Paperless football tickets are in UA students' futures, but details of the new system aren't due to be released until later this week, officials said.
Louise Crow, SGA vice president for Student Affairs, said Tuesday that SGA representatives have been meeting this week with the athletic office and Student Services, as well as other administrative offices, to finalize the details of the new system. Crow said information should be released no later than Friday and tickets should go on sale in the next few weeks.
"We will make sure students are fully aware of when tickets go on sale, and make sure they can schedule their day around purchasing tickets," she said.
Crow, the former director of communications for the SGA, made paperless football tickets part of her platform during March's SGA elections. She said the first meetings about paperless tickets began in fall 2007, and have been taking place throughout this semester.
"We're just trying to make sure it's as student-friendly as possible," Crow said of the paperless system. "We are waiting to hear back from student services and the administration side and the athletic office about details about when those tickets will go on sale and we will get that information to you as the student body the minute we know anything."
SGA members present at recent meetings included SGA President Cason Kirby and former SGA President R.B. Walker. Crow said she also met with UA spokeswoman Debbie Lane to discuss the issue.
"Student input has been heard and it has been taken into consideration for the system," Crow said.
The Crimson White inquired about the paperless tickets in mid-March, prior to spring break, and calls to UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore were not returned, nor were e-mails to other athletic office staff members. At the time, UA Media Relations said no information had been released to them, but they expected to hear something in late March.
Richard Byrd, SGA chief of staff, has been involved in talks about the tickets, and said the athletic office has delayed releasing information of the not-yet-finalized paperless system to avoid confusion for students.
"We just want to make sure all of the students' questions are going to be answered before we release [information about] ticket sales," Byrd said. "And hopefully, as soon as possible, it will be available."
Byrd said it has taken longer than expected to work out details of the new system, which is why the athletic department has not released any information.
"Any time with a new system like this there are going to be some issues, so we're just trying to get all the major questions students and anyone else may have answered before tickets go on sale," he said.
Crow also said the delay has been due to the administration wanting to avoid confusion for students.
"I think they're doing this for our benefit," she said. "They are going to make sure they know exactly how the system works."
Crow said the SGA has limited information, and she stressed that as soon as details are finalized, then students will know.
"We don't want to give students the wrong information. Football means so much to students on campus," she said. "As soon as we do know we will let students know how to use [the system] properly and what that exactly means, and we'll be able to answer any questions."
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