OUR VIEW: Future blood battles can be planned better

While blood drives are an important way to help someone else, the way the “Blood Battle” was run on Monday left something to be desired.

Blood was being taken in the middle of the Sunburst Lounge with no curtains. Some students didn’t like walking by, seeing fellow students with needles in their arms.

But not only were there no curtains, parking permits were being sold right next to those donating blood. Speaking of parking, was it really necessary to have the Red Cross Van taking up not one, not two, but EIGHT parking spots in the coveted ‘B’ lot on the busiest day of the year?

If they were looking for advertising opportunities, it would have been equally, if not more effective, to park the van on the Quad, which wouldn’t have hindered parking.

In addition, it would have been better to have a blood drive on any other day than the first day of classes. Many students would like to donate but are too stressed and busy trying to find classes and sign in to those they need.

Although competition with the University of Utah is a good idea, the playing field is anything but level. Utah has a hospital on campus where students can donate anytime. It has a TV station, KSL, that has been promoting the U’s end of it. USU, on the other hand, has three days – Friday being the last day to collect blood. So hopefully they will have enough time then.

But at least those who donate get free T-shirts.