By Shaun Banther
Following a unanimous resolution March 18 in Student Senate and a proposal to the Eastern New Mexico University administration, President Steven Gamble denied a proposal to allow alcohol and tailgating during school athletic functions.
“It’s something that the students want,” said Justin Aguilar, Associated Students of Eastern New Mexico University president. “We had a vote by the student body, and 77 percent said they support it. Our job is to represent the student body in general, and that large of a number is something we have to pursue.”
Aguilar said that several ideas were presented to Gamble—including a fenced-off area for tailgaters at the new stadium, wristbands for legal drinkers, and carding individuals who participate. He said that fencing could provide a controlled area to moderate alcohol.
“It’s not just about drinking,” Aguilar said. “It’s about the food, people coming together, and the camaraderie and school spirit that goes with celebrating and being at a game together.”
While 77 percent of students support the tailgating proposal, the other 23 percent see some potentially major problems.
“I don’t think it should be allowed,” said Carla Aguirre, a 21-year-old Accounting major. “There are going to be high school kids who come to the game. There would have to be major security for that not to be a problem. Also, there would be more drunk driving.”
Aguirre said that she feels “fitting into the stereotype of party schools” would be a negative for the university.
Gabby Smith, an ENMU senior said, “If they do ever allow alcohol. they should limit it.”
She added that people who attend the games might show “bad sportsmanship.”
ASENMU presented a “well written, well thought out, well researched proposal” to the administration in reference to allowing alcohol at the school events, Gamble said.
However, he denied the proposal.
“Our students have every opportunity—those who are of age, 21 or older—to drink almost anywhere they want to go,” Gamble said. “I don’t think that needs to be extended to the campus.”
There are no current state laws prohibiting alcohol consumption on state property, according to sources cited in the original student senate proposal. However, selling alcoholic beverages on state property is not allowed.
To see the full ASENMU proposal, go to enmuhoundbytes.com.
The ASENMU proposal included tailgating rules for surrounding schools such as the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University. The points of the resolution include adherence to all laws from the local to federal level, the average age of ENMU students, the implementation of security procedures at other institutions, and benefits of tailgating at ENMU.
“My job here is to try and facilitate student success,” Gamble said. “I just couldn’t see how introducing alcohol into any university function would further student success.”
Allowing alcohol would be a “dramatic cultural shift” for ENMU, according to Gamble. His concerns with the proposal include student segregation due to a fenced area, issues with drunk driving, and also the possibility of police interference due to excessive alcohol consumption
“I think one of the nice things about Eastern is we don’t always go with the flow on things we feel strongly about,” Gamble said.
