I SPENT the majority of last week huddled under a sleeping bag, listening to the wind threaten to rip apart our tent and hoping the flashlight wouldn't burn out so I could get some work done. Yes, I camped out for the Virginia-Duke basketball game, and despite the Cavaliers' disappointing loss, all the cold and rain and wind was worth it to be in University Hall for that experience. However, several aspects of the pre-game "Hooville" are flawed, and the Hoo Crew -- the group responsible for running the camping-out process -- needs to make some changes.
Students were first allowed to set up on the Sunday before the Duke game, making the camping-out period about a week long. This is a very long time to be sleeping on concrete. Students can sign up in groups of up to 10 people, and only one person is required to be at U-Hall at any given time. In theory, a student would only have to spend minimal time at their tent. However, classes, meetings, work and other unavoidable scheduling conflicts inevitably force students to continue coming and going from U-Hall in an effort to make sure every shift is covered. While it's not required that every group begin camping on the first day, the seating order is done on a first-come, first-serve basis, and those students wishing to get good seats need to begin camping as soon as possible. The Hoo Crew should push back the first day of camping to just a few days before the game, as a week of sleeping outside is an unnecessary waste of students' time.
Although spending the week in a tent was manageable, it would have been easier had we been allowed inside Onesty Hall. Hoo Crew rules stipulate that campers are only allowed inside to use the bathrooms, and students were repeatedly kicked out of the lobby after only a few minutes, even when it was raining or snowing. Even after the temperature outside dropped below freezing, campers were not permitted to go inside. Only once were students permitted to sleep in the Cage inside Onesty Hall, while members of the Hoo Crew remained inside at all times. Students camping out should either be allowed in Onesty Hall in order to sit, study or just warm up, or the Hoo Crew should make use of their own tent and stay outside with the rest of the students.
In addition, the Hoo Crew needs to standardize roll call. Roll call occurs randomly throughout each day in order to ensure that a member of each group is present at all times. The need for a random roll call exists, as there is really no other way of checking attendance. However, Hoo Crew members inconsistently conducted roll call. Sometimes students had to show identification. Sometimes they had to sign in. Sometimes they had to do both. And sometimes students got confused and forgot one or the other, resulting in a missed roll call of which they weren't even aware. If the Hoo Crew simply ensures that this procedure is consistent, it will run a lot more smoothly for everyone.
Come game night, the fans were excited, both to watch the game and to say goodbye to their chilly second home outside Onesty Hall. However, my excitement dwindled a little after realizing that campers were required to be at U-Hall at six o'clock for a nine o'clock game. Upon arrival, students were shuffled from the campsite to the Cage, back to the campsite (all in the rain) and finally into the student section. Much of this time between locations was spent waiting for the Hoo Crew to let the students know what was going on. Once the Hoo Crew actually got organized, they effectively lined everyone up and got roughly 800 students inside in about 20 minutes. However, this left fans with a good two hours before anyone else seemed to show up. Therefore, requiring students to show up three hours before game time is unnecessary and inefficient.
Despite these problems, the students chose to camp out for the Virginia-Duke game. They chose to brave the cold and the snow and chose to spend their week sleeping outside in a tent. The Hoo Crew should be commended for taking on a responsibility that allows students to experience Virginia basketball. However, there are several faults within the Hoo Crew's system that, if repaired, will lead to a much better Hooville. And who knows, maybe next time we'll actually win the game.
(Kristin Brown is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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