New tenting policies will separate the Cameron Crazies from the fair-weather fans.
Under the direction of Head Line Monitor John Reynolds, a senior, K-ville will undergo a number of changes aimed at improving its sense of community.
Some rules will increase the tenting community’s rigor. Last year, grace was automatically awarded when temperatures fell below 25 degrees, largely to combat the spread of swine flu. But colder than expected weather conditions forced line monitors to give grace for most of the first two weeks of blue tenting, Reynolds wrote in an e-mail Wednesday.
“We talked to many tenters in K-ville last year, and due to the scheduling of their tent shifts, they only slept in K-ville two or three times during the three week period of blue tenting,” Reynolds said. “This is not what we want K-ville to be about.... We want students to have fun, meet other tenters, make friends and live in a social ‘tent city’ that revolves around the spirit of Duke Basketball.”
Pre-tenting, the first opportunity for fans to set up in K-ville, will begin Jan. 3. The top tenting spots will be determined on a first-come, first-serve basis. Black tenting will begin Jan. 8, blue tenting Jan. 15 and white tenting Jan. 29.
In a survey sent to the K-ville listserv last year, some students said that the shorter tenting period meant they did not get the chance to get to know students in other tents, Reynolds said. Some fans hope the new policies will increase bonding.
“I think that this can change the atmosphere in K-ville and make it more of a community,” said sophomore Laura Gregorio, a former blue tenter. “It seemed like last year we just sat in our tent and talked with people we knew, but we never really went around and met other people or hung out with them outside their tents.”
Duke Student Government and line monitors are hoping to improve event programming in K-ville. A snowstorm hampered last year’s planned kickoff party and concert in Cameron Indoor Stadium, said Chris Brown, DSG vice president for athletic and campus services.
“The biggest unknown and concern that I have about the community is not the policy—the tenters are going to be passionate regardless. It’s the weather,” Brown said.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.