Student Council announced an initiative yesterday to provide students with free water bottles at home football games when the heat index reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit on game days, starting with Saturday's game against the College of William & Mary.
David Hondula, chair of Student Council's Athletic Affairs Committee, said the program has been in the works for many months, partly because of the scarcity of water fountains at Scott Stadium.\n"The water fountain situation at the stadium is rather poor," Hondula said. "There aren't many and they certainly aren't near student areas."\nHe added that "students aren't prepared to make purchases of any kind at football games - especially a $3 bottle of water."\nNow each student attendee with a University identification card will receive one complementary water bottle if the heat index reaches at least 90 degrees when the gates open, Student Council President John Nelson said, adding that an announcement will be made at 5 p.m. the day before each game to notify students if water will be made available.\nIf, however, student attendance exceeds 7,000, some students may not receive a bottle, as the tentative available number of water bottles was based on the number of students who typically attend football games, Nelson said.\n"We'll re-evaluate the number if we find that it's not sufficient," he said, noting that Council struck a deal that allows it to return water bottles that go unused.\nHondula said the water bottles will be available at a tent located above Section 101.\n"It's the first section you'll encounter after the hill," he said. "It's a very accessible area where there are other vendors. Every student should have plenty of opportunities to go past there."\nMany students interviewed said they are in favor of the program, but first-year Engineering student Kaela Mattson said she is concerned about waste, even though students will have access to a number recycling bins throughout the student seating area to dispose of the water bottles, according to a press release.\n"It's a good idea - people will definitely use it," Mattson said. "But personally, I hate water bottles ... It'd be better if people could bring their own water bottles and refill them there."\nAthletics Director Craig Littlepage, whose office has worked with Council to iron out the logistical details of the program, said he supports the initiative.\n"I think that's a prudent measure to ensure that the students will have access to the water in situations where hydrating is a priority," Littlepage said, "[especially] when it relates to the potential safety of students"
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