Springfest 2018: A breakdown of expenses

Each spring, as the academic year reaches its end, Southern University recognizes the hard work its students have accomplished and repays them with a week of entertainment called Springfest.
According to information provided by the Director of Student Life, Jonas Vanderbilt, the planning and funding for several options for Springfest and “surrounding events are presented, checked, priced, and either included or reevaluated making sure we attempt to dot every ‘i’ and cross every ‘t.’
This year, the week consisted of traditional events that the student body look forward to such as the spring fashion show, the Greek show, the comedy show, student choice awards, crawfish boil, and picnic. Each attraction, set-up, and guest performer included has been paid for or compensated.
The week led up to Saturday night’s highly anticipated spring concert. Having hosted past artists like Lil’ Wayne, Future, Gucci Mane, Jacquees, and H.E.R., the bar had been set high
While the university has hosted several major artists during one event in previous year, this year, SUBR hosted legend, 2 Chainz along with girl group, June’s Diary via 2 Deep Entertainment for a charge of $209,000. Expenses included flights for artist and crew, hotels, sound, video feed, and lighting for all inside events for the week.
Local, upcoming performers Young Hub City and La’Donte Lotts, creator of Jiggaerobics, charged SU $1,000 for their performance.
“The end result is normally concert draft number 5-7 after getting rejections because of tour dates and larger concerts in Spring (ie. Coachella and other obligations made), pricing, or even no responses in rare cases,” Vanderbilt explained via email.
Fortunately, 2 Chainz performed hits from his fourth studio album, Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, but many of Southern’s pretty girls had other interests Saturday night, such as sophomore Elementary Education major, Aliska Franklin. “I didn’t participate this year,” she admitted, laughing out loud, “I had to work.”
Other students took to Twitter to express their disappointment, to which SGA President-elect, Anthony Kenney responded, “Some HBCUs would kill to have even one of the artists we get every year for concerts. We have to be grateful as a student body,” setting an example of humility and appreciation.
All of these events are free to students , but behind the scenes is six months of planning on behalf of SGA, NPHC, the Gold’N Bluez, and the Office of Student Life.
Safety is always the university’s main priority, especially when there are gatherings with such high numbers as Springfest’s popular events. Throughout the week, it is estimated that between $25-$30,000 was allocated to security and services.
In keeping with Springfest tradition, the annual Spring Fashion Show was held on Wednesday following a hot, pretty Wednesday.
The event showcased the works of four designers who worked to put together lines for the new fashion season. While Southern Louisiana’s spring has been a cold one, designers like junior Nursing major Morgan Malone kept the Felton G. Clark Activity Center blazing with their Spring/Summer 2018 collections.
The week’s events were an opportunity for students to support their fellow Jags, especially at the fashion show and Greek show. “The Greek show had some amazing performances. My main reason for going was to support my best friend, a new initiate of Delta Sigma Theta,” junior Electronics Engineering Technology major, Trinion Winbush recalled. In lieu of a place in the budget, the Greek show charged guests a $10 entry fee.
A huge attraction for the students is that many of the events are free to those with valid IDs. The budget allowed nearly $10,000 to giveaway items including t-shirts, portable fans, and water bottles.
Thursday night’s comedy show and Student Choice Awards were also covered, with a little over $407 spent on student awards and trophies, and $14,000 paid for the travel and lodging of four comedians, including Atlanta, Georgia’s DC Young Fly.
The 4th Annual Capital City Car Show, rescheduled to Sunday, April 29 consisted of over 200 vehicles and 1,500 attendees.