Dean of Students Maria Fuentes-Martin said her office is foregoing broader tailgating policy changes this fall in favor of alternative strategies to addressing student safety on gamedays.
Fuentes-Martin said student and alumni response to the proposed policy change was largely negative, as students and alumni focused on a perceived threat to tailgating traditions as opposed to student safety. Many commented that “students are students” and little can be done to curb excessive drinking behaviors, she said.
Fuentes-Martin said safety and security has been a cornerstone of her office since she assumed the role of Dean of Students in August.
“My dissertation was a drug and alcohol study, and I know that students are students, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not still in an unsafe situation that we as administrators need to be thoughtful and careful about,” Fuentes-Martin said. “I think ultimately what we want is safety and fun, and a balance between those two things.”
Three policy revisions for student organization tailgating were presented to students by Fuentes-Martin and members of an Ad-Hoc Committee at two tailgate town halls during last semester.
Option A proposed third party vendors at each registered tailgate wishing to serve alcohol, and Option B proposed a communal third party vendor that would utilize a wristband system. Option C, proposed a BYOB system that would adhere to strict container and maximum beverage limits.
Fuentes-Martin said one of the most offensive responses to the tailgate policy changes was the belief that utilizing third party vendors and requiring organization registration was an attempt to generate revenue. She said she had hoped the fee would be nominal in comparison to the services provided with registration, but discussion never reached that point.
A BYOB policy similar to Option C was presented to Fuentes-Martin and the Ad-Hoc Committee by a University student.
The proposal suggested organizations be allowed to adhere to a BYOB policy as long as no glass bottles were present and proposed extended tailgate set-up times, among other ideas, according to emails obtained during a public records request. The student’s name was redacted due to FERPA.
Fuentes-Martin said she is pursuing outreach opportunities including a Moodle module focused on safe tailgating practices and broader awareness through a Campus Safety month in September. Partnerships with Greek Life, Campus Life, law enforcement and LSU Athletics will also be key to developing strategies.
At the heart of the new strategies is an effort by Student Government, Greek Life, the Residence Hall Association and Fuentes-Martin to establish a more positive approach to changing tailgating culture.
SG vice president Lindsey Landry said the committee is developing a student-led campaign to promote safe tailgating practices through the establishment of gameday tenants. The tenants will focus on key areas of concern, such as respect for people and property and shifting the focus from drinking to support for the purple and gold, she said.
Landry said she hopes approaching tailgating from a positive, community-minded position instead of what many perceived as consequences will make students more receptive to the message.
“We took on a different perspective of it in saying that maybe we don’t need to change the rules, maybe we need to change attitudes,” she said. “We just want to make small improvements that hopefully will create a bigger positive change.”
Landry said committee members and SG are planning to present the tenants to student organizations and Greek Life in the fall, in addition to incorporating the tenants into residential hall floor meetings through RHA.
Landry said the committee and Fuentes-Martin are planning to see how the campaign impacts gameday practices before determining if any changes need to be made to improve gameday safety. They are working with law enforcement to get incidence numbers to monitor improvement.
She said the issue will likely be addressed on a year-by-year basis, and if behavior improves broader tailgating policy changes hopefully won’t be needed.