The editorial in the March 8 issue of The Spectrum titled "Spring Fest Under Funded" stated the Student Association is "out of touch with the desires of the students" due to "mismanagement and irresponsibility." This is in reference to the recent announcement of Spring Fest Campus Invasion Tour. The Spectrum wrote that the anticipated talent cost of this semester's fest ($23,000 to $37,000) is unacceptable after a promise of improved entertainment.
Last semester SA reportedly spent $210,000 on Fall Fest. After numerous complaints that the talent has not been up to par, they brought UB students Godsmack, Nas, and Lil' Kim.
Someone did something right because the attendance was the second highest of any other fest in the past 10 years. The SA listened to the student's complaints and delivered. According to The Spectrum, "SA decided to put all their eggs in one basket ... and completely overspent for the caliber of band they got at Fall Fest."
Maybe I'm confused, but exactly how did the SA overspend? Students have not been attending entertainment events. Students ask for better talent. SA provides students with better talent. Where is the mismanagement? Where is the irresponsibility? They did the smart thing by trying something new. It was successful!
Unfortunately, the budget only allots so much money per year. SA compensates by having a smaller spring fest. Does The Spectrum think we should have two small fests in which the attendance is low and no one is happy? Isn't it a better idea to have a large one in the fall with huge headliners and with a huge turnout and a smaller one in the spring? I think so. Last semester's Fall Fest was the best time I have had at a UB event and I'm proud of our SA for making it happen.
An article in the March 8 issue titled "Well Runs Dry for Spring Fest" attempts to shock the student population by printing a large graphic that accounts for SA's spending. Rather than focus on the fact SA has spent the year bringing in big names like Chris Rock and Lil' Kim, the article chooses to talk about the excess of money being spent. If we want to host successful, attended events we must expect to pay a high price. Should we have hired a no-name comedian to entertain us? Who wasn't excited to see the always-funny Chris Rock? Yes, it cost $165,000, but we got our money's worth! That is why we pay our student fee. We want to see top names in entertainment!
I think the students and the publications of UB need to start supporting SA, an organization that exists to support the students of this university. These students work very hard to do the best job that they can and if they are publicly criticized over every action they take what does that do for their morale? They work for us, the students, and if the students don't support them then why should they work at all?
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
