Contrary to what some students may believe, tailgating before home football games has not been prohibited.
But the tailgating task force, which met about two weeks ago for the first time this semester, has recently released a pamphlet called "Tips Designed to Help You Tailgate," detailing guidelines for the pre-game festivity.
The pamphlet, which covers nine guidelines, also provides a map of the five parking lots designated for tailgating. The lots are on Tillotson and Bethel avenues near the football stadium and baseball field.
About 10,000 pamphlets have been printed, Dean of Students Randy Hyman said, and are available through student organizations and residence assistants.
Hyman, who is also part of the tailgating task force, said most of the guidelines were based on safety and health issues.
"Bottles that are broken are a hazard to people walking in that area," Hyman said. "The whole notion of not allowing glass bottles in the area is similar to that of public beaches."
To ensure safety and that tailgaters are following the guidelines, university police will be patrolling the tailgating areas.
Gene Burton, acting director of Public Safety, said three or four teams of uniformed officers will be patrolling the area on foot. About 10 total officers will patrol the area.
The officers will be looking for "obnoxious, loud people" and making sure everyone is mindful of the guidelines, Burton said.
"We're never there to look for arrests," he said.
But anyone caught drinking underage can be arrested, according to the pamphlet.
Hyman said some of the guidelines, such as not allowing kegs or couches, were targeted at keeping large groups of people from getting out of hand. Large groups are allowed to gather, Hyman said, but would be watched for inappropriate behavior.
"It's not so much the number of people in a group, but how the group is behaving," Hyman said.
Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham said he would like to see more people tailgating. He said the athletic department has been considering ways to draw a bigger crowd to tailgating, which he said would increase football game attendance.
"Anything we can do, we're willing to try," Cunningham said.
Before Saturday's game against Indiana State, a pregame concert by country music artist Cook & Waters has been scheduled.
Cunningham said he would like to see tailgating before every game be similar to tailgating at Ball State's Homecoming game.
"That's a great atmosphere, and we need to create that the other four times," he said.
The tailgating task force originally formed before the beginning of last year's football season. The guidelines found in the new pamphlet were drawn up last year and imposed after Homecoming 2001.
"We realized the challenge of safety and security was a very daunting one," Hyman said.
Hyman, Burton and Cunningham all said they think the guidelines are reasonable.
"(Tailgating) is encouraged," Hyman said. "Just responsibly, that's all."
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