This fall many UF students will take the hour-and-a-half trek up to Jacksonville for the yearly tradition of the UF-Georgia football game. But if President Machen has his way, students will find a very different situation awaiting them in Jacksonville.
In a letter to Mayor Peyton of Jacksonville, President Machen and Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin expressed their concern about the safety of UF students in locations like the Landing. In the letter, the two administrators laid out plans they believe will keep students safe if implemented. Included are changes like the prohibition of shots at the Landing, a 50 percent decrease in temporary alcohol distribution points and a shifting of the total cost of the Sideline Safety Zones to the City of Jacksonville.
It has already been reported in the press that the contract UF has with the City of Jacksonville is up for renewal after next year and that the city's compliance with these demands will determine the likelihood that the game will continue to be hosted in Jacksonville.
My feeling on this issue is that President Machen has his heart in the right place and is doing his job by trying to protect the students, but I believe that there is more to the solution. I do not feel that limiting the availability of alcohol at the Landing will truly solve the problems that have presented themselves in the last few years. We need to provide education and awareness to the student body instead of making decisions for them.
President Machen devoted an entire section of his letter to the success of the popular and efficient Sideline Safety Program. I believe that an increase in safety precautions like these are necessary to help protect students. With this in mind and with an understanding of the university's difficult economic situation, I think that it makes sense to ask for more support from the City of Jacksonville to fund these life saving programs.
Programs like the Sideline Safety Program in combination with education campaigns on the dangers of excessive drinking and awareness efforts to help students understand their limits will be more effective than making purchasing decisions for students. I hesitate to support policies that would decentralize drinking into areas of Jacksonville that do not have the same safety measures provided in areas like the Landing.
To truly provide a safe UF-Georgia weekend, the university must work towards providing a safe alternative to the Landing. That's why I have been working with President Machen to plan a concert the night before the game and an official tailgate outside of the stadium on Game day. By giving students options that don't simply involve drinking at the Landing, we decrease the risks involved of everyone being in one place. We also improve the ability to provide assistance to individuals by ensuring that safety zones are present at all of these activities.
While the 'World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party' may be slightly different this year, I think we can make sure it will be even more entertaining for all of the students while still preserving the safety of everyone involved and the longstanding tradition of the UF-Georgia game.
Jordan Johnson is a business senior at UF.
