New regulations introduced as football season kicks off

On Saturday, the Mississippi State University Bulldogs open its football season against the Charleston Southern University Buccaneers.

With the new season comes a few new regulations for fans to be mindful of.

Beginning this year, more stringent regulations for golf carts will be in place. All golf carts brought on campus will now be required to be street-legal, including headlights and a license plate. Carts may only be operated on streets open to public traffic, and drivers must hold a valid driver’s license.

“We’ve also had a lot of instances where there have been kids driving golf carts,” said MSU Police Department Corporal Emmitt Johnson Jr. “That stops this year.”

Golf carts must possess a valid Bulldog Club Parking Pass or Public Paid Parking Pass to park in campus lots on game day. Carts may not exit and re-enter paid lots on game days. All-terrain vehicles and other utility vehicles are prohibited on campus.

Johnson reminded fans of the rules regarding clear bags put in place last year.

Under the rules, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC not exceeding 12-by-6-by-12 inches, one- gallon freezer bags and small clutch bags without a handle or strap not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, will be permitted to enter the stadium. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after inspection at gates B and I.

Johnson said arrests were usually higher in number on game day weekends, particularly

in the area of alcohol offenses, with the number of DUI and underage drinking arrests rising.

“We’ll address them accordingly,” Johnson said.

Steel bollards will also be put in place at various points on campus to keep vehicles from getting too near the stadium.

New locations for bollards include College View Drive in front of Giles Hall and Barr Avenue in front of McArthur Hall. Other bollard locations will remain the same as in years past.

The number of MSU Police Department officers on patrol will remain the same, but outside security will be brought in to assist.

“We just want everybody to come out and enjoy themselves and know the policies,” Johnson said. “That’s basically it.”

Additional game day information can be found on the MSU athletics website.