Duke Student Government passed legislation to change the walk-up line policy for the 2012-2013 basketball season at its Senate meeting Wednesday.
Head line-monitor Jackson Lindsey, a senior, introduced the modifications—which include a decrease in the number of people responsible for representing a group and an increase in the maximum large group size, noting that he hopes the changes will encourage more students to attend games. The Senate passed the legislation unanimously.
“Our goal for this year is to get as many people as possible for every single game,” Lindsey said.
In previous years, at least one-half of a group was required to register and maintain the group’s place in line. Beginning with “Countdown to Craziness,” which will take place Friday, only one-third of the group will now be required.
The new legislation also increased the maximum number of students that can register with a large group from 50 to 100.
The rest of the rules regarding conduct in the walk-up line will remain the same, including that groups must be registered by midnight on the night before the game.
In other business:
Vice President for Social Culture Neil Kondamuri, a junior, announced safety concerns regarding the football game against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, scheduled for Saturday.
“It is very important that people know not to bonfire,” Kondamuri said, adding that an unsanctioned bonfire after the game would put the permit for a bonfire following the UNC basketball game in jeopardy.
He added that the tailgating scheduled for the UNC game will be of particular interest to students because there will be free food and school spirit. If Duke wins this game, the team will be in contention for a bowl game.
Sophomore Derek Rhodes, vice president for Durham and regional affairs, announced that he is continuing to work with University and Durham officials to reform the Knock and Talks policies, which have been in flux since the beginning of the academic year. As part of Knock and Talks, Duke police officers visit off-campus student residences to discuss housing policy and regulations.
“Knock and Talks has definitely drifted from its intended purpose,” Rhodes said.
Senator for Equity and Outreach Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, a sophomore, presented a request for $1,500 on behalf of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The funds will be used to pay the honorarium for poet and activist Nikki Giovanni. who is scheduled to speak on campus on October 24. The event is open to all students.
Giovanni’s speech will focus on the “new civil rights,” said Giwa-Osagie. The proposal was passed by a Senate vote, following a failure to approve the funding at last week’s meeting.
Executive Vice President Patrick Oathout, a junior, presented amendments to the Young Trustee bylaws. First year students are now able to apply to the position of young trustee. Nominees are selected by the Young Trustee Nominating Committee to serve on the Board of Trustees for a three-year term.
Oathout noted that by extending the opportunity to all students, age-based discrimination is eliminated.
The Senate voted to approve funding for Phi Beta Sigma fraternity’s Casino Royale Charity Ball. The ball, scheduled for Oct. 27, will support March of Dimes, an organization dedicated to improving the health of mothers and their babies.
