Football Tailgating Guidelines

Middle Tennessee State University welcomes all alumni, students, fans and friends to our campus and believes that athletic events are an important component of the overall educational experience. Game-day activities help build a sense of community and offer an opportunity for social interaction.

Our goal is to provide a safe, enjoyable environment for all guests and assure a pleasurable experience for everyone in attendance. All game-day activities should be conducted mindful of the campus surroundings and all who choose to participate in game-day activities are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner at all times. The following guidelines have been established to assure that we maintain a high-quality, safe environment for those in attendance.

• MTSU is a tobacco-free campus. Use of such products is strictly prohibited.
• The Walnut Grove will generally open at 7:30 a.m. on game day. University sponsored tailgate activities, including inflatables, begin four and one half (4.5) hours prior to kick off. Weeknight game activities may be adjusted due to classes.
• Tailgate activities will cease two hours after the game unless otherwise announced and the area will close. MTSU officials will ask those failing to comply to leave the premises.
• Persons remaining in the tailgate area after the game has commenced will be encouraged to vacate the area to attend the game with the exception of one caretaker. Uniformed officers will periodically patrol through the area.
• Personal recreational vehicles will not be permitted in the Walnut Grove tailgate area. The placement of RV's must be coordinated through the MTSU Athletic Department.
• Parking is prohibited on the east side of Old Main Circle. At no time should vehicles park on or obstruct access to sidewalks.
• Glass bottles are prohibited. All beverages must be in non-breakable cups.
• No large containers or community/common drink dispensers are permitted. Any device or activity used to increase the consumption of beverages is prohibited.
• No indoor-use furniture, i.e. couches or recliners, is permitted.
• Everyone is expected to clean their tailgate area prior to kickoff. The dumping of hot coals in the tailgate area or in trash receptacles is prohibited.
• Only portable radio/stereo units will be allowed. Any equipment requiring external-power sources is prohibited. Volume and the language in any and all audio recordings must be appropriate for all ages.
• The use of gas powered generators must be approved in advance.
• Stand alone canopies in the Walnut Grove that exceed 12' x 12' must be approved in advance. Driving stakes or anchors into the ground is not permitted. Corporate tents are permitted in the designated tent area only (next to stadium) as approved by the MTSU Athletic Department.
• Platforms, stages and enclosed tents are not permitted in the tailgating area(s).
• Soliciting or hawking of wares unless approved in advance by Student Unions & Programming and the Athletics Department is prohibited. Only MTSU Athletics or their designated representatives will be allowed to sell merchandise in the tailgate area.
• For security reasons all tailgate equipment should be placed in vehicles prior to kickoff. In particular, any valuable items should be appropriately secured. One "caretaker" may remain at the tailgate site during the game to safeguard belongings.
• Items left in the tailgate area once the area closes will be picked-up and discarded.
• Any violations of these guidelines may result in termination of tailgate privileges and, as appropriate, criminal prosecution and/or action taken through the MTSU Office of Public Safety, the MTSU Dean of Students or the Murfreesboro Police Department.
• Requests for exceptions to these guidelines, other than student and student-organization reservations, can be made by calling the Athletics Department at 615-898-5322 or Student Unions and Programming at 615-898-2551.

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