The university had to discontinue the party because of underage drinking and dangerous student behavior, its president said.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Pressed by a student to explain why Rutgers University canceled the football tailgate party for students, university President Robert Barchi on Friday said the tailgate had grown too large, was plagued by underage drinking and had become "a disaster waiting to happen."
The new university sponsored tailgate party dubbed "The Alley" worked well for the first home football game two weeks ago when about 500 students attended, Barchi said.
But when more than 1,500 students showed up last weekend, the party grew out of hand because of underage drinking and "students who were obviously inebriated doing things that were major risks to other students," Barchi said.
University policy and state and federal laws were broken, Barchi added.
"We cannot allow that to happen," Barchi said during a question-and-answer session with the University Senate, which includes faculty and students. "We cannot be the ones who either sanction it or facilitate it. That's why it was closed."
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The tailgate, hosted at a gravel lot approximately 400 yards from High Point Solutions Stadium, made national headlines this week. It was canceled amid safety concerns and after video emerged of Athletic Director Patrick Hobbs drinking a beer in front of students after trying to calm the crowd.
Avi Desai, an engineering student who serves on the University Senate and the Rutgers student government, asked Barchi to explain why the tailgate was discontinued because it's an issue students are upset about, he said.
"In the last couple days the biggest issue we have heard about from students is this," Desai said. "This is all we are getting questions about."
Barchi appeared dismayed that Desai used the question-and-answer session to inquire about tailgating.
"How many university senators think the issue of The Alley should be at the top of my agenda right now?" Barchi asked, scanning the room for hands raised. "I don't see one. Not one. OK. So take that into consideration, first of all."
The job of the university president, Barchi told Desai, is to protect the health and safety of the students and to ensure activities on campus are legal.
"If I didn't do either one of those ... you should fire me," he said
Desai said he was disappointed that Barchi didn't appear to consider "The Alley" a top priority when it's clearly something students are passionate about, he said.
Across the street from the meeting, Rutgers students sold red T-shirts with "SAVE THE ALLEY" in bold white lettering. Beneath that, the shirts read "MAKE RUTGERS GREAT AGAIN."
Half of the proceeds of from the sale of the shirts will go toward the university's dance marathon, students said.
Evan Dunatov, a senior from Edison who attended The Alley last weekend, said he understands the university's concerns but thinks the tailgate was relatively under control.
The event helped bring students together and made the atmosphere for the football game more fun, he said. If anything, the university should bring back the tailgate party in a bigger space, he said.
"Tailgating before football games is part of the college experience," Dunatov said.
The university is discussing an alternative event to replace The Alley, Barchi said.
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