Ask a current student anything

[KnightHound]

I don't think some of you guys realize what the atmosphere is like for the students in the lots on game days. There is constant harasment by the Middlesex county sheriff's department. We host a fairly large tailgate in the Blue Lot, lots of middle age people, young alumni and current students. And like clockwork the MCSD is always hanging around looking to pick off underage drinking. They card the same people multiple times and are just looking to give anyone who looks under 30 a hard time.
It doesn't matter if students got passes to the lots they would never be left alone.
They truly have nowhere to go.

 

[rutino]

I don't think some of you guys realize what the atmosphere is like for the students in the lots on game days. There is constant harasment by the Middlesex county sheriff's department. We host a fairly large tailgate in the Blue Lot, lots of middle age people, young alumni and current students. And like clockwork the MCSD is always hanging around looking to pick off underage drinking. They card the same people multiple times and are just looking to give anyone who looks under 30 a hard time.
It doesn't matter if students got passes to the lots they would never be left alone.
They truly have nowhere to go.

I think I told this story here before and I know others have reported similar incidents. My daughter was at a friend's parents tailgate. The friend pulled a beer out of a cooler, popped the top, and before he took a sip he saw the cops moving toward him. He passed the beer to his father without taking a sip but was still given a ticket for underage possession. She's a 2014 grad and said her senior year they were constantly asked by the Police to produce ID and eventually just stayed on College Ave on game day.

 

[knightfan7]

But not monitoring and doing what's necessary to control underage drinking at a school sponsored event (football game) would be viewed as akin to permitting it. That's what a lot of people don't seem to grasp.

At the same time I'm not so dumb that I don't think some police abuse their position and make life tough for people.

Don't know what the answer is.

 

[RUtix4me]

What is the tallest mountain in South America? No googling.

 

[KnightHound]

But not monitoring and doing what's necessary to control underage drinking at a school sponsored event (football game) would be viewed as akin to permitting it. That's what a lot of people don't seem to grasp.

Listen, I have never been to a tailgate be it a Pro or college game, and I've been to alot, where the profiling and harasment of people who don't look to be of legal drinking age is as bad as it is at Rutgers. I've never seen this level of enforcement anywhere.

 

[RU85inFla]

I think I told this story here before and I know others have reported similar incidents. My daughter was at a friend's parents tailgate. The friend pulled a beer out of a cooler, popped the top, and before he took a sip he saw the cops moving toward him. He passed the beer to his father without taking a sip but was still given a ticket for underage possession. She's a 2014 grad and said her senior year they were constantly asked by the Police to produce ID and eventually just stayed on College Ave on game day.

And 30 years ago when the toilets in the Knight Club were overflowing in the ladies room and my buddies had to use the alley because the ladies we all in the men's room, the predecessors to those assholes arrested my buddies for public urination. Guess what, the local cops around New Brunswick are still douche bags. What's new? Maybe the students that go to the game should kneel during the anthem.

 

[knightfan7]

Pablo Escobar's stash of coke in Colombia?

 

[mal359]

And 30 years ago when the toilets in the Knight Club were overflowing in the ladies room and my buddies had to use the alley because the ladies we all in the men's room, the predecessors to those assholes arrested my buddies for public urination. Guess what, the local cops around New Brunswick are still douche bags. What's new? Maybe the students that go to the game should kneel during the anthem.

I'm sorry that your generation was too afraid to stand up to the police.

 

[rutino]

And 30 years ago when the toilets in the Knight Club were overflowing in the ladies room and my buddies had to use the alley because the ladies we all in the men's room, the predecessors to those assholes arrested my buddies for public urination. Guess what, the local cops around New Brunswick are still douche bags. What's new? Maybe the students that go to the game should kneel during the anthem.

There's no reason to be so rude.

 

[RU85inFla]

I'm sorry that your generation was too afraid to stand up to the police.

Funny and misinformed.

 

[retired711]

Its about protecting against lawsuits instead of accepting the risk of being a major university with a large student body who want to party like college kids when they get a chance.

Stop the nonsense about eliminating risk. Life is risk.

Some risks are prudent to to take, and some are not. This one is not. All we need is for someone who has had a couple of drinks getting into an accident driving away from the alley, and someone will file suit claiming the university was negligent by allowing the alley. Maybe the law shouldn't allow such suits, but it does, and there is a pretty good chance that Rutgers would lose it. The last thing you should want is for Rutgers to spend its scarce resources defending more law suits, and paying settlements or damages.

 

[knightfan7]

Listen, I have never been to a tailgate be it a Pro or college game, and I've been to alot, where the profiling and harasment of people who don't look to be of legal drinking age is as bad as it is at Rutgers. I've never seen this level of enforcement anywhere.

I admit I can't speak about any interaction with the MCSD, NBPD, PPD, or RUPD in my years attending games. I'm almost always a tailgate of 2 unless I meet up with a friend and his family in the Yellow. Also not a real drinker. 1 or 2 before the game and none after has been my personal limit for the last 10-15 years. I'm a great Designated Driver lol.

When I read these stories which I completely believe btw, it bothers me. There are a lot of times a "hey, you can't be doing that ok?" would work just as well as being so heavy handed. I know being a real jerk is never the answer but neither is turning your back. As I said earlier, I don't know what's a possible solution.

 

[FanuSanu52]

But not monitoring and doing what's necessary to control underage drinking at a school sponsored event (football game) would be viewed as akin to permitting it. That's what a lot of people don't seem to grasp.

At the same time I'm not so dumb that I don't think some police abuse their position and make life tough for people.

Don't know what the answer is.

But college students do this at all forms of school sponsored events and locations.

 

[knightfan7]

But college students do this at all forms of school sponsored events and locations.

Would have no idea so I take your word for it.

 

[scarletrider]

Looks like the real problem is the Middlesex police dept. With our population we should vote everyone out of their office in that administration.

 

[knightfan7]

Is the Sheriff an elected position? Just register all the students with their RU address. That'll learn em lol.

 

[FELONIOUSMONK]

Can I audit that class?I wish they had classes like this one back in the bad ol' days. I guess the concept would have had to exist for that to happen but it would have given those who buy and sell various commodities a head start in their professional lives. Salesmen used to be born but never trained for the job. Good luck.

 

[RU848789]

Can you get us some weed? :>)

Don't listen to folks giving you a hard time about not paying 100% attention in class. The most important thing about college, academically, is learning how to learn, learning the core concepts of your future area of expertise and learning how to communicate and solve problems (especially on teams). If you've already done that, great - if not, get to work on it. There isn't that much specific info one from college that one actually uses regularly, anyway, plus finding info is so much easier these days with the web. Met a few supply chain majors yesterday at the Mega Career Fair at Werblin - huge turnout.

 

[brodo]

What is the tallest mountain in South America? No googling.

I used to know this. It's in Ecuador. The summit of that mountain is the point on Earth furthest from the center of the Earth. It's something like Mount Chimpazaro, but I'm not sure.

 

[FanuSanu52]

I used to know this. It's in Ecuador. The summit of that mountain is the point on Earth furthest from the center of the Earth. It's something like Mount Chimpazaro, but I'm not sure.

Aconcagua, and no Google. Think I even spelled it right - no spell check underlining.

 

[FanuSanu52]

Argentina

 

[brodo]

Aconcagua, and no Google. Think I even spelled it right - no spell check underlining.

Yep, you're right. Correct spelling, too.

 

[BlockR]

Ill repost this. I have an LEO background. The problem is there are too many different agencies doing enforcement at Rutgers on game day.Combine that with what appears to be no uniform direction for ALL the police working this overtime paid postion to follow.When you hire PDs that dont interact with the public daily,for calls of service ,like the Middlesex Sherriff..NJ Transit police,then you get an uneven enforcement and, sad to say, some of these LEO that dont know when or how to apply enforcement in certain situations to general public because its not their daily function.
Rutgers is part of the problem also because they need to tell the LEOs what they want enforced,crowd control and saftey,rowdy behavior,underage open consumption ? Rutgers is probably paying 100s thousand dollars in OT pay to these officers...

 

[BlockR]

also,Rutgers could assign the Middelsex Sherriff detail working the game traffic controll,or just crowd control at front of stadium and NOT working in the lots...Its Rutgers money,there is no law saying they have to hire the Middlsex County sherrifs....Rutgers can hire whomever they want for gameday.

 

[bethlehemfan]

Isn't there free busing from college avenue? At penn state at least from what I've seen at penn state there were a lot of students that bussed or walked to the stadium and I don't think for many of them it was farther then the trek from college Avenue. Additionally a lot of students tailgated mixed in with season ticket holders. Now from what I saw they weren't harassed by cops but seems to me where there's a will there's a way.

 

[FanuSanu52]

Yep, you're right. Correct spelling, too.

Well, we both learned something. Had never heard of the Ecuadorian mountain you mentioned, so looked it up. Wiki:

With a peak elevation of 6,263 m (20,548 ft), Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador. It is the highest peak near the equator. Chimborazo is not the highest mountain by elevation above sea level, but its location along the equatorial bulge makes its summit the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center.

Interesting, never thought about that particular statistic.

 

[ScarletKid2008]

The students loved the alley because it essentially was like a DJ played concert. The energy and excitement of that atmosphere is unmatched and would never fly in the paid lots. The bigger the better. The student organizations should essentially create that environment but with controls on crowd size and obviously ID checks. Without the ID checks RU can't be anywhere near this thing in this sad day and age. If the environment is good you'll still pack it with 2-3k junior and senior students.

Also we are now in this predicament directly because of two reasons. 1) aggressive and boderline harassing policing tactics- I specifically have stayed in Purple because we're a bunch of older 20 to young 30 somethings and the police would constantly bombard us asking for IDs. And 2) a few vocal donors in Blue got fed up with their tailgates being overcrowded by unruly students. Otherwise the blue lot was perfectly fine for as long as I've ever known

 

[brodo]

Well, we both learned something. Had never heard of the Ecuadorian mountain you mentioned, so looked it up. Wiki:

With a peak elevation of 6,263 m (20,548 ft), Chimborazo is the highest mountain in Ecuador. It is the highest peak near the equator. Chimborazo is not the highest mountain by elevation above sea level, but its location along the equatorial bulge makes its summit the farthest point on the Earth's surface from the Earth's center.

Interesting, never thought about that particular statistic.

Here's an interesting tidbit about equatorial bulge. Because of it, you are further from the center of the earth while on the beaches of Ecuador than you are at the top of Mount Everest.

 

[mildone]

Here's an interesting tidbit about equatorial bulge. Because of it, you are further from the center of the earth while on the beaches of Ecuador than you are at the top of Mount Everest.

I was getting an equatorial bulge. Is why I'm doing the no-carb thing these days.

 

[rubigtimenow]

2) a few vocal donors in Blue got fed up with their tailgates being overcrowded by unruly students. Otherwise the blue lot was perfectly fine for as long as I've ever known

I think it's more appropriate/realistic to highlight the second half of your #2 point, I.e. "tailgates being overcrowded by unruly students". I walked through the first couple rows of Blue for the first B1G game v state penn and it was insane!!!
Side note: as others mentioned, when you have over 40 people (some double) congregating around your little tailgate spot, and you have someone blaring music with no disregard for your neighbors, not only are you obviously selfish and inconsiderate but you're also naive to think someone isn't going to complain.

 

[ron313]

Terrible class.

Love that class

 

[mildone]

Some risks are prudent to to take, and some are not. This one is not. All we need is for someone who has had a couple of drinks getting into an accident driving away from the alley, and someone will file suit claiming the university was negligent by allowing the alley. Maybe the law shouldn't allow such suits, but it does, and there is a pretty good chance that Rutgers would lose it. The last thing you should want is for Rutgers to spend its scarce resources defending more law suits, and paying settlements or damages.

I wonder. I mean, the same liability risk exists in all the tailgating lots, does it not? If the school takes reasonably prudent measures to ensure underage drinking isn't happening, then anybody in the Alley or any other lot that drives drunk is responsible for themselves.

The school isn't supplying the liquor. So it's not the same as a bar that serves a patron that then leaves and gets in an accident. Could a student at the Alley that is not drinking have an accident and win a suit against the university? Wouldn't there have to some form of negligence, or an attractive nuisance or something along those lines before the school is liable?

 

[ClassOf02]

I wonder. I mean, the same liability risk exists in all the tailgating lots, does it not? If the school takes reasonably prudent measures to ensure underage drinking isn't happening, then anybody in the Alley or any other lot that drives drunk is responsible for themselves.

The school isn't supplying the liquor. So it's not the same as a bar that serves a patron that then leaves and gets in an accident. Could a student at the Alley that is not drinking have an accident and win a suit against the university? Wouldn't there have to some form of negligence, or an attractive nuisance or something along those lines before the school is liable?

In Middlesex County, anything is possible. One of the most litigious counties in the country. Plaintiffs are practically golden before anything even begins. IMO, one of RU's biggest disadvantages.

 

[knightfan7]

I wonder. I mean, the same liability risk exists in all the tailgating lots, does it not? If the school takes reasonably prudent measures to ensure underage drinking isn't happening, then anybody in the Alley or any other lot that drives drunk is responsible for themselves.

The school isn't supplying the liquor. So it's not the same as a bar that serves a patron that then leaves and gets in an accident. Could a student at the Alley that is not drinking have an accident and win a suit against the university? Wouldn't there have to some form of negligence, or an attractive nuisance or something along those lines before the school is liable?

Again I think a lot revolves around the fact RU created the Alley. It'd be hard to say you have no responsibility for what goes on at a place you created on your property. Then there's the whole underage thing. Think about it this way. We've all read about house parties where there's minors attending. Who gets in trouble if the cops bust it? The parents or homeowners do right? Now take that party and multiply it by 50 or more and you have the Alley

I think there's a way to bring it back but the restrictions and security presence would not go over well with most students I'm guessing.

 

[RUCONN]

I wasn't aware student tailgating in the lots has changed so much. It's such a shame. Even after graduating, back when I was in Blue, interacting with the students in the lots was a fun part of gameday.

If a designated student lot won't work, for 2017 they should create a young alumni lot in the back of the blue lot (50-100 spots) or just use the alley again after space issues are improved. Recent grads can host tailgates and students will come or purchase passes via secondary market. Older fans won't be overrun by the big crowds and RU would be less liable. This would still require law enforcement to lighten up, but if that doesn't happen, nothing will work anyway.

 

[RUin2WIN]

So what you're saying is the same problems that followed the students from every location would again be a problem somewhere else? Exactly who's fault would that be? I don't care whether you're 21 or 101, where does personal responsibility and a sense of right and wrong fall in your priorities?

Once again why do you need 1,000-2,000 people in one location? I'd bet if you checked other schools all students don't attend one particular tailgate. More likely it's a bunch of much smaller ones spread out around the campus.

The Alley was 25 separate tailgates and it was estimated at 2500-3000 people. That's about 100 each if we go with the low estimate. That's the same number of people that would be at multiple smaller tailgates that you're suggesting. Except now they're spread out and can't be as easily controlled.

 

[AshSaturday]

I don't think some of you guys realize what the atmosphere is like for the students in the lots on game days. There is constant harasment by the Middlesex county sheriff's department. We host a fairly large tailgate in the Blue Lot, lots of middle age people, young alumni and current students. And like clockwork the MCSD is always hanging around looking to pick off underage drinking. They card the same people multiple times and are just looking to give anyone who looks under 30 a hard time.
It doesn't matter if students got passes to the lots they would never be left alone.
They truly have nowhere to go.[/QUOTn

Perhaps one thing you can try is to tailgate in another lot. Our tailgate in the yellow lot is mostly older alum but b we also have recent grads and undergrads-and kids. We're lucky to see cops more than once or twice.

 

[mildone]

I think there's a way to bring it back but the restrictions and security presence would not go over well with most students I'm guessing.

I agree at least with the first part of that. I guess it's probably true that a lot of underage students will not like having any security presence, but that's unrealistic on their part. But a "student" area will also likely include recent grads, as well as seniors. And it sounds like they are being harassed continually, which the school needs to address.

As an investment in the future of the program, I think it's well worth RU spending the resources on trying to create a really fun environment for 21+ kids. I also think they should find a way to encourage under 21 students, but obviously it cannot be with the school condoning or allowing underage drinking.

The real solution to this is to lower the damn drinking age to at least 18, if not lower.

 

[knightfan7]

I agree at least with the first part of that. I guess it's probably true that a lot of underage students will not like having any security presence, but that's unrealistic on their part. But a "student" area will also likely include recent grads, as well as seniors. And it sounds like they are being harassed continually, which the school needs to address.

As an investment in the future of the program, I think it's well worth RU spending the resources on trying to create a really fun environment for 21+ kids. I also think they should find a way to encourage under 21 students, but obviously it cannot be with the school condoning or allowing underage drinking.

The real solution to this is to lower the damn drinking age to at least 18, if not lower.

There is no political group or lobby that will take a 18 year old stance. Not even the liquor lobby.

Viet Nam and the draft was a big reason it was lowered 45 years ago. Pressure groups got raised back to 21. Can't see it ever being changed again.

 

[RUin2WIN]

There is no political group or lobby that will take a 18 year old stance. Not even the liquor lobby.

Viet Nam and the draft was a big reason it was lowered 45 years ago. Pressure groups got raised back to 21. Can't see it ever being changed again.

Looks like its time for me to run for office...my only goal will be to lobby for a lower drinking age and more education on safe alcohol consumption.