Various traditions were in full force at Virginia's opening home football game on Saturday, but one tradition may be fading: the addition of the words "not gay" to the Good Ol' Song.
After Saturday's game against the Richmond Spiders, members of Student Council and its ad hoc committee to end the use of "not gay" in the chant, agreed that the additional words were less audible than in years past.
"We didn't anticipate any noticeable change," committee member Niko Schutte said. "But it's the least I've ever heard at a game. Students are being more conscious of their actions at the games."
Council President Abby Fifer agreed. "We all had our fingers crossed and we were overwhelmingly pleased."
Excited about the reaction, committee chairwoman Sarah Jobe said, "We've taken a step in the right direction."
Jobe believes, however, that the fight to rid the Good Ol' Song of the additional words is only in the beginning stages.
"It will take [the rest of] this football season to see if the majority of students will want to say it," she said.
Fellow committee member Elise Babbitt added that "as the season goes on, more and more people will be willing to support what I feel is a positive change for U.Va."
The committee also was satisfied that its scheduled programs and information pamphlets geared toward deterring the addition of the chant appeared to be effective. This past summer, the committee included information in resident adviser training and first-year orientation programs.
Still, the committee realizes that the phrase will not easily disappear. According to Fifer, both the committee and Council expect backlash, just as any group might expect after attempting to convince students of how to conduct themselves during student activities. Yet the committee and Council remain optimistic about the educated decisions of students to participate in the "not gay" chant.
Inter-Fraternity Council President Josh Johnson said he noticed a significant decrease in student participation in shouting the chant.
"Hopefully, the student body has matured and grown and realized how bad it makes the entire school look," Johnson said.
Through various initiatives, the committee is working towards educating students on the effect of their actions on fellow classmates.
Upcoming programs include two interest meetings geared toward getting Contracted Independent Organizations, fraternities and sororities, and other University groups involved in stopping the use of "not gay." The programs will be held on Sept. 12 and Sept. 14.
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