Cheer loud and be respectful

Leaders of University of Iowa student governments and the Hawks Nest, the official student fan group, are sending a message to UI students, encouraging them to “be proud and cheer loud” but also to “be good neighbors” as the fall football and sports season gets under way in a big way with a home game against in-state rival Iowa State Sept. 8.

In an email scheduled to go out Sept. 5, the presidents and vice presidents of the Hawks Nest, the UI Student Government, and the Executive Council of Graduate and Professional Students remind other students of the Big Ten Sportsmanship and Spirit Agreement, which the Hawks Nest was instrumental in developing last year in collaboration with students from other Big Ten universities. Among other things, the agreement encourages all fans to welcome visiting teams and their fans, to respect game officials, and to be respectful of the neighborhoods and university buildings that surround Kinnick Stadium.

Rules regarding alcohol consumption by students are also highlighted in the agreement, including warnings about overconsumption and Iowa City’s law prohibiting possession of open containers of alcoholic beverages on public sidewalks and roads.

Here are other updates for the 2012 football season that apply to all fans attending Iowa football games this fall:

• Express lanes will be used again at Kinnick Stadium for fans who bring nothing to the games but their tickets. The express lanes will be located at Gates C, G, I, J, and M. Fans are reminded that on the east side of the stadium, only Gates K and J (express lane only) will be open. All entrance gates will open 90 minutes before kickoff.
• In another change in safety guidelines, fans will be allowed to bring only one sealed bottle commercially produced water into the stadium.
• If you’re traveling to the game from outside of Iowa City, allow extra time for construction on Interstate 80 near Exit 246 at Dodge St. Additional information about highway construction in eastern Iowa is available at the Iowa Department of Transportation website.
• Fans should note the changes in fees for UI-owned parking lots: cars, $20; RVs, $50; and buses, $100. Other parking alternatives are available both on campus and around Iowa City. For example, public parking on football game day is permitted at the Iowa Memorial Union Parking Ramp and the North Campus Parking Ramp for $1 per hour, and at the Main Library Lot for 85 cents per hour.
• Likewise, Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville offers free parking and close proximity to the Hawkeye Express Train Depot, which is near the IHOP restaurant. The train begins transporting fans three hours before game time if the game starts at 11 a.m. and four hours before game if the game time is 2:30 p.m. or later. The train resumes at the end of the third quarter until 90 minutes after the game end. Round-trip tickets are $12 and children age 12 and under ride free.
• Fans who arrive on campus on the night prior to the game and park overnight in UI lots are reminded that consumption of beer and wine is not allowed in those areas until game day, beginning at 7 a.m. Iowa City’s open container law will be enforced prior to that time.
• In an effort to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere in Kinnick Stadium, warning cards will be issued to fans who engage in inappropriate behavior. Extremely bad behavior may result in removal from the stadium, arrest, and loss of ticket privileges.
• Law enforcement personnel have the discretion to keep fans from entering Kinnick Stadium if they have an item or costume that poses an apparent security risk or could cause fear or panic to other patrons.
• Access to parking lots on Thursday, Nov. 22, prior to the Nebraska game on Friday, Nov. 23, will be limited to pre-paid lots and Finkbine Commuter lot only starting at 7:30 p.m. All other lots will open at 6:00 a.m., Friday, Nov. 23.

For complete information on 2012 football game-day rules and parking, see www.hawkeyesports.com/gameday/gameday-m-footbl.html.