A committee from the LSU Dean of Students’ office met with students Tuesday to discuss possible changes to the University’s tailgating policies.
University Policy Statement 78 states that “alcoholic beverages … may be served at registered social events sponsored by campus organizations,” as long as providers and consumers of alcohol are at least 21 years old. However, the committee acknowledged this policy has rarely been enforced in the past.
“We understand the tailgating is a cherished LSU tradition, but we want to incorporate potential positive changes for the tailgating experience,” said assistant director for leadership and involvement Kathy Jones, a committee member who led the discussion.
Possible changes include prohibition of drinking games, restriction of tent sizes to 10×10 feet, restricting furniture at tailgates to allow only folding tables and chairs and enforcing an end time for tailgates prior to kickoff. All proposed changes would only apply to student-sponsored tailgates. Family and alumni tailgates would not be affected.
The committee also discussed three possible changes related to the possession of alcohol during tailgates.
The first option would require student organizations hosting a tailgate to use a pre-approved third-party vendor to provide alcohol to students of legal drinking age.
Currently, the University only has one approved contract with a pre-approved vendor which sells alcohol, All Star Catering. Other vendors would be required to fill out an application and pay a fee to the University.
Option B would also utilize a third party vendor. However, this option would only provide one vendor on the Parade Ground for all student organizations to use. Students who attended the meeting raised concerns about long lines and potential altercations.
One student asked about the third-party vendor requirements as a potential revenue-generating tactic.
“If these vendors have a contract with LSU … is this requirement more about safety or money?” the student asked.
Committee members acknowledged there was no clear explanation.
The third option would excuse student organizations from the third-party vendor requirement, but would adopt a BYOB policy that would “permit students 21 years or older to bring a specified amount [of] alcohol for his/her personal consumption.” There was no clear strategy for measuring how much a “specified amount” entailed.
Although drinking on gamedays is an issue, business sophomore Taylor Schultz said she believes the problem is an issue of self-control, not one of student organizations’ tailgates.
Another student in the crowd said the proposed changes to tailgating were “absolutely ridiculous.”
“We’re all here … because of Louisiana traditions that have been going on for a hundred years,” the student said. “Nothing needs to change.”
Since many students disagreed with all three of the proposed options, Student Advocacy and Accountability graduate assistant Margaret Vienne said the committee will continue to work with students to discuss further plans.
“The committee’s next move is to … look at the feedback and reshape what the options look like,” Vienne said. “There will be some kinks to work out, but I hope as a committee we can come up with some safer options for our students.”

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