On a recent Saturday, I took the bus down to a favorite haunt, Lake Wauburg. It was a gorgeous day, weather-wise, and I was excited about revisiting the beautiful facility and pristine lake, as I had done with a friend a few months earlier, enjoying a nice picnic lunch with a spectacular view.
I approached the admitting booth, only to find I was not allowed to enter due to the lack of a Gator 1 Card. I protested that this had not been required on my previous visit. The attendant sympathized but said it was policy and there was nothing he could do. At my request, he gave me the number of the administrative office, but the woman who answered only reiterated his position. I responded that I would not stand for this kind of treatment of a loyal UF graduate who had contributed six years of student activity fees to the university and would contact UF President Bernie Machen to discuss the matter. Three days later, his secretary shuffled me off to some guy in the Student Affairs office, and nothing ever came of it.
So, I put it to you, current UF students: Is this fair? Will you stand with me on this, in order to get this nonsensical, discriminatory policy changed for an old ex-Gator? I help you guys out and sign your petitions all the time. I’ll edit and proofread your papers for you, if you want. Frat boys and sorority sisters, here’s a little project for you.
I am on campus at Krishna Lunch on the Plaza of the Americas just about every weekday wearing my badges and riding my bike with the stickers all over it.
A Vietnam veteran was with me that day, and he was turned away too. He was understandably furious that a man who had proudly served his country could not get in to see a damn lake.
Remember: The same thing could happen to you someday.
[Bruce Frendahl is a UF alumnus and Gainesville resident A version of this letter to the editor ran on page 7 on 6/10/2014 under the headline "Lake Wauburg incident raises ex-Gator concerns"]
