several tailgates sported signs for candidates like lieutenant governor candidate Jay Dardenne and incumbent U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-LA.
Ashley Territo, assistant to the vice chancellor for finance and administrative services, said student political groups like College Republicans and College Democrats are allowed to have political tables set up.
If approved, locations for passing out political literature are limited to west of Nicholson Drive, north of North Stadium Road, east of Lockett Hall, east of the front of Hatcher, Hodges and Johnston Halls, the Chemical Engineering Building and West Campus Drive and south of South Stadium Parking Lot.
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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]