Block seating has been a major part of football at the University of Alabama for over a decade. As it currently stands, block seating takes up a major part of lower-bowl seating located behind the field goal post in the south endzone. In the 2019 football season (the last season during which block seating was in effect), blocks filled sections S2-S8, however, it is important to note that section S8 will no longer be student seating as of the 2021 football season. The current system of block seating starts at the end of the spring semester with the selection of the Board of Governors. This group is made up of 10 members, including one member that is non-voting and appointed from the student government association judicial board. The Board of Governors is effectively in charge of reviewing the applications submitted by organizations in addition to allocating the blocks based on the scores on both the application and presentation by the organizations seeking blocks. Who selects the Board of Governors? It’s an unregulated process where applicants are selected by SGA executives who are directly affiliated with the extremely racist political Machine on our campus. The next step of the process is the submission of applications by organizations. If an organization wants a block, they have to submit a packet that includes member’s information, such as GPA, CWID’s, and even a list of the organization's ethnic minorities. This will also include the other information in the rubric as discussed in the facts below. The organization also presents to the Board of Governors which is where the professionalism score comes from. The Board of Governors does not list their definition of professionalism anywhere on campus. Finally, the Board scores the organizations. From this information, the VPSA of SGA and the Director of Athletics, within the cabinet of the VPSA of SGA, allocate the blocks to the organizations based on the scores provided by the Board of Directors. 

Ultimately, block seating needs to be removed because of the inequitable process and policies, as well as the discrimination towards those not in Greek Organizations, women, those with less disposable income, and people of color. Block seating on campus has never been equitable, diverse, or inclusive, and the determination from many to keep it around has only come from those who benefit from the process. As seen in the 2020 football season, the student section was successful without blocks, allowing everyone the equal opportunity to sit wherever they desired. Block seating should be permanently removed in order to ensure the equitable and inclusive environment that the University of Alabama strives to establish and protect.