THON Crowd Control: Based on Safety, Not Fixed Numbers

For the lonesome souls standing out in the cold waiting to get into the Bryce Jordan Center, it is very easy to place the blame on the Rules & Regulations committees for refusing to let people in. Dancers’ families who traveled hours are being shut out in the cold and the line is seemingly endless. But it is not that simple of an explanation.

According to Media Relations Captain, Joanie Vasiliadis, R&R virtually has no say in how many people are allowed to enter in a given time. She explained that R&R merely acts as a liason for the police and BJC staff. In order to maintain a safe environment within the arena, University Police, in association with the BJC, determine the level of safety by the amount of traffic in the concourse, visitors on the dancefloor, and the population in the stands.

Despite the fact that many seats remain empty in the seating bowl, police say they are “eye balling” the line to determine how many people to let in incrementally.

This system of crowd control is frustrating to many but as it gets closer to the Pep Rally, it will be a necessary practice in order to navigate through this high volume time.

For those still waiting outside, there is no wait time that has been established. Rest assured, your steadfast dedication to THON is not going unrecognized.