University officials are preparing for an influx of more than 100,000 tailgaters and game attendees for the first home game of the season Saturday, said Assistant Dean of Students and Associate Director of Student Advocacy and Accountability Katie McGee Barras.
And with tailgating comes heightened security on campus and the recurring problems of drinking and underage intoxication, Barras said.
“Our goal is to make sure students are made more aware of the consequences of their actions,” McGee said.
Many people try to bring alcohol into Tiger Stadium in flasks, which are prohibited, she said.
“Students who get caught with alcohol in the stadium, underage or not, get written up by our office and ejected from the game,” McGee said. “Minors that are caught also receive an MIP.”
The LSU Police Department will be joined by members of the [Alcoholic Beverage Control] and [Juvenile and Underage Drinking Enforcement] McGee said.
EMS units remain near the student entrance to the stadium during games to deal with fans who have consumed too much alcohol, McGee said.
“EMS will evaluate those in question, and if they are in danger, we transport them to a hospital,” McGee said. “If they are too intoxicated but are not in any medical danger, a guardian and-or sober friend is called to bring them home.”
LSUPD spokesman Det. Kevin Scott said plainclothes officers from LSUPD and the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office will be watching for public urination. He said punishment for urinating in public can range from a simple misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief to an obscenity charge requiring registration as a sex offender, depending on the situation.
Music and other utilities on campus also have strict policies.
Music must be confined to each individual tailgate area with speakers turned toward the tailgate area. Music must be turned off by midnight the night before gameday and 2 a.m. after games.
The use of electric outlets in or around University facilities as well as the use of University water sources while tailgating is prohibited.
The use of another student’s ID to enter the stadium will result in a citation from the Office of Advocacy and Accountability and ejection from the game, McGee said.
The Capital Area Transit System will begin its Touchdown Express Shuttle service Saturday, according to the Downtown Development District. CATS CEO Brian Marshall said the shuttle will run four hours before the game and an hour after the game.
The shuttle will service three locations: Galvez Plaza, Acadian at Perkins and the Catholic Life Center at Hundred Oaks and Acadian Thruway.
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Contact Kayla DuBos at [email protected]
Various agencies to patrol tailgating
September 15, 2010