UF Ambassadors of Civility and Ethics is changing your typical Saturday gameday routine.
As an effort to provide gameday attendees with a new method for tailgating, the Ambassadors will be hosting its first "Alternative Tailgating" event, with free food and games, on the Plaza of the Americas on Saturday at 11 a.m.
According to Aldreka Everett, marketing chairwoman of the UF Ambassadors of Civility and Ethics, people who attend gameday festivities tend to get out of control while under the influence. The ambassadors hope to provide a sober environment for people to see a different side of tailgating.
"We believe that the practice of tailgating can be just as enjoyable and fun for everyone without alcohol consumption," Everett said.
The UF Ambassadors of Civility and Ethics is a student-based organization that provides the Student Body with information from the Dean of Students Office regarding the conduct code and their rights as students, Everett said.
Laura Matthews, assistant director of student conduct and conflict resolution, says every once in a while a student is found in violation of school conduct on gameday. This event will hopefully provide a positive tailgating atmosphere and show students what proper gameday conduct should entail.
Matthews hopes that a game as big as Alabama will attract a lot of people to the event and student ambassadors will choose to continue the event every season, if not every game.
"It is important to have events like this because students need to be aware of their presence on campus and the expectations the university has for them," Matthews said.
Justin Ishmael, a 19-year-old UF psychology sophomore, is skeptical of the success of this event.
"It's a cute idea, but this is a college town. It's a nice effort to promote better values as a community, especially with an event so family-oriented as football games, but I'm not so convinced it will change traditional tailgates," he said.
