|
By Katharine B. McNamara '81
Beginning in September, the College
implemented a policy concerning tailgating at football games.
Acting President Frank Vellaccio explains the goal
of the policy.
Q. What is the purpose of the new tailgating
policy?
A. First, the policy is intended to curtail excessive drinking,
with particular concern about underage students. Seventy-five
percent of our students are under the legal drinking age
of 21. We are working to create a safe environment for
alumni, students and friends who want to socialize at a
tailgate
before a football game. No one enjoys a Holy Cross tailgate
on a beautiful autumn day more than I do. We want it to
be a positive and
healthy experience for all.
Q. Why is the policy being implemented at this time?
A. As you know, colleges and universities throughout the
country are addressing the problems and consequences of
underage drinking. We will not turn a blind
eye to this problem at Holy Cross. In 1996 the Holy Cross Presidential
Task Force on Alcohol made recommendations about ways to
change the environment
on campus to reduce the negative effects of alcohol abuse. Last year, the
College Advisory Board on Alcohol recommended this tailgating policy as
one component of an overall approach to addressing alcohol
abuse. I accepted
the recommendations; implementation of the policy began this fall.
Q. How
does this policy work?
A. I want to emphasize that the longstanding Holy Cross
tradition of tailgating continues. We are really stressing
a return
to the original purpose of tailgating - getting together
with friends, family and classmates before a game.
If people are interested in just tailgating and not
attending the game, they can choose a beautiful park somewhere for a reunion
with friends. Tailgating
is really just a prelude to entering the stadium for the game to support our
football team.
The specifics of the policy are: Freshmen Field and
the Baseball Field are open for tailgating three hours prior to kickoff. Kegs,
beerballs and other
common-source, large quantities of alcohol are not allowed. At game time, both
fields are cleared by our public safety officers and individuals are asked
to enter the stadium.
At half-time, you may enjoy the "interactive endzone" on the Baseball Field,
but you may not resume tailgating on the Baseball Field or on Freshmen Field.
Naturally, if you need to return to your car on a cold day for a sweatshirt
for yourself or your child, you may do so. If a family comes to campus with
young children who cannot sit through the entire game, they can, of course,
return to the comfort of their car. We're not trying to inhibit reasonable
activities. We're aiming to curtail excessive drinking, with special attention
to underage students.
After the game, you may mingle on the fields, but you
cannot set up grills or tables and resume a full-fledged tailgate. The goal is
to clear the fields
within one hour following the game.
Q. How has the implementation
worked so far?
A. A few people have misunderstood the true purpose of this
policy. But, most see that we want to preserve the best
parts of tailgating so that everyone can enjoy the fun of pre-game
socializing.
|
