Merger of Fever, Rams Club dominates public hearing

The tensions that have steadily built since last fall between student government and the Carolina Athletic Association reached a boiling point when members of the two organizations faced off Wednesday.

Congress members dropped a proposal that would place limits on CAA’s budget, but legislation regarding the organization’s autonomy, ticket distribution policy and Homecoming still is on the table.

And a new proposal — merging Carolina Fever with the Rams Club, UNC’s official booster organization — generated a lot of heat as well.

Fever is underneath the umbrella of the CAA, which has clashed recently with Congress as representatives have tried to determine the appropriate level of oversight needed.

CAA President Lindsay Strunk emphasized that the association is capable of self-governance. “It has its own system of checks and balances,” she said.

But Trey Winslett, chairman of the Congress athletics committee that was created last fall to oversee the CAA, said the proposed reforms were not a personal attack against the association.

“The changes are meant to erase inefficiencies in certain places,” he said.

But the biggest dispute was over the merger proposal, which Congress received Monday. It would provide students with media guides and a points system for attending athletic events that could be cashed in for tickets after graduation.

The merger also would change Fever’s name to Student Rams Club and would require interested students to pay a $25 membership fee. Students now pay $15 in dues to Carolina Fever.

CAA members said such a change is unacceptable.

Treasurer Ginny Franks said any immediate changes are inappropriate because CAA should have an active role in negotiations.

“An increase of membership dues to $25 could reduce membership,” she said. “We need to need to examine this and see if it’s what we want to do.”

But Winslett said the fee is a bargain. “Twenty-five dollars doesn’t even cover the costs the Rams Club will incur,” he said. “It actually saves students money because it’s like getting the value of both organizations while being in one.”

Members of Congress’ athletic committee also will introduce legislation next week to form a ticket distribution review board to assess the process each year.

“There is an assumption on campus that the system is working poorly, but it’s actually working really well,” said Steve Russell, a member of the CAA’s ticket distribution committee.

“If anything, the system is too easy,” he said. “The line check-in should be pushed up so that people who really want the tickets are rewarded.”

Congress also will review legislation that could create a Homecoming advisory committee.

Bayley Crane, co-chairwoman of CAA’s Homecoming committee said Congress should exercise proper restraint and form an inclusive committee. “Homecoming should still be run by CAA because it is representative of the student body,” she said. “CAA has the means to get students involved, which is important because Homecoming is for everyone.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.