Alcohol:

Policy enforcement could leave fans out of stadium

JAMEE SMITH
DM Senior Staff Writer

Football fans who attempt to bring alcohol inside Vaught Hemingway Stadium may have their tickets revoked at this weekend's game.

The new policy is announced at the game, printed on the tickets for the game and posted on signs located at the east and west sides of the stadium.

A variation of this citation is printed on tickets and announced during the game, now it is displayed prominently on signs located on the east and west sides of the stadium.

The new signs read "Anyone found entering the stadium with alcoholic beverages may be denied admission to the game (ticket revoked) and the alcohol confiscated."

The Football Planning Committee, comprised of representatives from the office of Student Life, police, the chancellor's office the Physical Plant and the athletic department, initiated the installation of the signs this summer.

Blake Barnes, assistant athletic director, said the signs were implemented for public service.

"Our main concern in the athletic department is that we present as safe as an environment as possible," Barnes said. "Crowd behavior and crowd control is a major concern."

Though there still has been some alcohol confiscated at gate areas, UPD interim chief Randy Corban said the signs have been a helpful tool in making people more aware of the school's alcohol policy.

Reactions to the new signs brought mixed reactions from students.

Some students feel the signs are long overdue.

"I think it is very good," said Daphne Travis, a junior sociology major from Batesville. "Football games are a family event and when you have people acting irresponsibly by throwing whiskey bottles and beer cans, it gives a negative image to Ole Miss."

Kim Hollowell, a junior elementary education major from Oxford agreed.

"People should be able to come to a sporting event and act accordingly," Hollowell said.

Brooke Jordan, a senior sociology major from Columbus, Ga., felt the new signs were unjust.

"I think it is unfair," Jordan said. "Football games are for student enjoyment. I think the football team is part of the Ole Miss experience. The football team needs as much of the students' support as possible."

Some said they felt apathetic about the signs.

Victor Alonso, a junior international business major from Houston, said he does not see the point in implementing new signs.

"I think people already know they are not supposed to bring alcohol on campus, so the signs are unnecessary," Alonso said.

"If they're going to (enforce) it then that's fine," said Richard Brown, senior managerial and banking finance major from Memphis. "They (UPD) don't need to pick and choose what (rules) they want to enforce."