With the new school year already upon us, the list of things to
do and buy is always a hefty one.
One of those minute details for many students to remember
purchasing is their student sports packages, which enables them to
buy season tickets for the football games.
But this year, many were surprised with a new system that
enables them to have their tickets based electronically. For
students who buy the football student sports packages this season,
they will no longer be given paper tickets. Instead, they will have
them put on their BruinCard electronically.
“We think it is going to improve the efficiency, making it
easier for the students to gain access,” said Scott Mitchell,
the director of UCLA marketing. “We think this is the
direction this institution is moving.”
Students attending home football games, will have their
BruinCards swiped at Gate C of the Rose Bowl.
Since the Rose Bowl was already wired for this type of system,
Mitchell said the decision was an easy one.
“We had the scanners in place already,” he said,
“So it all added up too and so we thought “˜lets see
what we have.'”
But while the UCLA athletic department aims to improve
efficiency, many find the new system frustrating. Students
won’t be able to sell or give away tickets for the games they
can’t attend.
“Two students came to buy a sports package last
week,” Central Ticket office employee Migues Vargas said.
“After realizing the tickets were on the card now, they
decided not to buy them.”
“What if I can’t make it to all the games?”
third year psychology student Nancy Siv said. “It seems like
a waste of money, because if I can’t use the ticket and enjoy
it, then I want someone to use them.”
Without that ability, many students predict a decrease in
attendance for home games, which Siv says would be a huge
detraction for those in the student section.
“It would be boring if the student section is
empty,” she said.
The student’s ability to trade tickets wasn’t a
factor in the decision to change to the new system. But while
Mitchell hasn’t heard much feedback, he understands
students’ reactions.
“It’s a change for students used to something
different. That change incurs the wrath,” he said, adding
that it wasn’t a monetary issue. “After this year we
will see and evaluate the benefits and negatives and evolve from
there.”
For the students who are apprehensive about buying into the new
system, they will still be able to purchase paper tickets for
single games.
The UCLA marketing department is also considering implementing
the new system for UCLA basketball games at Pauley Pavilion, but
since the arena is not yet wired with scanners, that decision is
still on hold.