The root of UF's game-day alcohol problem stems from police negligence of the open-container law, UF researchers said at a presentation Thursday.
Students and Gainesville residents wouldn't dare to carry open alcoholic beverages through campus or on public sidewalks on other days, said Tavis Glassman, the coordinator of alcohol and drug prevention for GatorWell. But before football games, police tend to turn a blind eye to alcohol consumption, Glassman said.
"When there's more than 50,000 people breaking the law, what kind of message does that send to students?" he asked.
James Thomas, health education and behavior senior, said he thinks police are lax on game days because of the high number of UF alumni and prominent donors present.
"Once you hit a Bull Gator with a ticket, that might be the last time he donates," Thomas said.
He said he has only heard of one person receiving an open-container citation on game day.
"He forgot the Solo cup rule," Thomas said. "The policeman told us that if you have a Solo cup, you're fine. It's the cans and bottles that they come after."
Jeff Holcomb, University Police Department spokesman, said UPD has limited officers, and a Solo cup wouldn't present a probable cause for police to arrest a tailgater.
As for the accusation that police don't enforce alcohol rules because of UF alumni on campus, Holcomb said officers' main focus is to target uncontrolled alcohol sources, like kegs.
"Our efforts may eventually shift more toward the open container," he said. "It will just take time."
Virginia Dodd, a health education and behavior assistant professor, said she would like to see designated tailgating areas with security for game days.
Glassman said he and Dodd are not "knocking the police," and they understand that changing current game-day standards could take some time.
"We don't want to be framed as prohibitionists," Glassman said. "But because there are severe consequences, something needs to be done."
