St. Thomas Will Allow Tailgating Before Football Games This Year

Beginning with the home football game on Saturday, Sept. 25, and continuing for the rest of the 2010 football season, St. Thomas will conduct a test of on-campus tailgating.

“Tailgating has not been sanctioned on campus for many years,” said Mark Vangsgard, vice president for business affairs and chief financial officer. “Past problems included alcohol abuse, trash, litter and hot charcoal damaging the asphalt parking lots.”

“We have reviewed a number of tailgating policies from other universities,” said Jane Canney, vice president for student affairs. “There are ways, with a structured set of guidelines, to eliminate the problems of the past and provide additional energy in the game-day experience.”

The tailgating guidelines will be tested this year to determine both the interest and the conduct of participants, Vangsgard and Canney said, and a decision will be made on whether to allow tailgating again next year.

The guidelines for 2010 football game tailgating are:

General

Tailgating will be allowed only in Lot M between Loras Hall and the Frey Science and Engineering Center on the south campus. This area will have signage and will be patrolled by Public Safety officers to ensure the guidelines are followed.
Parking will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots will not be reserved in advance. No blocking or saving spots will be permitted.
Lot M will open for tailgating at 11 a.m., two hours before the 1 p.m. kickoff, and will close at 1:30 p.m.
Restrooms will be available in nearby Loras and O’Shaughnessy Science halls.
Trash bags and receptacles will be provided for refuse.

Prohibited