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Proposal increases student tailgating space |
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Wednesday, 12 August 2009 |
by EDWARD SZTUKOWSKI
News Editor
As Appalachian State University football grows in popularity, so grows the demand for tailgating spots.
Student Government Association President Jonathan H. Meisner and Vice President Michele D. Armstrong drafted a proposal to provide students with more tailgating spots on campus, while lowering the available spots for Yosef Club members.
According to the proposal, there are approximately 2,670 parking spaces used on football game days. The Yosef Club reserves 2,538 spaces, while 275 spaces are made available to students.
Under the proposition, Raley Parking Lot and Greenwood Parking Lot
would be reserved for students, changing the available spaces to 646
for students and 2,167 for the Yosef Club.
Currently, Raley and Greenwood are split between Yosef Club members and students who use a lottery system.
SGA argues since amount of money given to athletics from students
outweighs the donations given from the Yosef Club, students should
receive more tailgating spots. Students pay $556 each year towards
athletics. This adds up to over $8.09 million, while the
Yosef Club donations last year are estimated at $2.68 million.
“I’ve heard concerns we are asking for too much,” Meisner said. “At the same time, if you look at the numbers, it’s fair.”
Meisner said while the proposal is more reasonable for students, it’s still not entirely fair.
“When you look at the numbers, the proposal is somewhat still cheating
students,” Meisner said. “We should never have been allowed so few
spots in the first place.”
Since the proposal was introduced, Meisner and Kindsay B. Greene,
director of business development in the Office of Athletic Development,
have talked and are currently negotiating it.
“As a department in general, we have to be responsible to our students,
alumni and supporters,” Greene said. “As we make decisions we have to
take care of all parties to make sure it’s fair.”
Greene and Meisner discussed the possibility of more green space
tailgating for students, similar to the way Duck Pond Field is
currently used for tailgating.
Greene says with 40 percent of the student population living on campus,
the majority of game day fans come from out of town and need parking.
Greene and Meisner say they will continue to discuss different possibilities throughout the year.
“We are more than aware we average between 8,000 and 9,000 students per
game. Students make the atmosphere, there’s nothing quite like it in
the FCS,” Greene said. “We’re not going to close the door, but we want
to be realistic.”
While Meisner is disappointed students will not see a gain in tailgating spots this year, he is optimistic about the future.
“The proposal will be discussed on a committee consisting of a mix of
students and alumni,” Meisner said. “We’re all on the same team, and
we’ll research and go more in depth throughout the year.
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