Petition to reopen Reactor Field gaining signatures
Students and alumni voice their opinion through MSA.
Published Sept. 4, 2009
The petition to reopen Reactor Field to the general public has generated 1,257 signatures since it was first posted Monday.
In past years, Reactor Field was available to the public and students used the area to tailgate before football games. The decision to restrict its use attracted attention from the Missouri Students Association, as well as other student organizations. In response to the closing, MSA President Jordan Paul has met with members of the administration and athletics department to explore other options. The petition was meant to voice the opinions of concerned students.
MSA spokesman Tim Noce, who prepared and posted the petition, said it's moving in the right direction.
"Considering we haven't had any advertising besides a Facebook group, I think it's going pretty well," Noce said. "Over 1,000 signatures without any advertisement is pretty good."
Alumni and students have signed the petition. Sophomore Lauren Delaney said she supports the petition.
"I think it's a good way for students who feel strongly about it to voice their opinion," Delaney said. "It lets them get a feel for how much students really want Reactor."
MSA does plan on doing some advertising to raise awareness of the petition and is waiting for their flyers to be printed. Noce said he hopes the word spreads quickly.
"We're using a grass roots marketing scheme," Noce said. "We want to get the word out and see where that takes us. We want the bulk of the advertising to be before the first home game."
Aside from working on the petition, Paul met with Recreation Services and Facilities Director Diane Dahlmann and Student Affairs Vice Chancellor Cathy Scroggs to discuss possible alternative tailgating sites. One site is a flood plain located across Reactor and behind the arena.
"It's not marked as a lot," Paul said. "It's never been developed and isn't sold on game day as an established lot. The field is under the jurisdiction of the recreation department and is used for club sports."
Paul said one of the factors that will determine whether the field will be used for a student parking area is how often it is used for club sports. Paul said Dahlmann is concerned the field will be damaged, making it hard for club sports to utilize it. Paul said the revenue made from commuters might cover the cost of field upkeep.
Scroggs and Paul have discussed the possibility of having a student affairs- and university-sponsored tailgate before games. Paul said this isn't the ideal alternative but is a possibility.
"There would be music, food and alcohol," Paul said.
Noce said though an agreement is yet to be made, he is glad that conversation is happening, an improvement from the past.
"I was a freshman on campus when Frat Pit closed," Noce said. "There was a lot of animosity toward the administration. I'm happy to say that there is talk between the administration and us. I'm happy that ideas are thrown around instead of a stone wall being put up."
Sophomore Andrea Lewis said she is glad people are listening to students' ideas.
"Even if it doesn't change, I respect them for at least letting students have a voice," she said.