After reading the story ("Taming the tailgate" SN 10/5) about tailgate restrictions, it is obvious to me that university officials lack common sense and don't care about the opinions of students and trustees.

The restrictions will not only fail to solve the problems with excessive alcohol consumption, but they also ignore easy fixes to problems like public urination and broken glass. As a fourth-year tailgater, I can assure you that hard liquor is the most serious risk to students at tailgate. A person can play beer pong or other games for a very long time and not consume as much alcohol as they would in a few minutes taking Jäger bombs or some other type of liquor. Banning liquor instead of drinking games would be a much more effective way of making tailgate safer.

Oh, and what about the ASMSU recommendations on banning glass containers, getting more bathroom facilities, and better defined emergency routes? All of these ideas would make tailgates much safer, as well as give the students a say in what happens at tailgate.

It seems to me that it's the visual problem with drinking games that bothers officials, and that if the problems can be kept out of sight, it will make them feel better. It is obvious that university officials don't give a damn about student opinion.

They will just do what they want without giving serious thought to the outcome. I guess we all remember what happened the last time they tried that.

Luke Gentz
agricultural business management senior