Last Saturday, I participated in the Dayton to Daytona registration process. This being my first time going to Daytona, I had no idea what was about to occur.

I had viewed and read about the outcome of last year's campout and the changes that followed it. As a result, I expected a more organized and, most importantly, safer registration process. My subsequent experiences proved my expectations only partially correct.

While it is true the removal of the overnight campout removed many alcohol-related problems, there is still room for improvement. The procedure of announcing the formation of hotel lines at random locations must be reformed. This practice produced a stampede of students pushing and harming others in order to obtain their desired hotel. I saw many students being pulled to the ground and disappear into the waves of the crowd. After witnessing the chaos produced by the masses of eager students, I offer a possible solution.

Effective next year, the Dayton to Daytona Committee should institute a grade-based lottery system. The first lottery would offer seniors the first selection of hotel rooms followed by separate lotteries for juniors, sophomores and freshmen. I feel the senior class should be rewarded for graduating by receiving first choice of rooms in Daytona.

This is justified because after Dayton to Daytona the majority of seniors will likely begin full time jobs or enter graduate school. This trip provides the final week for seniors to be together as a class. Because all underclassmen will become seniors, this policy provides an equal opportunity for all UD students.

Another positive aspect of this proposed reform is the reduction of the likelihood of students being harmed during the registration process. The idea of UD students harming each other over a hotel room is appalling. The actions of certain individuals last Saturday do not represent the Marianist values this university promotes and practices.

The creation of a lottery removes the need for the randomly announced hotel lines. It also does not reward individuals who bully themselves to the front of the lines. One's hotel room in Daytona should not be determined by where one was standing one day in January or one's strength and ability to maneuver through crowds. Rather, it should represent a fond farewell for graduating seniors and an incentive for returning upperclassmen.

The institution of a grade based lottery system would offer this opportunity. While current freshman and sophomores may feel slighted by this proposal, they will reap the rewards in the near future. Their short term losses will result in long term gain for themselves and all future UD students.

The institution of a grade based lottery system would provide a safe and equal hotel distribution process while eliminating the problems of the current system.

Dan Kirschner

Junior

Political Science