2008 Woodie Awards
Student seating to change at Memorial Stadium
Block seating eliminated, students to lose some front seats
Andy Boyle
Issue date: 3/4/08 Section: News
Osborne wasn't at the most recent meeting between ASUN and athletic department officials on Feb. 8, but he said he was told student leaders offered no objections to the plan that was presented.
Osborne said the first of any objections he heard to the plan came from an e-mail ASUN President David Solheim sent him on Monday, proposing a plan to keep a portion of the front seats open to students.
But this plan wasn't feasible, Osborne said, because the 675 seats in that section have already been sold to season ticket holders. The time to object would have been at the Feb. 8 meeting, he said, because commitments have already been made and invoices will soon be mailed to ticket holders about the change.
"We've done the best we can to be fair," he said. "If people are mad at somebody, they have to be mad at me."
But Solheim said he approached university officials much earlier than Monday. Solheim sent a proposal on Oct. 31 that he and other student leaders wrote regarding student seating to members of the Fan Behavior Group, which has members from the athletic department, student affairs, University Police and ASUN.
Solheim said he didn't get a response from the athletic department until Jan. 28, which was an e-mail asking when to meet. After some schedule shuffling, the group met on Feb. 8, which is when the plan to move students in south stadium was suggested.
"Yes, I was there," Solheim said of the meeting. "We were asked to agree (on the proposal) for the entire student body. But that's not how this university works."
Solheim said there needed to be more discussion among other members of the university.
Solheim thought he made it quite clear at that meeting the group still had some issues to discuss, he said. The group discussed whether or not it would work, and how removing block seating might create animosity among greeks.
"It wasn't a satisfactory meeting," Solheim said.
At 5:58 p.m. that day, he sent an e-mail to various administrators from the group - including one in the athletic department - about his concern for the portion of seats he wanted to keep open to students. He also wanted to know about the revenue the seating change would bring in.
Osborne said the first of any objections he heard to the plan came from an e-mail ASUN President David Solheim sent him on Monday, proposing a plan to keep a portion of the front seats open to students.
But this plan wasn't feasible, Osborne said, because the 675 seats in that section have already been sold to season ticket holders. The time to object would have been at the Feb. 8 meeting, he said, because commitments have already been made and invoices will soon be mailed to ticket holders about the change.
"We've done the best we can to be fair," he said. "If people are mad at somebody, they have to be mad at me."
But Solheim said he approached university officials much earlier than Monday. Solheim sent a proposal on Oct. 31 that he and other student leaders wrote regarding student seating to members of the Fan Behavior Group, which has members from the athletic department, student affairs, University Police and ASUN.
Solheim said he didn't get a response from the athletic department until Jan. 28, which was an e-mail asking when to meet. After some schedule shuffling, the group met on Feb. 8, which is when the plan to move students in south stadium was suggested.
"Yes, I was there," Solheim said of the meeting. "We were asked to agree (on the proposal) for the entire student body. But that's not how this university works."
Solheim said there needed to be more discussion among other members of the university.
Solheim thought he made it quite clear at that meeting the group still had some issues to discuss, he said. The group discussed whether or not it would work, and how removing block seating might create animosity among greeks.
"It wasn't a satisfactory meeting," Solheim said.
At 5:58 p.m. that day, he sent an e-mail to various administrators from the group - including one in the athletic department - about his concern for the portion of seats he wanted to keep open to students. He also wanted to know about the revenue the seating change would bring in.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 160
KML
posted 3/04/08 @ 10:49 PM CST
I was once a student and had a great time at games regardless of where I sat. Students should be happy with the price break they receive on the tickets. (Continued…)
Kyle Shanahan
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:07 AM CST
Last time I checked students were paying tuition, not you.
Josh Peterson
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:16 AM CST
Wow, I pay over $15,000 a year, but I'm going to have to sit near the back of the stadium because some people can't see the game. We already have one of the worst student sections in the country because of the lack of tickets given out, and now they're moving us AWAY from the field? Are you kidding me? Tom Osborne is a great coach, but what is he thinking with this move?
Sean
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:56 AM CST
Pretty weak if you ask me, don't really make sense
Tim
posted 3/05/08 @ 1:47 AM CST
Why is block seating being eliminated? The nice thing about block seating is we could get it taken care of in the spring so we don't have to spend time waiting in line for eight different weeks in the fall. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 3/05/08 @ 1:54 AM CST
asun could have prevented this? If that is true, I will NOT be voting for any incumbent senator tomorrow. They have the best interests of the students in mind, my ---. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 3/05/08 @ 2:34 AM CST
I just want to remind everyone how the mob was out to get rid of Steve Pederson who was an advocate for the students during his tenure as AD. Tom Osborne has lost sight of what is truly important, the students who pack the stadium come rain or shine. (Continued…)
Hey students
posted 3/05/08 @ 6:52 AM CST
Welcome to the real world. Get over it. You'll be fine.
Now go study.
kory
posted 3/05/08 @ 7:14 AM CST
I think its really sad when they keep moving the students back and out of the way. Last time i checked it was the "University" of Nebraska Cornhuskers. (Continued…)
Ike
posted 3/05/08 @ 7:46 AM CST
Cry my a river students, If you're so upset, then spend less time drinking during games and pay more attention to the field.
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