Every once in a while, small issues in sports have a tendency to make us angry.  Here at Sideline Warning we will let you know when these problems get out of hand.  This is the Challenge Flag.

University officials at LSU have proposed rules that will heavily regulate tailgating by student organizations on campus. Though these rules may pertain to all student organizations, it seems aimed at LSU Greek organizations, mainly fraternities.

Practically every LSU fraternity partakes in tailgating football game days on the Parade Grounds, which is a popular tailgating spot on LSU’s campus. Tailgates include copious amounts of alcohol, food, and loud music.
University officials are attempting to create a no-fun environment on Saturdays in the fall with all of their new rule proposals.

“All we want to do is make it safer and tamp down on underage drinking,” said Jason Droddy, LSU vice president of external affairs. “We merely ask that student organizations to sign up for space on the parade ground.”

Oh, but it’s much more than that, Jason.

Here are a few tweets from a reporter that attended the hearing between university officials and members of various student organizations:

Seems fair. Look, I understand wanting to prevent students from underage drinking and possible hospital visits. Cutting out beer bongs, funnels and communal alcohol like “jungle juice” and kegs, but why is this strictly aimed at student organizations? LSU students, Greek or not, are known for their heavy alcohol consumption. Students are going to find way to drink, a lot.

LSU officials proposed the idea of having a third-party vendor supply the alcohol to students of age at tailgates, just like every other LSU fraternity part requires. As the tweet states, a select few organizations can afford those vendors. Guess who those big organizations are? Yup, you guessed it. Greeks. I can already imagine how many fights there will be while waiting in line to buy drinks.

Like I said, LSU students are going to find a way to consume their alcohol. If the university is going to force student organization members to pay vendors for alcohol, the students are likely going to say “forget that” and chug as much as they can before they make their way to the campus for the day. It would be much easier to access medical attention on the Parade Grounds rather than in a dorm room or off-campus housing.

You would think this would be a simple answer to the rule proposals, but for the Greeks, this would be impossible. Any time three or more fraternity members are gathered in the same room LSU considers that a party, which would require a third-party vendor and security. Yes, I’m serious. LSU would likely sniff out these “non-student organization” tailgates and shut them down quickly. Regardless of what organization you are a part of, your fellow organization members are likely the people you want to hangout with regularly. LSU encourages us to get involved, but now it is inconvenient to be involved on game day.

REALLY?!? This is the rule that aggravates me the most. Again, trying to tame the drinking “problem” is one thing, but not allowing student organizations to use couches, TVs, or tables is absolutely ridiculous. The university officials are essentially cancelling any tailgating for student organizations when they propose this. They proposed also banning any household goods, which likely includes speakers, fans, and grills. What the hell are students supposed to do?

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This is this size of a 10×10 tent. If LSU is restricting tailgating supplies to this, they’re out of their minds. Most, if not all, fraternities have over 100 members, this tent is not going to fit the members and any guests. This tent would not fit the members of most student organizations.

I’m graduating in May and none of this will apply to me moving forward, but it still frustrates me that LSU is trying to hinder something that has brought me some of my favorite memories as a student. There has to be a middle ground in all of this. Hopefully the LSU officials will listen to the opposition and work with students on how to prevent alcohol-related accidents without going overboard.