The number of students getting in trouble for giving their basketball tickets and student ID’s to allow other students or non-students to get into games has significantly increased this season.

The Office of Student Conduct has recorded 100 incidents of people trying to get into a basketball game with another’s ID and ticket this basketball season, said John Zacker, director of student conduct.This number is a drastic increase from previous seasons, though he does not know what has caused the rise.

Most instances occurred in December over winter break, said Michael Lipitz, associate athletic director.

While entering a basketball game, the student’s ticket, ID and information on the scanner all have to have to match before a student can enter, Lipitz said. If there is a discrepancy, officials confiscate the ticket-holder’s ID and take his or her information.

The punishment for letting someone use your ID can vary, Zacker said, but the Office of Student Conduct has chosen to be fairly lenient for first-time offenders, who will typically face a two-game suspension and a 90-day probation period. The Athletics Department refers the cases to the office, and may recommend a punishment ranging from a two- to five-game suspension.

This policy has not changed in the four years since it was implemented, Lipitz said, however some students said they were not aware of the penalties of breaking the rules of the ticket policy.

There is some discrepancy over how long the Athletics Department has referred cases to the Office of Student Conduct. Lipitz said the Athletics Department has referred cases of ticket fraud to the Office of Student Conduct for the past four years – the time since online ticketing has been in place.

However, Zacker said the Athletics Department just began referring cases to the Office of Student Conduct this season. Zacker said he may not have known about cases being referred to the Office of Student Conduct during past seasons because there were so few incidents of students being caught trying to sneak into games.

Zacker said it is not worth it for students to let others use their ID and ticket because those persons simply won’t be allowed into the game, and the owner of the student ID or ticket will be punished.

“I encourage our students to abide by the policy regarding these tickets to avoid severe consequences,” Zacker said.

But many students feel it is worth the risk so they can have loyalty points to get into the popular games.

Vivian Ibanez, a freshman psychology major, gave her brother her ID and another girl’s ticket to get into the Wake Forest game over winter break.

“I figure I’m not cheating them out. One person is always going to go to the game,” Ibanez said. “I paid my athletic fees and sent someone in my place.”

Ibanez feels the punishment she received – forfeiting tickets to the next two games and 90-days probation – was excessive because she is missing the Duke and Georgia Tech games.

“It’s too strong – I’ve only done it once,” Ibanez said. “I feel they should give you a warning.”

Contact reporter Will Skowronski at skowronskidbk@gmail.com.