I am writing today to call to attention a matter that deeply disturbs me in terms of my value as a student. In the first two home football games of this current season, I have observed many a tailgater outside my residence hall, Carmichael.
However, I have noticed a problem with these parties I believe needs to be addressed immediately: the entirety of the fire lane outside of my residence hall is being used for football parking and pre-gaming. My safety, as a student of this university, is being compromised for extra money via parking passes for UNC Athletics.
Stadium Drive is relatively narrow as it is, and with the fire lane occupied (by people who are paying enough for Carolina to disregard my safety?) there is barely room for two compact cars to pass each other. I understand the value of tailgating for both parties: for athletics and the university, it is a source of extra income, and for tailgaters, it is a game day ritual, and a fun one at that. But what makes a game day extra safe so that a fire or other emergency needs to be completely ruled out? And if there is a policy for fire rescue on game days that concerns me, why haven’t I been informed? What makes a fan of Carolina football worth more than a Carolina student?
I find this to be a serious problem of UNC ethics and hope that the athletics department and the administration take care of this issue as soon as possible.
Alex Herzing
Sophomore
Elementary Education
