No drinking. No games. No music. Tailgate is over by half time. Security. Less underage drinking. Better game attendance. These are some of the issues going back and forth from students to university officials.

Jacob Hardin, a fifth year senior in kinesiology, sports and leisure studies and Sergeant Albert Jimenes. “I don’t understand why these new rules that they came out with are so harsh. I’ve pretty much been to every home tailgate in my four full years here and I have never been a part of any problems or have witnessed any problems except for one small incident last year”, Hardin said. The “new” tailgating rules have always been set just not written. “We are just looking for cooperation while we resettle these rules. We want to promote less underage drinking and an overall safe environment for the students”, Jimenes said. Hardin attended the first home game last Saturday with the new rules in effect, “I can understand why they are making these rules, but if they keep the area that small I can see that being more problematic. When you put that many people in that small of an area, drinking or not, that is asking for some sort of trouble” Hardin said. The area highlighted on the printed out copies shows a much larger space for tailgating then actually being allowed. “With the new restricted area we are wanting to get more control. It’s a safety issue, we don’t want them crawling into a car and having a wreck”, said Jimenes.

“The rules definitely put a negative effect on tailgating for sure. It’s just kind of confusing to go from things that were pretty lenient and everyone pretty much took care of their own business, went out there and had a good time, to this”, Hardin said. With the students having such strong feelings toward the rules it’s going to be interesting to see the turnout for the next game. “We’re pretty easy going but sometimes we have to show our game face”, said Jimenes. The University Police Department is planning on expanding the tailgating area for the homecoming game on Oct 31, because of the expected number of visitors.

Tailgating 09.05.15

Caleb Pylant, biology junior, plays a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Caleb Pylant, biology junior, plays a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Caleb Pylant, biology junior, plays a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Austin Leverage, finance junior, tosses the ball while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, during a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Austin Leverage, finance junior, tosses the ball while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, during a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Austin Leverage, finance junior, tosses the ball while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, during a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Austin Leverage, finance junior, tosses the ball while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, during a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Austin Leverage, finance junior, tosses the ball while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, during a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson

Austin Leverage, finance junior, tosses the ball while his partner, Jared Rivas, biology sophomore, during a game of bean bag toss set up by Sigma Alpha Epsilon in the new designated tailgating section of the parking lot outside of Memorial Stadium, Saturday Sept. 5, 2015. Midwestern State beat Truman State 31-3 in their opening game of the season. Photo by Rachel Johnson