I need my mommy ... ?

[Heavenguard]

I was talking to my coach today about an upcoming competition this weekend. I was planning on driving there myself, but then my coach told me that students (this is a university team) are not allowed to drive themselves to events. If I wanted to get there separate from the team, I'd have to be driven by a parent.

I'm 21 and I need my mommy to drive me around ...? Did I slip into some parallel universe where the age of majority is like 35 or something?? What the heck???

[noodle]

welcome to the bureoucracy of university.

[Rabid Monk]

Wow.
Were it me, I'd drive anyway.

I have my own vehicle(s) (see sig), I work my on job, and my parents would likely be busy.

Seriously, I would try the "My parent(s) is/are too busy" line. Emphasize your independance, and the utter pointlessness of requiring a person of majority age to get a parent or guardian to babysit them.

[Shi no Tenshi]

That's kinda bordering on insulting....I wonder why they have that policy. What is the difference if the parent drives you or not? I can only see from an injury standpoint, but even then...there are ways around such things. Obnoxious.

[Lemonaide]

In light of the recent accident involving a coach and three other fencers, maybe that was his reason? We used to drive together, but that was 20 years ago, maybe you need to think of other ways of getting there. The bus?

[wahrman]

Tell him that your parents are dead.

But seriously, what the hell can they do?

Bollocks.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

That is ONE of the most RIDICULOUS things I've ever heard. When I was in school, not only did we DRIVE OURSELVES to both NCAA and non-NCAA events, but sometimes we crammed five or more people into my notoriously unreliable 1974 VW Beetle. And sometimes we STAYED OVERNIGHT! Sometimes we SLEPT WITH GIRLS in the same room when we were there! AND...we DRANK BEER *gasp!* Good God...we drove from Wisconsin to the Penn State Open in a half-dead Chevette which we had to roll-start!

This is where you nod your head, say OK, and completely ignore your coach. Don't even tell him/her when you go now. Or if you do, tell him/her that your parents beamed themselves over and drove you...whatever.

[Gav]

Originally Posted by Heavenguard

I was talking to my coach today about an upcoming competition this weekend. I was planning on driving there myself, but then my coach told me that students (this is a university team) are not allowed to drive themselves to events. If I wanted to get there separate from the team, I'd have to be driven by a parent.

I'm 21 and I need my mommy to drive me around ...? Did I slip into some parallel universe where the age of majority is like 35 or something?? What the heck???

How exactly can they enforce this?

[Nicksmom]

Looks like a job for......Nicksmom.
I'll drive you honey. Did you coach say YOUR parent or a parent? If he said "a parent" tell him you are a parent. How would he know.
Any way, most kids I know that are in college, are no where near there parents.

[matt9476]

Originally Posted by Heavenguard

I was talking to my coach today about an upcoming competition this weekend. I was planning on driving there myself, but then my coach told me that students (this is a university team) are not allowed to drive themselves to events. If I wanted to get there separate from the team, I'd have to be driven by a parent.

I'm 21 and I need my mommy to drive me around ...? Did I slip into some parallel universe where the age of majority is like 35 or something?? What the heck???

I agree its ridiculous, but it's probably due to liability. Since this is a university team, and you're going to a competition to represent the school, if something happens to you, the university is responsible. The only alternative to you taking the school bus is to have a parent drive you. If something happens to you while in your parents' car, the school isn't responsible. I don't know that that's the case, but it's the most likely answer.
What did your coach say when you asked "why"?

[Cry_Me_A_River]

Does your couch expect you to hold your Dad's hand while you while you fence with your non-fencing hand?

[Rabid Monk]

Originally Posted by matt9476

I agree its ridiculous, but it's probably due to liability. Since this is a university team, and you're going to a competition to represent the school, if something happens to you, the university is responsible. The only alternative to you taking the school bus is to have a parent drive you. If something happens to you while in your parents' car, the school isn't responsible. I don't know that that's the case, but it's the most likely answer.
What did your coach say when you asked "why"?

See, that almost makes sense, except that he's 21.
He doesn't need his parents to sign a liability waiver. And if his university is anything like mine, nobody really cares what you do in your spare time. The university is neither responsible nor accountable for the actions of a student.

[Philistine]

Originally Posted by Gav

How exactly can they enforce this?

Well, if they find out you drove yourself, they can kick you off the team.

Is this a club or NCAA team? If NCAA, what division?

--Philistine

[DE_Strip_Tease]

How long is the drive?

We have similar rules at my university (though we rarely follow them). If the trip is over 4 hours long, there must be more than one driver and they must switch every four hours. It's a liability thing.

It dosen't HAVE to be a parent, I don't think. Just a responsible driver. Usually they ask for the phone numbers and insurance info on the people going with you. They usually say a "parent" because you are typically on the same insurance and it saves them the paperwork.

Honestly, they don't enforce it most of the time, at leat at my school.
Then again, I'm still not sure they even understand what fencing is ...

Originally Posted by Rabid Monk

The university is neither responsible nor accountable for the actions of a student.

Yes, but if he is representing a school team they are responsible.

[pigeonmeister]

I seem to remember my Uni murmering about me using my own car to take people to Uni matches. They didn't mind me hiring one from their poule of hire cars (but that took more out of our travel budget). We ignored them- and still do. The finance office still renumerates our petrol costs- which I take as tacit approval.

They also told us to have two drivers for trips over 4 hrs (which this being the UK means going half the length of the country!) Again, we ignored it for the rare trips that were that long. Actually, i have missed a trip to Newcastle today (injured) which would have been that long. I would have driven, as I have done for the last 3 seasons- at least once in my own car.

Ignore them.

[Gav]

Originally Posted by Philistine

Well, if they find out you drove yourself, they can kick you off the team.

How?

And aren't you an adult (in the US) by the time you are 21???

[DE_Strip_Tease]

He is an adult, but the university has responsibility for him until he is no longer a student representing their team.

They wouldn't kick him off the team. The team has say over how is or is not on their team.

Again, I wouldn't bother with bringing a parent. Talk to your coach about it.

Is there anyone else on your team going who can drive? Take them with you if it's such a big deal.

[Philistine]

Originally Posted by Gav

How?

Any number of ways--by asking the parent to check in with the coach at the event. Requiring a signed form. Etc. Whether this is likely to happen probably depends on the coach (or the AD if there is an accident or somehow otherwise brought to their attention).

And aren't you an adult (in the US) by the time you are 21???

Yes. Actually, you are an adult at 18 (for all relevant purposes). That doesn't mean the school has to treat you like an adult.

My suspicion is that it's a university-wide Athletic Department rule that is in place for administrative convenience (as well as cost-savings). According to NCAA Rules (for Div 1 & 2 schools), the school cannot reimburse a student for travel expenses for their travel to a game if accompanied by a parent (or other relative or friend). Therefore, I can see a thrifty AD deciding to require all non-team travel to be done with a parent.

--Philistine

[Gav]

Originally Posted by Philistine

Any number of ways--by asking the parent to check in with the coach at the event. Requiring a signed form. Etc. Whether this is likely to happen probably depends on the coach (or the AD if there is an accident or somehow otherwise brought to their attention).

I don't know whether to laugh of cry at this absurd notion...

I can imagine what my mum would've said to anyone who asked me to show her as some sort of proof that I had "travelled safely". In fact, I find this so absurd, I struggle to take it seriously...

Yes. Actually, you are an adult at 18 (for all relevant purposes). That doesn't mean the school has to treat you like an adult.

My suspicion is that it's a university-wide Athletic Department rule that is in place for administrative convenience (as well as cost-savings). According to NCAA Rules (for Div 1 & 2 schools), the school cannot reimburse a student for travel expenses for their travel to a game if accompanied by a parent (or other relative or friend). Therefore, I can see a thrifty AD deciding to require all non-team travel to be done with a parent.

--Philistine

Now this just continues the absurdist theme...

[Philistine]

Note that I didn't say I thought this was a good rule.

I think it's silly.

OTOH, I think it quite likely that it's not this fencing coach's personal rule, but rather one foisted on him by the Athletic Department--and that they likely have their reasons for making the rule (generally to discourage non-team travel).

--Philistine