Clear Bag Policy Implemented for 2017 IU Football and Basketball Seasons

/

IU Athletics Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – At the recommendation of a nationally recognized security firm and in consultation with a variety of security experts, IU Athletics will be implementing a new clear bag and metal detector policy for home games at Memorial Stadium and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. To help fans, IU Athletics will provide free, clear bags at the Thursday, Aug. 31st game against Ohio State. Fans will also enter through walk through metal detectors upon entering both venues. With a capacity crowd expected for the Ohio State game, fans are encouraged to #GetHereEarly to make entering the stadium and getting to seats as smooth as possible and to avoid missing any of the game action.

IU Athletics emphasizes that these resources are not in response to any specific threat as no such threat has been received. Rather, they are being adopted as part of recommendations made by MSA Security, a firm hired by the Big Ten to assess security at conference competition venues. At the request of IU Athletics, MSA Security made site visits during home competitions at Memorial Stadium in 2016, and its recommendations included adopting a clear bag and metal detector policy. These are just two of several recommendations by MSA Security that IU Athletics is in the process of implementing, but cannot disclose due to security reasons. The adoption of a clear bag policy and the use of metal detectors are also consistent with recommendations made by Indiana University Superintendent of Public Safety Ben Hunter and gameday security provider ESG.

Indiana University is now the tenth Big Ten institution to adopt a clear bag policy, with the other four institutions not allowing any bags at all. Clear bag policies and walk through metal detectors are also common in other college and professional venues across the country.

The clear bag policy requires that all items fans wish to bring into the venue fit in either a clear plastic bag that does not exceed 12”x6”x12”, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or similar) or a small clutch bag with or without a handle/strap that does not exceed 4.5”x6.5” (approximately the size of a hand). Each patron is allowed one small clutch bag and one clear plastic bag that meets the above requirements.

For the August 31, 2017 football game against Ohio State, IU Athletics will pass out clear bags to patrons in the tailgating lots before the game. Members of the ROTC, IU Athletics staff, and other auxiliary groups will be handing these bags out in parking lots 2, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 14.

New walk through metal detectors, known as magnetometers, will be put in place at each gate of Memorial Stadium and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall starting this year. Based upon a study that measured average screening times and security quality for magnetometers in comparison to wanding metal detectors, IU Athletics has adopted ESG Security’s recommendation to use walk through metal detectors for home events. The average walk through magnetometer screening time per patron ranged from five to seven seconds, while for wandings, the average screening time per patron ranged from 12 to 15 seconds. In addition to requiring the least amount of screening time, the walk through magnetometers were also determined by the study to be less intrusive and more effective.

To communicate these changes, IU Athletics will provide signage in the parking lots reminding fans of the new policy, multiple emails detailing the clear bag policy will be sent to all ticket holders, the new policy will be featured prominently on IU Athletics social media outlets and on the IU Athletics website, and the IU Athletics texting service will send out notifications the week of the game and day of the game reminding patrons of the new policy. Fans can sign up for the texting service by texting IUFB to 313131.

With the new clear bag policy and walk through metal detectors, a large crowd expected, and ongoing construction delays on highways and roads leading to Bloomington, IU Athletics strongly encourages fans to #GetHereEarly for the August 31, 2017 game against Ohio State. Additional ticket scanners have been purchased, gameday staff has been substantially increased, limited gates will be open at 5:30 PM, and systems have been tested several times to make sure that fans are able to make their way to their seats as easily possible on gameday.

The complete clear bag policy – including which items are still allowed - is as follows:

CLEAR BAG POLICY

Bags that WILL be permitted into Memorial Stadium include:

  • Bags that are clear plastic and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
  • One gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar)
  • Small clutch bags, with or without a strap, that do not exceed 4.5” x 6.5”
    • Approximately the size of a hand
    • Does NOT need to be clear
  • Each patron is allowed one (1) small clutch bag and one (1) clear 12”x6”x12” bag or 1-gallon clear plastic freezer bag
  • All items are subject to inspection

Bags that WILL NOT be permitted into Memorial Stadium include:

  • Purses larger than a clutch bag
  • Camera/Binocular cases (binoculars must be carried by hand or via strap around neck)
  • Backpacks
  • Printed pattern plastic bags
  • Fanny packs
  • Reusable grocery totes
  • Mesh and/or straw bags
  • Duffle bags
  • Large totes

EXCEPTIONS to Clear Bag Policy:

  • Necessary medical equipment after proper inspection at Gate E1 or W2
  • Credentialed individuals (media, staff, etc.)
  • Binoculars if worn on strap around next/arm
  • Blanket (must unfold/shake at gate)
  • Cameras (Length of lens must be less than 6 inches)?
  • Phone/Keys/Wallet Correct

All items patrons bring into Memorial Stadium and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall must fit inside an approved clear bag (not including keys, phone, wallet, etc.).  Patrons will not be allowed into either venue with non-conforming bags and will be directed to return them to their vehicle.

IU Fans can get their clear bags on Amazon ($5.17) where a part of the proceeds go to help support Hoosier Huddle.