POL 04.05.03 - Tailgating Policy
About this Policy
- Authority:
- Chancellor
- Responsible Office:
- Director of Athletics
- Date Established:
- 05-01-2007
- Last Revised:
- 08-19-2024
1. GOVERNING PRINCIPLES
1.1 This policy governs all Tailgating events on UNCP's campus, which are to only be held in the designated lots and during the designated times.
1.2 It is illegal and a violation of university policy for any person less than 21 years of age to consume, purchase, or possess an alcoholic beverage. All policies and procedures for possession, consumption, and handling of alcoholic beverages must comply with N.C.G.S, Chapter 18B, and university policy. Violators will be disciplined in accordance with appropriate university rules and regulations, in addition to penalties under state law. All tailgating participants should be familiar with the alcohol beverage laws of North Carolina. Student possession and/or consumption of any alcoholic beverage are prohibited at all locations except as indicated in the UNCP Drug and Alcohol Policy. A current exception to the UNCP Drug and Alcohol policy is students aged 21 years and older are permitted to possess and consume alcohol while tailgating in designated areas or parking lots, as outlined below.
1.3 UNCP reserves the right to amend this policy at any time and for any reason without notice, including closing any parking lots, and to place additional restrictions or conditions on persons entering areas where tailgating is allowed.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1 Tailgating‑ Parking or gathering prior to a university approved event on designated areas of the UNCP campus, where preparation and/or consumption of food and/or alcohol is permitted.
2.2 Alcohol ‑ Approved alcoholic beverages at University tailgating events are malt beverages and unfortified wine.
2.3 Keg ‑ Any container that holds, or is capable of holding, more than one (1) gallon at a single time of a malt beverage or unfortified wine.
2.4 Grilling – Propane and charcoal grills are only allowed in Lots 24 and 14. Grills using propane gas are preferred. The maximum propane gas cylinder size allowed is twenty (20) lbs. Grills using charcoal are permitted, but users must dispose of coals in marked containers located in Lots 24 and 14. Tailgaters should not dispose of charcoal in any non-marked container or in grass, woods, parking lots, or trash cans.
2.5 Deep Frying - cooking with hot oil and/or grease.
3. REQUEST FOR TAILGATING OTHER THAN FOOTBALL
3.1 All requests to tailgate must be submitted to the Chief of Police no less than 30 calendar days prior to the event taking place.
3.2 Requests must include the following:
3.2.1 Parking lots where tailgating is to be held. Use lot numbers list on UNCP Campus Map.
3.2.2 Work order from facilities requesting waste containers and hot coal disposal containers if applicable
3.2.3 Beginning and ending times for the tailgating event, with procedure for ending tailgating
3.2.4 Anticipated number of people at tailgating event
3.2.5 Contact information for Division staff who are organizing and managing tailgating and if Division staff will be present during the entire tailgating event.
3.2.6 Description of the tailgated event (i.e. Baseball, Soccer, etc.)
3.3 If the Chief of Police has approved the event, the responsible Cabinet Member will bring the tailgating event request to Cabinet. Cabinet will consider the requests and approve as is, modify, or deny requests.
3.4 The Chief of Police, in their sole discretion, will determine what resources will need to be used to ensure good order and safety at the event, in the context of other events going on at the campus.
3.5 Any security or policing resources that cannot be met with the shift(s) typically assigned on the day of the event, will be brought in from external agencies or vendors. External costs will be billed to the unit hosting the event.
4. TAILGATING AT UNCP FOOTBALL GAMES
4.1 Tailgating is permitted in designated areas at all home NCAA football games and scrimmages and may begin no more than four‑and‑a‑half (4.5) hours before an event and must end promptly at the beginning of the third quarter.
4.2 The Director of Athletics is responsible for posting signs in designated tailgating parking lots that communicate the tailgating policy and state laws.
4.3 All tailgaters are responsible for the proper disposal of their trash and other debris. UNCP Facilities Operations will provide trash containers in tailgating areas and will periodically pick up trash during tailgating hours. Containers will be provided for the disposal of hot coals. For safety purposes, glass containers are not allowed in tailgating areas.
4.4 Campus police will provide mobile patrol through designated tailgating areas before, during, and after the games. Campus police will be stationed in or nearby designated tailgating areas to enforce campus policy and state laws.
4.5 Lot 14 and 24 ‑ Lot 14 and 24 will be closed beginning at 9:00 p.m. the evening prior to a game. Any car remaining in either lot will be towed at 7:00 a.m. on the day of games. UNCP students, faculty, and staff with valid UNCP parking permits who normally park in either lot may relocate their vehicles to any legal parking lot on campus except lots 14 and 24. Notification of the need to move vehicles will begin a week prior to any home game. Vehicles remaining will be towed at owner's expense. All vehicles must be removed from lots 14 and 24 no later than 2 hours after the end of the game.
4.5.1 Lot 14 is a paid parking lot. The Athletic Department will assist in directing cars in this lot. Motor homes and RVs are permitted to park in Lot 14 at the NW corner.
4.5.2 Lot 24 access is by special permit only. The Vice Chancellor for Advancement will issue Lot 24 permits.
5. PROHIBITIONS
5.1 In addition to violations of state laws or the direction of administrative decisions, the following are prohibited during tailgating:
5.1.1 Games of entertainment that use alcohol or implements, which encourage excessive alcohol consumption.
5.1.2 Deep frying or any form of frying with hot oil and/or grease, due to the inherent danger of cooking with hot oil and grease, the likelihood of serious injury from an incident involving the hot oil or grease, and the environmental issues associated with proper disposal of used cooking oil and grease.
5.1.3 Kegs for any event. A keg is any container that holds, or is capable of holding, more than one (1) gallon at a single time of a malt beverage or unfortified wine.
5.1.4 Public display of alcoholic beverage brand label packaging. All beverages must be in a cup. Glass containers are prohibited in all tailgating areas.