Howard Football Tailgating Policy

Football Tailgating Policy

The following policies and procedure concerning parking, tailgating, fan conduct and Greene Stadium are designed to help guide fans' event planning and ensuring a family friendly, safe and enjoyable experience for all! Go Bison!

Tailgating at Howard is $75 for a single game and that includes two parking passes  per space. The rate for the homecoming game is $150.

CLICK HERE to download a tailgating form (Microsoft Word)

CLICK HERE to download a tailgating form (PDF)

Conduct Code:
The Howard University (HU) Department of Athletics in a coordinated effort with Howard University Police Department, Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, Howard University Office of Student Affairs, Department of Alumni Relations, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has a responsibility to provide a safe environment at all Howard University athletic events. The goals and objectives of the Howard University Football Tailgating Policies are to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment that will enhance and promote integrity, civility, ethical conduct and good sportsmanship amongst fans, students and players attending the game(s)/event(s).

The Howard University Athletics Department does not condone behavior or actions that are contrary to the goals and objectives listed below. At its discretion, the University may terminate tailgate parties, or take other appropriate actions toward individuals, groups, or organizations whose conduct is in violation of or conflict with the outlined HU Football Tailgating policies and regulations, and/or local/state/federal ordinances or laws.

Failure to comply with directions from HU officials (i.e. faculty, staff, or HUPD officers) may result in initiation of HU Student Conduct Code proceedings: result in HU Student Conduct Code sanctions, and HU Police Department or MPD involvement. Additionally, the university expects all students, student groups, faculty, staff, alumni and guests to comply with all current laws of the District of Columbia. It is the responsibility of each individual to be aware of, and to abide by, all local ordinances and university regulations. Current laws provide for severe penalties for violations which may result in a criminal record. Profanity, intoxication, aggressive behavior and unsportsmanlike conduct may be grounds for revocation of tailgate privileges. Violations may be prosecuted under applicable local, state and federal laws as well as through university disciplinary action.

On Site Tailgate Event Coordinator:
The staff working tailgating will inform the Tailgate Event Coordinator immediately of any observed problems, document how the problem occurred and how the group handled the situation. This written evaluation (noting any policy violations, the individuals/group's cooperation levels, positive behavior, and Bison spirit) will be given to the Department of Athletics on the following Monday. Failure to comply with tailgating policies may result in loss of tailgating privileges or possible student organizational judicial charges. University Staff and HU Police Department have the right to remove any individual or group from the tailgating area due to inappropriate or unsafe behavior.

Conference Sportsmanship Agreement:
HU is committed to the ideals of good sportsmanship and fair play. We ask all persons to please show respect for the opposing team, game officials and each other. Persons throwing objects or participating in other acts in conflict with good sportsmanship and fair play are subject to ejection. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Opening/Closing:
Tailgaters may enter the parking area 4 (four) hours before game time. Each space must be cleaned and vacated 1 (one) hour after the end of each game. All trash must be disposed of in the proper receptacles.

Parking Policies:
All vehicles entering the Howard University Center tailgating lot must have a reserved space parking pass. No exceptions will be made. It is the responsibility of the reserved space holder on record to distribute parking passes to guests. For information on how to purchase a reserved tailgating space for single games and Homecoming, please contact Kevin Bruno at (202) 806-7141. Recreational vehicles (RV's), buses, trailers, box trucks and trucks are not allowed in the Howard University Center parking lot. Street parking for such vehicles is recommended, outside of the Howard University Center tailgate area in the surrounding community.

Vehicles are not permitted to park in travel lanes within the parking lot. No tents or other items may be placed in travel lanes and saving spaces for other motorists is not permitted. Vehicles that are illegally parked and/or left unattended following the closure of the tailgate area are subject to removal at the expense of the owner. Golf carts, mopeds, scooters, ATVs and go carts are not permitted in all parking lots for safety reasons.

Entertainment:
No amplified music (i.e. DJ, PA Systems, Oversized Speakers, etc.) are allowed in the tailgate area. Tailgaters are encouraged to inform the on-site Tailgate Event Coordinator when music from another tailgate party becomes a nuisance. Live musical bands are not allowed at tailgating sites. HU reserves the right to terminate any music that is deemed inappropriate to others in the area.

Food/Beverages:
Food is allowed in the individual reserved spaces. No outside catering companies are allowed on the premises. No cooking is allowed under tent or canopy structures. Only propane and charcoal cooking is permitted. Deep frying is not permitted. Propane gas grills are permitted with a maximum cylinder size of 20 lbs. Grills must be contained within the designated cooking area of the tailgate area. For safety reasons, all beverages must be consumed in opaque (not letting light pass through) plastic or paper cups.

Safety:
All tailgaters must be equipped with at least one 5lb all purpose fire extinguisher (ABC). Any hazards and/or conditions that are inconsistent with Tailgating terms and conditions must be immediately corrected or the tailgating permit and privileges will be revoked. Refunds will not be issued.

Tents:
Due to limited space tents larger than 10' x 10' are not permitted. Due to limited space oversized tents, bouncers, or any inflatable structure are not allowed in any Howard University parking lot. Staking or holes into the parking lots are not permitted. No cooking is allowed under tent or canopy structures.

Prohibited Items:
Prohibited items include:

• Devices promoting/contributing to excessive consumption of alcohol are prohibited
• Fire Pits/Bon Fires
• Fireworks
• Public Address Systems or excessively loud stereo systems that play abusive or derogatory lyrics that disrupt the tailgating experience of others
• No advertising vehicles or signs
• No apparel, souvenirs, food or beverage may be sold
• No weapons

Open fires (i.e. fire pits, bon fires, etc.) are not permitted on any Howard University property. Gas and charcoal grills (for cooking only) are permitted, but charcoal must be taken from the tailgate area upon leaving and/or dumped in the receptacles provided on the parking lot. Owner assumes all responsibility associated with their grill. All trash must be disposed of in the proper receptacles.

Ignition of any type of fireworks is not permitted so as to not endanger persons, buildings, structures, property, brush, automotive vehicles and/or equipment, etc.

The District of Columbia has set the minimum drinking age at 21 years of age. Anyone found consuming alcohol younger than this minimum age will be arrested and charged with underage consumption. The District of Columbia has made it unlawful to provide alcohol to minors. Anyone furnishing alcohol to minors will be arrested and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Alcohol beverages must be in a can, plastic bottle or an opaque (not letting light pass through) plastic cup. Glass bottles, beer kegs and party kegs are strictly prohibited. Failure to abide by this policy will result in immediate confiscation of the beer and/or alcohol.

Student Conduct:
Students and/or student organizations must adhere to all conduct responsibilities set forth in the HU Student Code of Conduct upon entering or occupying University-owned, leased, or controlled premises. Any student and/or student organization found in violation of the HU Football Tailgating Policies will be cited and/or referred to the HU Office of Special Student Services. Individual students and/or student organizations are subject to sanctions as outlined in the HU Student Code of Conduct.

Guests must adhere to all Howard University rules, and the hosting student/student organization is responsible for all guests' actions. It is the responsibility of the hosting student/student organization to inform the guest(s) of these rules. The host can be held financially responsible for the actions of a guest, and is subject to referral to the HU Office of Special Student Services for violations resulting from guest behavior. In the University's sole and absolute discretion, guests may be prohibited from entering University property (Section Eight, Student Code of Conduct).

Solicitation:
Solicitations of any kind within Howard University facilities or on HU premises are prohibited unless specifically approved in writing by Howard University Athletics. No banners, raffles or products (food, drink, apparel, etc.) from tailgate areas or parking lots may be shown, promoted, advertised or sold. Political signage that implies endorsement of any political candidate or any political issue may not be displayed nor may political materials be distributed.

Lost Items:
It is the responsibility of each tailgate party to secure all personal items prior to entering the Greene Stadium. It is strongly recommended that you lock up your valuables when entering the stadium. The Howard University, Inc. is not responsible for any items left unattended at your tailgate.

Inclement Weather:
Tailgating activities occur in conjunction with the scheduled football game. In general, the Howard University Bison will not cancel a football game due to rain, sleet, snow or cold weather. Games may be canceled, postponed or delayed due to lightening, hurricane, or extreme heat.

Indemnification:
All tailgaters agree that they will indemnify and save Howard University, Inc., its Board of Trustees, Officers, Employees and Agents harmless and free from all damage or other liabilities occasioned within the

Howard University Center parking lot or adjacent thereto by reason of any injury to persons or property occasioned by any act or omission of the tailgaters or any of its officers, agents, employees, guests or other persons admitted by the tailgater upon the premises and said tailgater agrees at its own cost and expense to defend and protect Howard University, Inc. against any and all such claims and demands including attorney and paralegal fees.

In case any damage of any kind shall be done to the said premises as a result of the tailgaters use, the tailgater shall pay such amounts as shall be necessary to put the said premises in as good an order and condition as the same were at the commencement of the event.

Howard University, Inc. shall not be liable for any loss of property or for any bodily injury on said premises, however incurred, suffered by the tailgater, its agents, employees, or guests, or their proper use.  Howard University, Inc. is hereby expressly released and discharged from any and all liabilities for any loss, injury or damages to person or property.