Dean of Students Pete Englin walked through the parking lots around the stadium before Saturday’s first football game against the University of Northern Iowa to get a feel for the atmosphere of pride and team spirit tailgating was going to create for this year’s football season.

After having walked through the grass lots for public parking by the Veterinary Medicine building, where a majority of students congregated, Englin said the atmosphere, excitement and activity was similar to previous years.

He said a fair amount of tailgating and drinking took place in the midst of a lot of team and school spirit.

Englin said he is not happy with students feeling alienated because of the decision to move them away from the stadium. He said despite that feeling of alienation, he saw a good amount of students enjoying themselves.

“We still have to work to provide a place for students to get excited for the game without sending a message we condone or accept dangerous drinking,” Englin said.

He did say he saw a lot of funnels and beer bongs in that parking area.

“I don’t like dangerous drinking behaviors and groups where drinking is the main focus for getting ready for the game,” Englin said.

I’m not happy with dangerous drinking behavior anywhere, but I don’t think anybody’s got a solution for that problem here or at any university.”

He said walking through the National Cyclone Club lots in the S-5 and S-6 areas was quieter than in the past.

“I would call the atmosphere spirited, but a more family-conducive environment,” Englin said. “Walking through those areas, it was quieter, but talking to those individuals, they were not less excited to get into the game with students not being there.”

Englin said he and the university are going to continue to work with students to find a better solution to the dangerous drinking issue.

Englin said if the university and students can address the behavior, he and the university will certainly work to move students closer to the stadium.