Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/104315
VCU ATHLETICS SEAT EQUITY PLAN Principles of Seat Equity Plan 1) Exhibit Fairness VCU has the best fans in the country. Your commitment to our program is visible through our string of consecutive sellouts at the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, record-breaking season ticket sales, your willingness to travel to see the Rams on the road and in the NCAA Tournament and - most importantly - your financial support of the Ram Athletic Fund. In return, your generous support deserves equitable seating at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The priority seating program has seen little change since the arena opened in 1999. At the same time, the direction of VCU Athletics and the landscape of college basketball have shifted dramatically, changes which require additional resources to fund our student-athletes and athletic programs to compete and win at the highest level. The Seat Equity Plan will be the fundamental method for reseating prior to the 2013-14 season. It seeks to weigh athletics giving and continuous years of season ticket purchases to generate an equitable priority order (Ram Ranking), by which season tickets will be assigned. The Seat Equity Plan will be applicable to all Ram Athletic Fund members and season ticket holders. Note: Due to demand and availability for season tickets, there is no guarantee that all season ticket requests will be fulfilled. 2) Loyalty Ram Athletic Fund members and VCU Basketball season ticket holders are some of the most dedicated and loyal supporters in college sports. Many of you were key contributors to the Capital Campaign for the Stuart C. Siegel Center, and a number of you have been season ticket holders since our days at the Richmond Coliseum. VCU Athletics recognizes your commitment to the program. Ram Athletic Fund membership and season ticket loyalty are two of the most impactful means of VCU Athletics support. It's why those components factor prominently in your Ram Ranking and the seat selection process. 3) Recognition As the costs of scholarships, facility improvements and operational budgets increase, the need for additional resources and growth of the Ram Athletic Fund is critical. A number of Ram Athletic Fund members have routinely stepped forward to help VCU Athletics meet these financial challenges and deserve recognition in the form of comparable seating and benefits. The Seat Equity Plan acknowledges the impact of current Ram Athletic Fund members and Capital Campaign members by the following ways: • Rewarding them with equitable seating based on their Ram Ranking, which is determined by giving level, annual contributions, cumulative lifetime giving and consecutive years as a season ticket holder. • Recognizing the impact of members who have increased their support through major gifts and annual contributions; • Allowing Capital Campaign members the opportunity to maintain their current seat locations based on the Seat Equity Plan guidelines. // 1 //