Every year when the weather warms up and the winter jackets are finally stowed away, it seems like the amount of activity on the South Lawn multiplies exponentially. Indeed, in recent weeks the Lawn has once again taken on a life of its own, supporting a population of eager ticket-sellers, activists and others. To some, it is truly a delight to observe and experience the sideshow of Lawn tabling. Unfortunately, others would rather see Lawn tabling banned, stifling the free speech and creativity of University students. Students should realize that the recent movement to ban Lawn tabling is not in their best interests.
One complaint made against Lawn tabling is that it is has apparently gotten out of hand. While it is true that at times the Lawn gets a little crazy, for the most part, Lawn tabling just adds to the festive and social environment that the Lawn should strive to achieve. The University has over 350 recognized CIOs, so having fifteen or so represented on the Lawn (less than five percent) on any given day means that Lawn tabling is hardly getting out of hand.
In recent months, diversity and apathetic student behavior have become rallying cries for many at the University. The Lawn, however, is a wonderful example of diversity and student involvement at work. Where else can you find dozens of concerned students representing a wide variety of student groups and causes? The Lawn gives the University Democrats and the College Republicans, the Coalition and the Inter-Fraternity Council, First Right and Planned Parenthood, the New Dominions and the Hullabahoos all an equal chance to express their views, sell tickets to events and interact with members of the University community.
For some groups, tabling on the Lawn is their only viable option to have their voice heard or to promote their events. It offers a high volume of impressionable students eager to identify with a cause or a group. The Lawn is also an excellent example of working market theory. Is one choir group charging more for tickets than another? Better cut the ticket price lest empty seats be your goal.
Thomas Jefferson would roll over in his grave if Lawn tabling was banned. Lawn tabling is a wonderful example of free speech and free assembly in action. Though restrictions on solicitations on University property are allowed, banning Lawn tabling outright would impede the ideal of free speech. The University should be proud that many of its students take an active role in encouraging the growth of the Academical Village.
Critics of Lawn tabling suggest that instead of tabling on the Lawn, students and groups should table and promote their events elsewhere on Grounds. Unfortunately, this is a terrible idea. At this point, at least the majority of tabling and promoting is concentrated in one spot. You know if you walk by the intersection of the two sidewalks near Cocke Hall, the odds are, for lack of better phrasing, you are going to be audibly and visually assaulted. Banning tabling on the Lawn and creating ten different spots to table means that the average University student will now have to deal with ten more points of possible harassment. Let us keep it all in one place for the sake of everyone's sanity.
Lawn tabling is not an unavoidable nuisance. People do know where and when it's going on; Lawn tablers don't just pop out of holes in the ground. Nevertheless, for those who do decide to "run the gauntlet," there are options available. Walk briskly, keep your arms at your side, your head down and do not make eye contact with anyone. If that does not work, pretend you are a prospective or a visitor from Europe. Moreover, as for claims of aggressive Lawn tabling, walk around downtown Washington, D.C., sometime -- that is aggressive soliciting.
Deep down there are many out there who enjoy the spectacle of the South Lawn in the spring. Just look at last week on the Lawn. A wonderful group of University students helped us celebrate "National High Five Day" by giving a hearty high-five and free lemonade and cookies to passers-by. If that did not tickle your fancy, then the choking fumes and deafening roar of a race-car engine certainly must have. If you were in the mood to spend some money then you clearly enjoyed the Lawn last week. There were a myriad of groups willing to exchange a few of your hard-earned dollars for baked goods, hours of comedy and singing or the warm feeling that comes with knowing you helped a child in Iraq. Let's be honest, the Lawn just wouldn't be the same without the Tibetan flag flying high and free every other week.
The point of all this is that yes, Lawn tabling is sometimes ridiculous, sometimes a little out of hand, sometimes a little less than passive. However, it's become a great tradition here at the University. Not everyone thinks streaking the lawn is a good idea, but we haven't banned it. So, for you brave souls who man the tables on the Lawn each day, table on!
(Joe Schilling's column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at jschilling@cavalierdaily.com.)
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