OUR VIEWS Consensus Opinion

Got tickets?

Many students who camped out for tickets to tomorrow's football game against Notre Dame were disappointed when they were turned away without tickets after the line barely moved, although 7500 student tickets were distributed for this game, just like any other home contest. This stagnant line resulted from many of the tickets going to groups with block seating, which can have as many as 300 people.

Some students took unfair advantage of the high demand for tickets by scalping. Many tickets to the game showed up on eBay for well over $100, while other students sold their tickets in person. Scalping is illegal and against the Honor Code. Students should not abuse the system, but the administration should ensure policies are in place to protect student tickets such as scanning BuzzCards at the gate.

As for those selling their tickets, it is unfortunate that any student would put themselves above the rest of the student body by redeeming their vouchers for tickets they have no intention of using for themselves. By using their tickets to make money rather than to attend the game and support their school, these students are taking tickets away from other students who have also paid their Student Activity Fee and deserve a fair chance to get a seat. By selling tickets for profit, these students are walking a fine moral line and keeping students from supporting their peers representing them on the field. Many of these tickets are being sold to students from other schools, which means that the football team is playing in front of fewer Tech fans.

If the administration truly believes that selling student tickets is an Honor Code violation, there need to be strong consequences to make students follow policies. For instance, blocks distributing tickets to non-students should lose their ability to form a block if caught. At Notre Dame, students and fans caught scalping tickets are banned from games for four years. Such measures may be harsh, but they can be extremely effective in deterring possible offenders, and Tech may benefit by implementing similar preventative measures.

For such a highly anticipated event, the student ticketing for tomorrow's game could have been planned better. However, the partial solution to the ticket shortage problem, a live screening of the game in Yellow Jacket Park so students can watch the game together, was pulled together quickly and at least shows thoughtfulness.

After the season ends, the AA needs to explore possible changes to the ticketing system. A loyalty program similar to the one used for men's basketball may be helpful, though they should avoid an overarching policy that makes it difficult to attend less popular games.