SEO: Students react to UMD on-campus tailgates IFC new policy takes effect Reactions to IFC new tailgating policy varies

By: Allison Beres

Authorities and members of The Interfraternity Council, IFC, lined the blocked-

off field as students showed their wristbands and tickets to get into the on-campus

tailgate. Waiting in line for the event, ATO sophomore Christopher Thomas claimed it is

the best way to have a safe tailgating event, while keeping with the spirit of the

University of Maryland.

Before this new policy, off-campus tailgates featured large numbers of students

and many different types of alcohol. The tailgates have now relocated onto campus, and

require a ticket to the game and a wristband from a fraternity member. There is also a

limit on the number of students, a ban on hard liquor and many

other restrictions. Not all students feel the same way as Thomas

and wonder if this policy is the best way to let students stay safe

and have fun.

Policy guidelines main goals

Many people spectacled if the new set of guidelines is

accomplishing its goal: to keep students safe. Although the on-

campus tailgate starts at a certain time, students are waking up

hours before that to drink off campus.

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Christopher Pruden, in ATO fraternity, believes the

restrictions will not necessarily keep students safe

Photo by Allison Beres

Risk Management Chair for the sorority AOII, Rebecca Connor saw good and bad

facets to the new look of tailgating. “On one hand, it’s safer because you can only have

certain types of alcohol and they have designated sober people, but on the other hand,

students are drinking earlier, which means they will be drinking more hours of the day,”

Connor said.

One of the new changes is a security and police presence at the tailgates.

Sophomore Christopher Pruden believed, “the restrictions will not necessarily keep

people safe, but the security presence will make a difference.”

Students are getting even less sleep then if they would have woken up for an off

campus tailgate. This can cause even more health issues when

drinking. Senior Taylor Keenan wishes IFC would program the

event better. “On-campus starts at 9 a.m. so people start drinking at 5

a.m., which is not safe.” Keenan said. “They are up all day and those

that get really drunk will get dehydrated and pass out or throw up.”

Some students, such as sophomore Maddie Sepura, think that

on-campus tailgates will “be able to control the type of alcohol that

is being consumed so that excessive amounts aren’t consumed.”

Despite students’ varied reactions to on-campus tailgates, the real test will be

seeing how much safer they are for students. President Wallace Loh wants to see a

decrease in alcohol- related incidents and an increase in student attendance at games.

Depending on how the new policies help in accomplishing these goals will be the test to

see if these types of tailgates stay.

Maddie Sepura, sophomore in Greek life, believes that tailgates on campus will help prevent too

much alcohol consumptionPhoto by Allison Beres

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Beres, COMM231- 0201, W/R 2 TA 1, “IFC Tailgate”, Pt. 2