Cabinet optimistic on tailgating policies
By MATTHEW BRAMANTI
News Writer
Improved communication between Notre Dame officials and students will be vital to the success of the new alcohol and tailgating policies, said members of the Executive Cabinet, an advisory board to the student body president.
The group used its first meeting of the year Monday to focus on changes to the alcohol policy introduced in the spring.
Libby Bishop, student body president, said revisions have left many questions unanswered in the minds of students.The revised alcohol policy, outlined in du Lac, the student handbook, forbids hard alcohol and expands the definition of "abusive drinking."
The revamped definition outlaws 40-ounce bottles of beer, beer bongs and the practice of "shotgunning"beers.
Class and student body officers are still assessing the potential impact of the new regulations, but they don't anticipate much real change from last year, Executive Cabinet members said.
"[Despite the new inclusions] the policy really hasn't changed that much,"Bishop said.
The more drastic changes relate to the tailgating policy. The new system for tailgates requires students to register and receive approval for their pre-game gatherings in advance. An online registration system already is in place for students to register tailgates for Saturday's home football game versus Purdue.
Student tailgates will be restricted to a portion of Blue Field, south of Notre Dame Stadium. Uniformed officers from Notre Dame Security/Police as well as plain clothes members of the Indiana State Police will be on hand to enforce University policy and Indiana law. This year, all tailgates must end by kickoff time. Cabinet members appeared cautiously optimistic about the new tailgating policy, but some still had doubts.
"Is this just a reason to get more people in trouble?"said Amy O'Connor, Club Coordination Council coordinator.
In other Executive Cabinet news:
u Bishop discussed the sell of The Shirt in both dining halls, as well as other locations on campus, possibly including residence halls.
"The project has lost some popularity in the last few years,"Bishop said. Cabinet members expect that broader visibility of The Shirt will bring increased sales, ensuring the security of a major source of student activities funding.
All News Stories for Tuesday, September 3, 2002
