Every new school year at Auburn brings about changes, and some are more noticeable than others.
One of this year's changes is a new organizational seating program for Jordan Hare Stadium.
Though the new system will be easier to implement, there is concern that it may hurt student volunteering.
The new system will only use Ignited points from different sporting events to decide which organizations receive block seating.
The old system awards points for participating in philanthropies and other charitable work.
Jennifer Lolley, administrator for the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve, believes the new system brings about more harm than good.
"I'm real concerned (about the new spirit system) because I totally rely on IMPACT students to help me out," Lolley said.
IMPACT is a student volunteer organization that sends volunteers to 15 local organizations that need the extra help.
"I get some students who just come out for the good of it, and they like to be outside, but I think a whole lot of the reason I got them was those spirit points," Lolley said. "They just chose my place because both boys and girls enjoy being outside, so they'd come work for us, but when those spirit points aren't available I'm definitely worried my numbers will decrease greatly."
Many IMPACT volunteers come from fraternities and sororities, and the number of participants could drop if spirit point incentives are taken away.
"I like to help out the community, so I try to do as much volunteer work as I can," said Erick Cooper, senior in accounting. "But I think the number of volunteers will go down without the spirit points incentive."
Holly Crawford, junior in public relations, agrees with Cooper.
"I do think volunteers' numbers will decrease with the new system, unfortunately," Crawford said. "I know a lot of the fraternities and sororities make a big push toward spirit points. It's great for rush if you are involved in spirit points."
The SGA believes the new system will decrease some of the disingenuous volunteers whose motives were solely for spirit points, but Lolley is not sure if motives matter with volunteer work.
"I had such a good response, whether they were there for student points or not. They worked so hard," Lolley said. "They were excellent workers, but I do think the ones who will be volunteering now will probably be there more just because they want to."
Though the new system may decrease volunteer work, there are still numerous opportunities to help out.
IMPACT, and other means of volunteering, can be found under the Student Involvement tab at auburn.edu/student affairs.
Lolley will also be working to encourage volunteers.
"I'll have to try to make up for lack of volunteers if this does happen," Lolley said. "Then again, you get the really good quality ones who just do it because they want to."
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