An Evaluation of the Alcohol Consumption Patterns of Tailgaters at Greenland Drive and Walnut Grove, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Abstract

This study was conducted as an exercise in garbology, which is the study of society through the analysis of its garbage. The researchers looked at differences and similarities between two tailgating locations, Greenland Drive and Walnut Grove, on Middle Tennessee State University’s campus.
The data showed evidence of large amounts of alcohol use at both sites with one being greater than the other. The data also showed evidence of one group of people being more affluent than the other group. Overall, the interpretation would suggest the two groups of people were using the sites in a ritualistic manner and not as a permanent settlement. The high amounts of alcohol use and small amounts of food waste would indicate the people were more interested in becoming intoxicated than with the event associated with the site use. While this was less evident at Greenland Drive, the numbers there were still high. Observations at Walnut Grove indicate that many of the participants were likely under the legal drinking age. The research indicates a need to re-evaluate the wisdom of sponsoring such events on a college campus.