Tent rules and regulations for the Junction are going to be reinforced, beginning in the fall, for tailgaters on game days. The Mississippi State University Game Day Committee has decided to reinforce tent size rules and regulations for tailgaters in the Junction.
Jim Jones, director of facilities management, who is also chair of the committee, said the rules have been in effect since the Junction was constructed, but some tailgaters are not abiding by the regulations.
“In our most recent game day meeting, we reevaluated our previous rule and confirmed that, for many reasons, we are staying with the [12 feet-by-12 feet] tent size limitations,” Jones said.
Tents with ropes will not be allowed in the Junction for the fall football season because the committee ruled that the ropes pose a safety hazard.
Jones said he wants the Junction to be more accessible to students and wants to make sure it is safe for all game day tailgaters.
The committee has set aside the area outside the Junction for larger tents. It said the goal is to accommodate as many tailgaters as possible.
Assistant director for facilities management Chris Nettles, also a member of the committee, said it reviewed the policy to make sure all of the regulations are for the best.
Undeclared freshman Rivers Collins said she thinks the tent limitations are a good idea.
“If the Junction has more available space, then more people will want to come to the games,” Collins said. “The more people paying for tickets, the more money that is going toward the university.”
The committee members said they hope that tailgaters will abide by the rules next football season.
“Our patrons are responsible users of campus, and we will rely on them to comply with our rules,” Jones said. “We will monitor the Junction use and compliance with the MSU rules that govern it’s use and take actions appropriate at the time.”
Freshman sociology major Lindsey LeClair said she thinks the Junction will have a safer atmosphere with the new regulations being enforced.
“The Junction is hard to maneuver around, so I hope tent ropes being against the rules will make the Junction more accessible,” LeClair said.