Contest puts car in hands of UVSC students

OREM -- When considering parking in an unauthorized area at Utah Valley State College, think again.

A car parked outside the Sorensen Student Center was towed away on Thursday night after campus police discovered the 1995 Ford Taurus parked on the sidewalk.

Police had been told the vehicle -- intended as the grand prize for the upcoming, "Keep Your Hand on the Car" contest sponsored by the school's student life organization -- would be parked inside the student center, school police said.

Because of its size, the vehicle could not fit through the student center doors and the decision was made to park it outside on the sidewalk. The change in plans led to the miscommunication and subsequent towing, said Heather Barnum, assistant director of college relations for UVSC.

At the expense of the school's police department, the vehicle was returned on Friday and -- with college police approval -- is resting comfortably on the sidewalk outside the student center.

On Feb. 2, the student life branch of UVSC's student government office will hold the contest which will require entrants to keep one hand in contact with the car for as long as possible. Bathroom breaks will not be allowed and participants will not be allowed to wear a diaper, student government officials said. The last person touching the car will win the vehicle which was purchased by the student government at a local auto auction. Potential contestants must be enrolled in at least six semester units at UVSC.

"It's a great way for a UVSC student to get a much-needed first or second car," student body president Jim Bassi said.

A similar contest -- "Hold On To Your Love Sack" -- was held last year and the winner held on for more than 12 hours. To expedite this year's contest, participants will be required to drink a glass of water at regular intervals. Only 60 contestants will be allowed to compete and, once awarded, the vehicle and all future parking violations become the responsibility of the contest's winner.

Because of the car's size and inability to fit through the student center doors, a smaller car will be used during the actual contest inside the building, but the grand prize will still be the Taurus.

Applications and rules for the contest are available in Room SC- 105 of the Sorensen Student Center.

E-mail: kmartinez@desnews.com

Copyright C 2005 Deseret News Publishing Co.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.