Viejas ticket policy changes
MONDAY October 24, 2011 Volume 97, Issue 33 W W W.T H E D A I LYA Z T E C . C O M
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Bill Crotty news editor Students will no longer receive a guest ticket when purchasing their student tickets for SDSU men’s basketball games because of last season’s issues with ticket scalping, according to Viejas Arena officials. “Camping out” for tickets will also be banned and will be strictly enforced to prevent additional problems that occurred last season. “There will only be one student ticket per student,” Viejas Arena Ticket Office Manager June Barreras said. “There will be no more guest tickets.” Currently, students may pick up one additional ticket with their Red ID card as a “guest ticket,” which officials say is meant for students to invite a guest with. However, the Aztec’s 2010 season caused some students to abuse the policy by selling those tickets. According to Viejas Arena Director John Kolek, students selling their guest tickets on sites such as Craigslist and eBay at an inflated price became
very noticeable. An additional step that will be taken to enforce the new policy is that Red IDs will be swiped to ensure each student only gets one ticket. Another important facet of the new policy is that students can pick up tickets for several games in advance. This change will be implemented today, and students have been able to purchase tickets for the upcoming basketball season as of
Students’ meeting last Wednesday. “SDSU is in a transitioning phase where we’re becoming a premiere school for athletics,” Associated Students Vice President of Finance Rob O’Keefe said. “I think SDSU Athletics and students can work together on this. We have 30,000 students, but only about 3,000 student tickets and everyone wants one.” O’Keefe also said many other schools with a high demand for tickets
“... SDSU Athletics and students can work together on this. We have 30,000 students, but only about 3,000 student tickets and everyone wants one.” Rob O’Keefe, A.S. vice president of finance 7:30 a.m. this morning. Tickets for the first five games of the season are now available. Viejas Arena executives made the announcement of the change to the current policy during the Associated
already have a limit on student tickets, often capping it at one. According to Kolek, campus police will enforce the new ban against student campouts for tickets. Last year, as the demand for tickets increased dra-
matically when the Aztecs’ record continued to improve, students began to camp overnight near the Viejas Arena ticket booth. These students prompted the change. When the changes were announced during the A.S. meeting, several members immediately voiced concern, though Kolek said they knew a change was coming. Some council members were surprised by this because of the number of students who want their free tickets for the upcoming season. Viejas officials said decisions on how tickets will be distributed are still being discussed, but the arena staff plans to moderate the line during the early mornings before ticket sales open at 7:30 a.m. It is still unclear how officials will regulate unofficial lines that may form prior to the opening of the box office, but preventing students from doing this will be up to public safety. Kolek said the punishment for violating this new policy is another decision to be made by the university police department. The change was made because of concern by the university, SDSU Athletics and others,” Kolek said. “There were a lot of factors in the decision.”
Aztec staff awarded for dedication Carl Hensley contributor San Diego State will be hosting the 38th Annual Staff Awards at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 18 at Viejas Arena. The ceremony is held every year by the university to celebrate the longevity of service of staff members at SDSU, and this year the awards range from 10-35 years of service. Last year, about 800 people attended the event and this year it is expected to have as many as 800 attendees and will give out more than 200 awards. Tickets are complimentary for awardees and they must RSVP by Monday, Nov. 7. Tickets for the ceremony are on sale now for the general public at the Viejas Arena Ticket Office and can be purchased for $12
through Nov. 8, but ticket prices increase to $15 from Nov. 9-16. Suggested attire is red and black to show Aztec pride. Recommended parking for the event is in Parking Structure 4 or 5 and entrance to the event is at Viejas Arena through the lower level of Lot L, which is located between Viejas Arena and PS 4. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. and conclude around 1:30 p.m. The event will be emceed by Executive Director of the Alumni Association Jim Herrick and Director of the Educational Opportunity Program and Ethnic Affairs Reggie Blaylock after introductory speeches by SDSU President Elliot Hirshman and Associated Students President Cody Barbo. “People make the biggest difference in one’s experience,” Blaylock said. “I truly believe that we have wonder-
ful people throughout our campus community.” Elvira McCalip, the director of the Center for Human Resources at SDSU and chairperson of the event, is also in charge of the 12-person committee planning the ceremony. She said the Center for Human Resources is in charge of planning the awards ceremony every year but the entire university and all of its auxiliaries help. “It is a university effort,” McCalip said. “The entire school contributes to the making of the event.” Assistant Director at the Center for Human Resources, Lisa Winters is also on the planning committee. She is in charge of the giveaways and said this year there will be 40 to 50 giveaway prizes that range from a beach cruiser to an iPad to SDSU athletic event tickets and free admission to an event held by Sam the Cooking
Guy later this year. No additional raffle tickets need to be purchased by attendees. All of their tickets have a number which may be called during the drawing for prizes. Noelle Krueger is the administrative assistant to McCalip and is heavily involved with the event. She works with every aspect of it to make sure it will run smoothly and everyone has a memorable experience while recognizing the years of service, dedication and loyalty the long time staff members have provided to SDSU. The theme of the ceremony is “SDSU Through the Years.” To RSVP for the event, contact Krueger at 619-594-8323 or nkrueger@mail.sdsu.edu. For a complete list of those being honored at the ceremony, visit hr.sdsu.edu/chr/staffawards.htm.
Aztec teammates played together prior to SDSU days
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DA T V Watch the first episode of Campus Buzz hosted by Nohely Mendoza.
Read about SDSU’s new play, “The Boyfriend” and Chuck Palahniuk’s vision of hell, political correctness be “Damned.” E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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