The Student Government Association’s newly created Student Involvement Committee at The University of Memphis will present a proposal to the athletics department next Monday concerning the issue of selling student seating at U of M men’s basketball games.
Members of the SGA and U of M officials are hoping the proposal will bring closure to the issue, which has sparked a tug-of-war between some student organizations and some administrators on relinquishing free seating reserved for students to the paying customers.
The athletic department cited loss of revenues stemming from a large percentage of reserved seats remaining empty during games due to low student attendance.
In contrast, some students have argued the seats should be reserved regardless, due to activity fees added to tuition that supposedly cover the admission to athletic venues.
However, SGA members hope the proposed measure will benefit both students and administrators.
The proposal will allow the athletic department to sell 1,000 student tickets during home games which normally do not attract large crowds, such as games against Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay and University of Tennessee at Martin.
Student seating will be preserved at games against University of Arkansas, University of Tennessee at Knoxville and all Conference USA games.
In addition, part of the proposal has set in motion a number of new ticket acquisition procedures for students.
Expanding the time frame for ticket acquisition, students may now secure tickets two weeks in advance, but no later than two days prior to a game.
Moreover, the measure will allow for The University to hold 100 to 200 tickets the day of the game to be released at the Pyramid box office, with unclaimed tickets to be sold to the general public at game time.
The location to acquire student tickets will also be changed from the current location at the athletic office to the Rose Theater, which is located near the University Center and will be more convenient for the student body, according to the SGA.
The sales of unclaimed student tickets must begin in the upper deck student seating area and then descend to any unclaimed seating in the lower seating area.
The new ticket procedures will begin no later than Jan. 9, according to the proposal.
Bill Porter, dean of students and adviser to the SGA, said he thinks the athletics department will be favorable towards the proposal.
“We’re offering them tickets,” Porter said.
