I am tired of hearing alcohol being blamed for the movement of ISU student tailgating, and I will be upset if an alcohol-free lot is set up.

The use of alcohol being primarily to blame for the movement of student tailgating is an outright falsity perpetuated by the ISU administration. This lie has been used to cover the administration’s responsibilities to the students and make it harder for us to return to our previous lot. The cold simple truth of the matter is that Iowa State and its athletic department is a business. As a business, the administration’s primary goal is to maximize its profits. This is the case with the tailgating situation.

There was an opening for profit to be had. National Cyclone Club members could be enticed with a parking spot close to the stadium. The unfortunate result of this process is that the students, paying some $5,000 per year in tuition fees, were stepped on and over. The administration says the overuse of alcohol led to the decision. This is only a very small part of the reasoning. The reason this has been publicized, however, is because it places the blame squarely on students. They make it seem as though whenever a student buys Coors, Bud, Beast, Hamms or Schlitz, we sign our right away to tailgate and have fun. This was used so that we have to make sacrifices to even attempt to return to our previous spots. Knowing that students will never give up their fun, the administration has seen the decision will be safe, and without chance of being overturned.

A vote for an alcohol-free lot is only a win for Iowa State and its administration.

Mitchell Vorthmann

Senior

Animal Science