Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Tailgating procedures at West Georgia

Carrollton, GA — Tailgating has long been a tradition with sporting events, especially on the collegiate level. Nothing is better than gathering with other Wolves fans, fellow classmates, alumni, friends, or family before home athletic events.

Tailgating is permitted on campus in parking lots and green space in and around designated campus facilities. Please follow all guidelines related to food/grilling, clean-up and risk management policies. For the purpose of this policy, consumption of alcohol is governed by procedures described in Section 5 of this policy.

2. RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENT
Tailgating is a lively and family-friendly environment. While we want you to have an exciting experience, we ask that you be respectful of those surrounding you, being mindful of your choice of language and activity. Groups are personally responsible for making sure their guests act appropriately. Individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of the nature and character of the university. Persons acting in a disruptive, disrespectful or disorderly manner may be asked to leave the premises or be subject to citation. Students may also be charged with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Please keep all music and audio at a volume level that is respectful of your tailgating neighbors. We want the tailgating experience to be enjoyed by all.

3. TAILGATING LOCATIONS
ATHLETIC COMPLEX (Football, Softball, Soccer) - The University of West Georgia invites and encourages our fans to enjoy a great tailgate atmosphere prior to each Wolves’ home intercollegiate game. Tailgating in designated parking spaces, which limit other spaces from being occupied by a vehicle, is not permitted. Tailgating in any traffic lanes or pedestrian pathways is not permitted. Registered Tailgating Events by UWG Student Groups - All student groups or organizations must complete a tailgate reservation form no later than 7 days prior to kickoff to secure a desired location in our Student Zone Tailgate Party area. Tents may be leased by student groups from UWG Athletics for $25 per tent per game by completing the Tailgate Reservation Form.
Tailgating Captains-Student Groups Only (limited to home football games) - Each student group wishing to participate in the Student Zone Tailgate will designate a minimum of two “Tailgate Captains” to attend each event (being on site at all times). Tailgate Captains will represent their group throughout the season and be responsible for working with their group to uphold university policies. If a group expects more than 100 participants, they must have at least a third Captain on site at all times. All tailgate captains will attend an informational/training session prior to each game.

Tailgating by Individuals (Students or Others)
Students, faculty, staff, and guests may tailgate even if they are not a part of registered group. Individuals who choose to do so are responsible for following all parts of this policy.

4. OPENING/CLOSING
Tailgate areas for home football games will be open for individuals to enter the Athletic Complex at advertised times on the day of the game. Typically, the Athletic Complex will open for parking and tailgate enjoyment 4 hours prior to kickoff. All UWG organized events and activities must end 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Stadium public bathrooms will not be accessible until the ticket gates open 90 minutes prior to kick-off. A limited number of portable toilets will be on site.

5. TENTS
Tents with stakes shorter than 12-inches may be set up at any time prior to kickoff. Permits are required for any tent with stakes that are 12-inches or longer. Tent permit requests may be obtained from UWG Athletics at 678-839-6533.

6. SPECIAL PERMITS
Special permits are required for outdoor entertainment events with amplified sound. Permit requests must be submitted at least 14 days in advance and must include a list of required information for the request to be approved. Amplified sounds permit requests may be obtained from UWG Athletics at 678-839-6533. The outdoor entertainment permit will specify the location and other requirements to ensure that the event is conducted in a safe manner. If the event also requires a tent with stakes 12-inches or longer, a tent permit must be obtained first as outlined in the previous section. Special event permits are not site reservations.

7. COLISEUM AND COLE FIELD
Tailgating for basketball and baseball is permitted in parking lots and green space in around these facilities. All general polices, procedures and guidelines are to be followed.

8. GENERAL GUIDELINES THAT APPLY TO ALL TAILGATING
a. CLEAN-UP - Please keep UWG beautiful by placing all trash and recycling in the proper bins located throughout the tailgate areas, RV lots, and facilities for your convenience. All groups are responsible for making sure their assigned tailgating area is cleaned prior to departing for the game. Immediately at the conclusion of tailgating (30 minutes prior to the start of the game):
All trash/recyclable items must be picked up and sorted into proper receptacles. This includes trash around your assigned area. Trash should be closed in bags or trash containers.
While tobacco use is strongly discouraged, all cigarette butts must be picked up.
All leftover food/beverages must be placed in proper containers and stored.
All clean-up procedures must be completed before entering the stadium.
Tailgating spaces not completely cleaned prior to the start of an event could result in the group’s loss of future tailgate privileges.

FOOD/GRILLING
All UWG guests with smokers and grills equipped with axles, and towed behind a vehicle, and parking in the Athletic Complex lots other than WGAF Lot B, must position their smoker or grill in the designated spaces provided in the gravel Lot A. Reservations must be made in advance by contacting the UWG Athletic Department at 678-839-3962. This area is conveniently located in Lot A and designated by signage
Groups may bring their own picnic items and food to their football tailgating area. Grilling is permitted, but all grills must be elevated securely and situated on level surfaces other than parking lots and pedestrian walkways. All fires must be contained within grills. Extinguish charcoal fires thoroughly with water before leaving them unattended. Please remove extinguished charcoal from campus for disposal. Do not dump charcoal on the ground or in dumpsters. Please be advised that grilling may be prohibited in a time of drought or extremely dry conditions. Should this be a consideration, proper announcements will be made on University websites and in the local media during the week preceding an affected game date.
Visiting team guests have a designated area for grilling adjacent to the East entrance of University Stadium. This area is located on the ridge just outside the entrance gates and is clearly marked by signage.
Propane and charcoal grills are the only permissible sources of heat for cooking. Burned coals and/or residue from cooking may not be permitted to make contact with the paved surface of the parking lot. Hot coals must be completely extinguished with water prior to leaving the tailgating site.

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