No prejudice on the LSU Campus is greater than what happens at Gate 7 on gameday

This will be a wall of text, so move on if you don't want to read it.

Let me start off by saying that I am no longer a student. I earned my undergrad at LSU in 2001 prior to obtaining my law degree at Southern. I do not have children that are college-aged, however my nephew is a junior in ChemE at LSU and I work closely with law enforcement on a daily basis in and around Baton Rouge. I am neither a champion of law enforcement nor an opponent, I am simply someone who wants equal treatment for all.

A young man entered a facility. He was patted down from waist to foot, his jeans were raised to his knees, the insides of his boots were checked, a police officer's hand was placed inside his waistline before traveling the circumference of his body. He was asked to remove his hat, his upper body was patted down from waist to armpit, and he removed all contents of his pockets.

His girlfriend received similar treatment: she was patted down by a female officer, her purse opened and contents rummaged through, and her hair pressed down onto her head to check for anything concealed beneath the bun wrapped on top.

Are they entering the East Baton Rouge Parish prison? No, this is my nephew describing what happened to him and his girlfriend during his first LSU game last year as a freshman. And they are two of thousands of students that are subjected to this each and every home game. While I certainly respect the University's want to provide a safe environment to all that attend a home game, I can't help but reflect on how I am able to freely walk into the elevator prior to taking my seat in the lower level of the Stadium Club.....along with every person that enters the stadium anywhere other than Gate 7.

Why are the students subjected to such an overwhelming search of their person that rivals that of the TSA at LaGuardia, while everyone else could walk in with a flask of alcohol (gasp) or worse yet, a weapon or other contraband? Why has the University allowed the entrance to the stadium through Gate 7 evolve into what it has become? It's certainly not because the students cause MORE problems than the other ticket holders, because I can point you in the direction of several state troopers I speak to on a daily basis who say the north end of the stadium (which houses the students and band) is no worse than any other section. In fact, I personally know of several arrests for possession of marijuana, Ecstasy and other assorted accoutrements out my beloved Stadium Club.

It is time for the University to do one of two things: subject all Tiger Stadium visitors to the same treatment as the students, or overhaul their prison-like tactics at Gate 7 and treat students with the same respect as everyone else. It's only fair.