A tailgating taskforce made up of Ball State students and administrators met recently to develop the guidelines.

"We want people to come to the games, have fun and socialize, but we also want people to be safe and responsible," said Randy Hyman, associate vice president for student services and dean of students. "These guidelines address some of our concerns about safety."

The guidelines are:

• Tailgating will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
• Among people age 21 or older, responsible alcohol consumption will be allowed in designated locations.
• All beverages should be in aluminum cans, plastic bottles, or paper or plastic cups. For safety reasons, glass bottles will not be allowed.
• No kegs or hard liquor will be permitted.
• People will not be allowed to bring couches or other indoor furniture into the tailgating area.
• RV's, buses and oversized vehicles (not pickups) will be assigned to an alternate parking site on the drive to the north side of the Alumni Center.

Additional police officers will be on duty to enforce the guidelines, as well as state and local laws, Hyman said.

University police encourage tailgaters to bring identification, as they will be conducting random checks of people who appear to be below the legal drinking age.

Police will turn away people trying to enter the tailgating field with visible violations to the guidelines. Those failing to comply with guidelines or state and local laws may be asked to leave or be ticketed.

Hyman notes the taskforce will review the guidelines and possibly make amendments before the 2002 football season.

"Many student organizations will be combining their efforts to promote alternatives to tailgating, designated drivers and to encourage new tailgating traditions," Hyman said.

By Nancy Prater, Web Editor

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Hyman at rhyman@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5343.)