University representatives confirmed on Oct. 23 that Vanderbilt would uphold its policy banning overnight camping on campus. The announcement comes ahead of College GameDay’s visit on Oct. 25. The college football pregame show is famous for its field-goal kicking contest. Students often camp out on the show’s set overnight to potentially be selected.
“I think it takes a lot of fun [out of the experience],” junior Kyle Curtin said. “I think part of the fun is kind of the pain of just waking up early in the morning and camping outside to be able to kick a ball.”
The university policy, which is available on a Vanderbilt Athletics website, outlines many things that could be construed as camping, even beyond simply tents.
“Camping’ means erecting, placing, maintaining, leaving, allowing to remain a tent, chair or other piece of furniture, raised tarp, lean-to, shack, or other temporary shelter or structure on campus grounds,” the policy reads.
Curtin felt that the policies were overly restrictive.
“That’s lounging at that point,” Curtin said. “I don’t know why they’re taking that away.”
Junior Aaron Wilkinson echoed similar sentiments.
“It’s a bummer, but I can’t say I’m surprised,” Wilkinson said.
The founder and President of the Sports Business & Analytics Club and former Hustler Lead Sports Analyst, Adam Burns, expressed disappointment but was still willing to put in an overnight effort to get to GameDay early.
“I was disappointed by the cancellation as I was looking forward to the unique experience of camping out with friends in the middle of campus,” Burns said in a message to The Hustler. “I’ll probably still go, but it will be a worse experience without being able to camp out.”
Guillermo Nieves, a first-year in Gillette House, shared his perspective as a student who lives on the Commons year-round.
“When I heard about this no camping policy on Wyatt Lawn, I was actually very disappointed,” Nieves said. “I’m right next to all the action. I feel like having everyone there would have brought the community closer, and we don’t get to do that anymore.”
Some students, however, were unaffected by the update.
“I didn’t care because I was never going to camp,” junior Sammy Woody said. “It’s not something that interests me.”
It remains to be seen what time the pit for GameDay will actually open, but school websites have cited a Friday start. The show itself will run from 8-11 a.m. CDT ahead of Vanderbilt’s game against Missouri on Oct. 25.
