CAA: New Ticket Policies Successful

Last year, some students accused CAA officials of rigging basketball ticket distributions to favor themselves and friends.

Most of the accusations occurred last year at the time of the distribution for the Duke-UNC game. But this year's Duke distribution took place last week without any complaints from students.

Although no proof of wrongdoing on the part of last year's CAA officials ever was found, CAA President Reid Chaney said his administration implemented new policies, most notably changes in the selection of the bracelet number, to regain the faith of the student population. "I feel like we started over this year and that we had a lot to do to get back in with the students, to get their trust back," he said.

CAA officials now hold number selection at noon in the Pit each Friday before ticket distribution. The number is chosen by a bingo turner operated by an athlete or student from the crowd. Last year the number was chosen at the Smith Center on the morning of ticket distribution.

Although non-CAA members witnessed each drawing last year, officials said opening the process to all students should eliminate suspicion.

Chaney said before this year, CAA used Microsoft Excel's automatic number generator to choose two numbers the morning of distribution, one for regular tickets and one for riser seats. This year only one number is drawn and students bearing the best bracelets are offered riser tickets to one game.

Mike Kuhn, CAA director of ticket distribution, said announcing the numbers on Friday also caters to students who want to know the number before heading to the Smith Center early Saturday morning.

Kuhn added that new policies prohibit students from cheating. Now students must have their UNC ONE Cards swiped at Gate 5 of Kenan Stadium to receive a bracelet.

Chaney said moving bracelet distribution from the Smith Center to Kenan Stadium and swiping ONE Cards ensures that students aren't getting more than one bracelet to increase their chances of securing tickets. He said handing out bracelets at Kenan Stadium is also more convenient for students.

Student Congress Rep. Gregory Wahl said an entire section of the Student Code now specifically governs the CAA -- a measure Congress members took last year after concerns about the legitimacy of ticket distribution were brought to them.

At the time Student Congress was considering holding an investigation into the CAA and its ticket distribution policies, but the idea was later dismissed.

Despite the new policies, some students still are concerned about the integrity of the organization.

"It seems like all the same people are getting the tickets," said sophomore Preethi Sama, referring to the high numbers selected in past distributions.

Senior Michael Jenkins said he will be suspicious of the CAA as long as it is run by students. "If you had access to that kind of power, given the importance basketball takes on around here, wouldn't you at least be tempted?"

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.