Opening time for the lots on Aug 28th?

[Ole]

Dollars to donuts says not full, since school is out until the 2nd.

http://onestop.umn.edu/calendars/index.html

That's really the confusing part about this whole thing. It's only two hours, but the reasoning behind it is shaky at the least. Still pumped to watch some football, though.

Drove by campus today at noon.
Lot 37 jam packed............................WITH STATE FAIR PARKING.
It seemed to me that there were more cars in the other lots than normal, possibly indicating a coordinated effort by parking to accommodate the extra traffic and parking.
WTF.
If they can find the coordination around campus to allow Lot 37 to be completely full of state fair visitors on a thursday, likely opening up early this morning (aka NOT 2pm), then there simply is no excuse as to why they can't do the same thing for the season opener.

None.

 

[Tim Riggins]

As I mentioned, I'll be on campus by 11, depending on what my crew is up with, I might try to swing by some of the lots and take pictures to see if they really are full with no room for tailgaters.

Don't waste your time taking pictures, as I said the Ski U Mah lot was completely empty all day last year. Spend your time enjoying the day!

 

[DLguy]

Instead of people complaining on here, call the athletic department, tweet at Teague and Gopher Football. If they get complaints, and people explaining the lots are near empty anyways, maybe they will budge and open the lots early. It worked last year, why cant it work this year. Voice your opinions to the decision makers, not fans with the same belief.

 

[Curseislifted33]

I'll take anyone's tailgating lot pass for the opener, let me know

 

[AuEGO4]

I just thought about this and am wondering if anyone would know the rules/laws.
When I went to USC a few years back people were camped out on every available piece of grass around the stadium with tents or just coolers "tailgating". I know people are upset about the time the lots open, but are there any rules/laws forbidding someone from setting up shop on the grass next to McNamara or the Northrup Mall and tailgating before the lots open?

 

[Dr.Don]

I just thought about this and am wondering if anyone would know the rules/laws.
When I went to USC a few years back people were camped out on every available piece of grass around the stadium with tents or just coolers "tailgating". I know people are upset about the time the lots open, but are there any rules/laws forbidding someone from setting up shop on the grass next to McNamara or the Northrup Mall and tailgating before the lots open?

Good questions. The way I see it, plenty of room under various bridges though.

 

[Ski U Master]

I just thought about this and am wondering if anyone would know the rules/laws.
When I went to USC a few years back people were camped out on every available piece of grass around the stadium with tents or just coolers "tailgating". I know people are upset about the time the lots open, but are there any rules/laws forbidding someone from setting up shop on the grass next to McNamara or the Northrup Mall and tailgating before the lots open?

You can't drive on Northrop Mall man, have you ever been there? I think it would be no problem to drag a cooler in though and do that. Now, the rec fields across the train tracks from the stadium should be open for tailgating I think, but people need to come to grips with the fact that this is not a campus designed for tailgating.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

You can't drive on Northrop Mall man, have you ever been there? I think it would be no problem to drag a cooler in though and do that. Now, the rec fields across the train tracks from the stadium should be open for tailgating I think, but people need to come to grips with the fact that this is not a campus designed for tailgating.

I think the campus is fine for tailgating. There is plenty of surface lot space around the stadium. Obviously, there are competing priorities for that space, but depending upon how they allocate, how spots are reserved, and what regulations they place on it, there is no shortage of prime tailgating space within a short walk of the stadium.

 

[AuEGO4]

You can't drive on Northrop Mall man, have you ever been there? I think it would be no problem to drag a cooler in though and do that. Now, the rec fields across the train tracks from the stadium should be open for tailgating I think, but people need to come to grips with the fact that this is not a campus designed for tailgating.

You didn't understand my question. No driving on those spaces. At USC, a school in the middle of the ghetto, people would bring a chair and a cooler and pop a squat on any open grassy area. No car required. I am assuming there are laws against drinking in public places like the grassy mall area, but this would be a great option for people getting off the green line or wanting to get the party started earlier. I guess the other option is to just hit up a bar.
Just wondering how other schools allow for tailgating without a vehicle on the grassy areas.

 

[year of the gopher]

A couple responses from someone who works at the U:

-Parking on campus for employees is expensive (north of $100/month for some ramps and around $90 for others). It is not far off of downtown parking rates.
-However, most of the surface lots around the stadium are daily parking, not contract.
-U of M Parking has a history of being overly conservative in dealing with parking demand. I don't want to belabor the point with a bunch of examples, but it's something of a joke to those of us who work there. This is just another example of a culture of never, ever, ever, wanting to broach the possibility of running out of spots.
-Parking & Transportation calls the shots on the lots. Historically they and Athletics don't necessarily play in the same sandbox well. There's not much point in complaining to the athletic department. Look up U of M PTS and call them to complain.

Bottom line: The week before labor day, there are some activities on campus (welcome week, etc) but it's relatively minimal. There are NO classes in session this week. To me, there's no reason that they shouldn't be able to open at least most of the lots at Noon.