Problems with tailgating at the tennis courts near South Complex and elsewhere are not a new concern. MSU officials and trustees have been monitoring the area for two years, even before the alleged rape occurred before kick off Saturday. With a forum that has been open for so long, it's apparent to us Saturday's alleged rape didn't cause the desire for reform - it was only the latest case for it.

Most students don't tailgate to get wasted and commit crimes. Yes, there were 71 incidents reported near tennis courts and the surrounding area. But of the thousands of MSU students who celebrate football Saturdays there, the majority do no significant harm to themselves or the university. Any consequence to Saturday's unruliness needs to reflect that.

If conventional wisdom points to changes in the tailgate scene, there's something the bulk of the responsible students can do about it. If you see your friends about to commit public urination, destruction of property, theft or even sexual assaults, stop them. Police yourselves before the university decides we're incapable of it.

Part of the problem associated with tailgate is underage or inexperienced drinking. Granted police officers can't bust everyone - half the campus would get booked for public drunkenness - but they should be more strict in making sure that only people who really should be drinking are. If underage drinkers are responsible for ruining your tailgate experience, encourage them to be part of the solution, not the problem. The advice isn't novel, but in order to preserve a Saturday student tradition, employ moderation at your next tailgate and keep yourself in check before an officer of the law decides to. We're all afforded a privilege to be able to tailgate on our campus, and it's imperative to remember that it's not yet a right. We face a change, but we're not convinced it's entirely necessary just yet.

Any action on the part of the university needs to be tactfully considered. Any drastic movement would be likely to upset many people, but it's time to realize some restrictive action against tailgating is imminent. Calling for a dry campus is absurd. Barring students from the tennis courts would be ridiculous. Imposing a time limit on tailgate seems fairly prudent, but remember that anyone aiming to do so can get drunk in the blink of an eye. The majority of MSU tailgaters are responsible and deserve just treatment.

There would be no justification for an entirely dry or nonexistent event. Yet, a group of friends gathering for drinks is one thing, outright debauchery in the mid-afternoon is another. If you're going to drink, stay in control of yourself.

Tailgating is one of the last places in East Lansing that students can congregate en masse and socialize. If one wished for tailgating to disappear forever, or become an alumni-only event, then we're on the right track; if things keep playing out as they are, the authorities will come down on tailgating in a way nobody can stand. So keep your friends and yourself from acting foolish and ruining the party for the rest of us.