<p>damn, i guess this means that the spirit cards are sold out . :(</p>
<p>Yeah, I just sent an e-mail to Parent Programs. I'm really concerned about this, as great sports was ONE of the BIG attractions for my son choosing USC (of course, he wants to study engineering, but it's nice to be able to attend games safely & with friends).</p>
<p>I'm very alarmed & expect they will work this out immediately because it is NOT acceptable. I haven't heard anything from my S about this yet, but have called his cell phone & will try to ask him about it. If they don't fix it immediately, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't get some major lawsuits soon.</p>
<p>A comment at this sports website (<a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/usc/archives/2006/09/best_program_in.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.insidesocal.com/usc/archives/2006/09/best_program_in.html</a>) says: </p>
<p>"The 'official' line as in the DT today is that DPS is unhappy with how the line was, and will be working with the Coliseum, Student Affairs and Athletics to work on it to make it better.</p>
<p>The 'unofficial' word (from a Student Affairs source) is that they do not think as many people will show up for the next games, and that the problem should resolve itself. They are not going to do anything to change it, and will not plan for it in any way, and just hope it goes away."</p>
<p>I hope the above is bad information. They were very lucky Saturday, and they might not be so lucky next time.</p>
<p>I sent a (polite and friendly!) email to Parent Programs this afternoon (<a href="mailto:scparent@usc.edu">scparent@usc.edu</a>) asking for the best place to communicate my concerns about student safety at the games, and got back a prompt response saying that they would forward my email to the appropriate departments and "solutions are being discussed."</p>
<p>Based on what I heard about game day, I think the issue is significant enough it's very appropriate for parents to step in and express to the university their expectation that USC will see to it the students make it through college in one piece (grin). The more pressure brought to bear, the less likely we will be hearing about a repeat in October, and we can all go back to enjoying the games!</p>
<p>Hope everyone writes & lets their voices be heard & has their folks write. There needs to be clear showing that the current situation is NOT acceptable and very volatile & dangerous for students & the USC image, among other things. Very scary to me! The more people that send their comments to people in authority, the more likely this will be properly addressed.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Dear Trojans:</p>
<p>We acknowledge the concern voiced by many surrounding the way in which USC students accessed the USC/Nebraska game. Because student safety is of paramount importance to the University, beginning with the next home game, and for all remaining home games this season, we plan to enact the following changes:</p>
<p>We will increase the student section by 600 seats, to a total of 8,600 seats. We are also discussing with the Coliseum and the Fire Marshall the possibility of adding a Standing Room Only area for an additional 400 students.</p>
<p>The student entrance at Gate 28 will open 2.5 hours prior to kickoff to allow more time for students to enter the facility at home games.</p>
<p>We will reorganize the queue leading to the student section entrance, and the area around it, to ensure student safety and to help the student line flow more quickly and in a secure and orderly fashion.</p>
<p>The number of student seats we made available in the student section at the beginning of this football season (8,000) was based on the average number of students who attended games over the past three years. Our records document an average home attendance by students of 6,950 during that period. The largest attendance at a home game by students during the 2005 season occurred at the Stanford game, with 7,540 attending. For the Nebraska game, 1,000 seats over the original 8,000 were ultimately made available for student access.</p>
<p>We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the season, and may implement additional changes as circumstances warrant. At the end of the season, we will review the process for purchasing spirit activity cards and the number of seats available in the student section for next year.</p>
<p>Students bring so much to the support of USC athletics; Football has been a great Trojan tradition and we want to keep the games as rewarding and exciting as possible for those students in attendance. We regret the student gate and ticket issues that emerged during last Saturday's football game.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Steve Lopes
Senior Associate Athletic Director</p>
<p>Lori S. White
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Well, not quite enough, but at least they're doing something.</p>
<p>I am Menlomom's hubby and I was THERE WHEN THIS INANE STUDENT CROWD CONTROL SITUATION OCCURED. I WATCHED FROM THE IMAX AS MY SON WAS LOST IN THE CROWD AT 2 PM TO GET INTO THE GATE. USC BROUGHT THIS ON ITSELF BY ADOPTING A "DISNEYLAND" PREPAID SPIRIT CARD SCAN APPROACH INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING THE STUDENTS IN! I HAD BOUGHT 2 TIX ON EBAY JUST IN CASE HE WAS DENIED ENTRY. I ENJOYED MY FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE AT THE COLISEUM. BUT THE CINGULAR NETWORK DID NOT WORK AT THAT LOCATION SO I COULDN'T CONNECT WITH HIM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY SON LEFT AT HALFTIME BECAUSE HE COULDN'T FIND A PLACE TO SIT! THE USC BRASS COULD HAVE LET THE STUDENTS SIT ON THE GRASS NEXT TO THE BLEACHERS. AFTER THIS UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE, MY SON IS THINKING EVEN MORE SO THAT USC IS NOT THE PLACE FOR HIM. HE IS INTELLECTUAL AND JUST FEELS THAT USC IS STILL HUNG UP ON THE "ATHLETIC SOCIAL SCENE" AT THE EXPENSE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. HE RELATED HIS EXPERIENCE DURING A WRIT. 140 CLASS IN THE BOVARD AUDTITORIUM WHEN MOST OF THE STUDENTS WERE PREOCCUPIED WITH THEIR CELL PHONE IM'NG INSTEAD OF PAYING DUE RESPECT TO THE DEBATERS ON STAGE. THE FACULTY IS SUPERB! THE PROBLEM FOR HIM IS THAT MOST OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ENGAGED INTELLECTUALLY! HE TURNED DOWN DARTMOUTH,CHICAGO, POMONA AND BROWN FOR THIS!!!
IT MAY WORK OUT BUT I TOLD HIM SAT. NITE THAT IF HE WANTS TO LEAVE USC FOR A MORE INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING COLLEGE HE HAS OUR COMPLETE SUPPORT.</p>
<p>I'm sorry your son feels that way. Most students here are very studious and as the courses get more in depth they are much more intellectually stimulating. As for the students who slack off and not take it seriously, they'll have a very rude surprise in a week or so when they get their midterms back :)</p>
<p>My son so far has been LOVING USC--the combination of academic challenge in this engineering school & the interesting folks he meets on campus. He enjoyed the game but did say entering was quite a crush. shhh, but my S did find a place to sit & enjoyed watching the game (made some new friends at the game), which he attended with some new USC friends. So far, his only complaint is that the food isn't "great," but that's a pretty standard complaint for him (guess no one can cook like "home") LOL.</p>
<p>Anyway, hope your son gives it a good chance before deciding he must transfer. What field is he pursing? Has he found any groups on campus that share his interests? That can really be KEY. It is important to make the most of the experiences available to you & I hope your son does so, even if he does decide he really wants to transfer.</p>
<p>My son isn't particularly "hung up" on an "athletic social scene" and loves discussing current events, history, books, economics, you name it. He has been able to find enough "like-minded" folks to be very happy at USC in his dorm (he lives in Pardee) and school of engineering. I have honestly never heard him happier.<br>
Please tell your son to look around & get out & meet folks, find a few groups/organizations he wants to participate in--there are really a lot of great kids at USC, not all of whom are in an alcoholic, sports-watching haze. Support your child in finding a good niche at his existing environment, as well as transferring if that's what he truly believes he must do.</p>
<p>Ditto to the last couple of posts. Daughter has never been a football fan but wanted to attend the games as part of her overall "campus experience." She is loving campus life, finding ways to be involved, and especially enjoys her classes and studies. Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>Hardly the answer y'all are looking for, but my son solved the student crush problem--he doesn't go to the games and hasn't bought a spirit card since his first year. Actually he did go to one game--parents weekend three years ago, but he made us leave at halftime. Well it was 41-14 or so over Stanford. And btw, the Stanford band really sucks.</p>
<p>Any of you folks going to parents weekend this year? It will be the last for us. Look for me. I'll be the one wearing cardinal and gold.</p>
<p>Let me also add something for menoloparkmom's spouse:</p>
<p>My son, a senior, was not happy with many of his fellow students in the film school his first year. He found them too studio-oriented and insufficiently intellectual. By his second year he found a group of compatible friends, male and female, to party with; act with; write scripts with; argue with; and who shared his political concerns. </p>
<p>These things will work themselves out. USC is a big place. There will be lots of students your son will like and learn from. However, if he is feeling the same way well into the second semester then he should consider moving on.</p>
<p>being at the game and watching it on TV are two completely different things. When you're at the game, it's sometimes hard to tell exactly what's going on(especially if you don't have a great viewing angle) When you watch it on TV, it's less exciting and fun, but you can enjoy the details of the game more.</p>
<p>my parents will be at parents weekend too. is there a registration deadline? :/</p>
<p>have them check here: <a href="http://sait.usc.edu/parent/tpw.asp%5B/url%5D">http://sait.usc.edu/parent/tpw.asp</a>.</p>
<p>My wife and I have always enjoyed parents weekend.</p>
<p>I really love seeing where all my money is going.</p>
<p>This will be our last Parent's Weekend also. Look for us. We will be wearing USC shirts.</p>
<p>The reason my son was so dissapointed about Saturday's situation is that he feels the administration has started to push aside the students for either money or alumni(money). They really could have saved more seats for the students. I remember his first year when the student side was the ONLY full section. The students have been there for all 4 of my sons years. That is a big reason why the cameras face the student side. The other side was half empty. It has only been the last 2 years that the stands have been filling. Unless, of course, you go back to the 70's. Fans are fickle, especially in LA. They want winning teams. BUT the for the students, this was part of their USC experience. I don't want to see it tainted. I have another son hoping to attend next year. I would LOVE for him to have the same positive experience his brother did.</p>
<p>Here are a couple of links if you want to express your opinion:</p>
<p><a href="mailto:lswhite@usc.edu">lswhite@usc.edu</a> - Dr. Lori White (Associate VP of Student Affairs)
<a href="mailto:mjackson@usc.edu">mjackson@usc.edu</a> - Michael Jackson (VP of Student Affairs - office of the VP)
<a href="mailto:dsuite@usc.edu">dsuite@usc.edu</a> - Denzil Suite (Assistant VP of Student Affairs - office of residential education)</p>
<p>Thanks--I agree that students should have the option of being able to attend their football & other sports events w/o worrying that they'll come to physical harm entering or attending said events. Being able to attend sporting events should be a part of the college experience for anyone who wants to participate, rather than rich donors who may or may not deign to attend.</p>
<p>Daughter got off work just as the forum was ending tonight -- when she walked by Taper she said that a local KCAL Ch. 9 TV news crew was there. Just FYI...</p>
<p>Yeah, I think USC would be very conscious of it's public image, so they may be more careful if they know that what they decide to do will be well-publicized. Will be interesting to see if the "policy" put forth "evolves" prior to the next Oct home game. Sounds like they'll still be short of seats if they don't do more than they wrote in the previous post.</p>
<p>Any further news of what the administration will do so the situation for future games will be safer & able to accommodate the students who attend the football games? Please post any updates, tho I realize the game won't be until the one in October for Parent's Weekend.</p>
<p>I talked to my son last night for quite awhile about this situation. He got there about 2 hours prior and joined the line where a group of 7 friends were holding him a place. When they opened the gate, he says they were so crushed that you could have been critically injured. He was crushed against the fence. He is 6' tall 200 lbs and he was lucky not to get bruised, but he said some of the smaller girls were getting hurt. He never experianced anything like this and is very angry about the situation.
When he got in and saw the new? "Trojan Nation" area where the students were now sitting, well, they added insult to injury. The students were now squashed into absolutely terrible seats. I know the freshman now did not experiance last year's football and never had the chance to experiance what my son had last year, and this is a real shame. The students are the backbone supporters of the team. They go to class with the players and deserve better than they have been given. Where the seats are now are horrible, he says. The old good student seats are now sold to Alumni for 25,000. My son looked longingly at the old student area and saw (his words) "senior" alumni clapping politely at a touchdown and leaving after halftime, when before, the students scream and yell during the entire game with their spirit, now they cannot be heard.<br>
As far as the numbers that attend the games, my son thinks the students are being lied to. He says even the extra 600 seats will not be enough. Last year the students were allowed to bring a guest with then. Now they raised the price of the card, no guest, (translate, more $$, more seats sold ) AND the old good seats are being sold (again more $$) Also, the capped the limit of student activities card sold. How terrible is that? If a student wants to support their school, how can they limit this just to make money. Oh, and I am sure tuition the students pay will not go down anyway with the $$.made. </p>
<p>End comment - of course the safety issue will be addressed. I am confident future games will be well organized, especially since the next is parents weekend, and USC always puts the best foot forward here. But the issue of putting the students in crappy seats and limiting their attendance? This too should change.</p>
<p>I'd think the parents could grumble loudly about the poor seats their students have when they attend the Parent's Weekend football game. Unfortunately, what has been done to the USC student section is what has been done at many other campuses & it really IS poor for morale & the students. :(</p>