OXFORD, Miss. - To prevent academic disruptions, the University of Mississippi plans to crack down on tailgaters who pop tents up on campus before 6 p.m. Fridays.
"We are committed to protecting our academic Fridays," said Andy Mullins, Ole Miss executive assistant to the chancellor. "We have received numerous complaints, and we will enforce our standard gameday rules."
According to guidelines established by the Ole Miss Gameday Committee, tents are prohibited from campus before 6 p.m. on Fridays proceeding a Saturday football game. Mullins said the rule applies to all portions of campus, not just the Grove.
"Tents that are set up before 6 p.m. will be removed," Mullins said.
Tents in violation will be stored at Ole Miss' Physical Plant Department and must be picked up by 4 p.m. Fridays.
Vehicles transporting tents and other gameday items are also prohibited from parking on campus before 5 p.m. Fridays, Mullins said. Violators are subject to ticketing and/or towing.
"The early tents and trucks carrying tents and picnic paraphernalia are interfering with our normal academic day," Mullins said. "Parking trucks with trailers or setting up tents before the designated times will not be tolerated."
The strict enforcement goes into effect this weekend, when Ole Miss hosts Northern Arizona, and will continue through the remaining football schedule.
UPD Chief Calvin Sellers urged faculty, staff and students to assist with the enforcement. Anyone in the university community can report violations by calling 662-915-7234.
"The University Police Department is committed to maintaining the university's academic integrity," Sellers said. "We will enforce these gameday rules."
