Growing up, getting down

You kids better behave back there, or we're turning this tailgate right around and going home.\nAnd if we don't clean up our act, it'll be much more than a time-out in the corner for many students, who don't find the football games particularly interesting but enjoy an afternoon outside of the stadium for BBQ and "wholesome" fun.\nAfter IU Police Department officer Brian Oliger was injured when he tried to arrest a man on charges of disorderly conduct last weekend, IU officials are keeping a close eye on those partying in the "Red Lot" on 17th Street.\n "All of us have shared a growing concern about what we've seen in that lot," Kit Klingelhoffer, IU's associate athletics director, told the Associated Press.\n"After every football season, we review our entire operation. But certainly very high on our list this year will be that lot across 17th Street," he said.\nAnd what could they be considering? Well, after last year's increase in police patrols, including mounted officers at our sister campus in Indianapolis, the University does have its options.\nOther schools go so far as to only admit those with tickets to the game into the tailgating areas. And since the athletics department doesn't exactly predict a skyrocket in football ticket sales, this might pose a problem for those students who want to enjoy, at the very least, the football "season."\nOh, shall we forget to mention that though alcohol possession is not permitted on most University property, consumption is generally allowed at the tailgating events. If they decide to take another Draconian step to ensure safety at our fall outings, it's pretty safe to assume that our libations might be the first to go.\nNow, upon review of our behavior at the Purdue/Indiana battle of the titans, it pains us to say that University and police officials are not out of line in their thinking. Money will be needed for the extra patrols and the administration/student love relationship will certainly suffer. But there's no excuse for sending an officer to the hospital and forcing more than 70 officers from four police departments to shut down the fiesta. \nIt's a shame they have to drop the ruler on our knuckles for our misbehavior, but we're asking for it.\nIf we want to have our time by the field, then we should be able to do so without having a babysitter. But if we want to be treated like big boys and girls, then we have to act like them.\nThere's a certain panache to partying with grace. It's a skill that too few students possess. If the reputation of being able to throw-down with style isn't enough for the student body, then perhaps the threat of further restrictions will have us think again.