Tailgating as MSU knows it might change if a bill drafted in ASMSU on Thursday is approved next week.
MSU's undergraduate student government's policy committee devoted an entire meeting to tailgating policy changes that will affect all on-campus game day partying.
"We wanted to nip this in the bud before it developed into something of a long-term problem," said Mike Susner, representative for the College of Natural Sciences.
The committee recommended a series of changes, including a no-glass policy, a limit on the alcohol potency and a time restriction before the game.
"The need has become especially pronounced recently," Susner said. "It's not like the problem is new, but the focus is new and we need to make sure to solve it."
Policy committee members said drinking is a privilege during tailgating because MSU is the only Big Ten school with an almost entirely wet campus on game days.
ASMSU members said the alleged rape last Saturday and concern from the MSU Board of Trustees prompted drafting the new bill.
Derek Wallbank, representative for the Council for Students with Disabilities, said ASMSU is not trying to limit student enjoyment, but is interested in student safety.
"The student body is saying it wants changes, and the board is saying it wants wholesale changes," he said. "So the assembly is obliged to stand up and do something, and that is what we have done tonight."
Changes in tailgating would be uniform throughout campus, meaning both students and alumni would adhere to the same policies.
Student Assembly Chairperson Andrew Schepers said ASMSU also hopes to define and regulate drinking games that might exceed student safety.
The assembly would create a commission with other campus groups, including the Residence Halls Association and Olin Health Center, to be a standing body and meet every year to discuss tailgating issues.
"We don't think that tailgating is a problem, but overall, we need to improve safety to make it better," said Paul Harmon, ASMSU association director.
If approved by ASMSU, the tailgating recommendations would go before the Board of Trustees before becoming official policy.
