Springfest Logistics: Are Raised Event Fees being put to use?

As Southern University Spring semester comes to a nearing end, The Student Government Association Executive Cabinet & Jaguar Activities Board’s annual Springfest unfolds.
This year, Sunday March 31st – April 5th, both boards under the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement unveiled an exciting lineup of events themed around the title “You Got Springfest,” a nod to the 2004 dance film “You Got Served.”
Jaria Hunter, a Junior Political Science major, serving as one of the Director’s of the Jaguar Activities Board, expressed the inspiration behind the theme, stating, “One of the reasons we chose this theme was to bring back that nostalgic feeling of the 2000s/Y2K era.” With references to the dance film and its energetic spirit, Springfest 2024 promises to be a memorable experience for students as a “family.”
Just like the film, families share various similarities as HBCU students. Families argue, agree to disagree, and most importantly bond through opportunities.
Let’s examine the statistical data. Institutions like Howard University typically sustain an annual enrollment averaging around 10,000 students across the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms. Similarly, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University typically maintains an average enrollment of over 12,000 students. In contrast, Louisiana State University boasts a substantial overall average enrollment exceeding 30,000 students.
All three schools I just mentioned have a share a commonality for either putting on a Homecoming and/or Spring festivities.
Notice, I presented their attendance numbers and not what their school(s) charge students upfront during enrollment for each term.
Allow me to emphasize a crucial point: Southern University Main Campus adopts a unique approach, budgeting upfront for all three terms, unlike many other institutions. This strategic planning alleviates the need for students to scramble during Springfest week to cover expenses associated with headliners like Lloyd, Bossman Dlow, or the previous year’s Homecoming Concert headliner, Latto. When we delve into the financial logistics, it becomes evident that booking and accommodating such artists can incur significant expenses, not to mention additional costs for catering, security, and other hospitality needs throughout the week.
Trust me, if you’re an active student who completed the Enrollment Process, you are paying for it. Just give your Student Assessment fees labeled as, “Special Events Fee,” a review – which is currently $80.00 (USD) for Fall & Spring. Summer fees are half that amount if applicable.
Moreover – if you attend both Spring & Fall semester, that’s about $160.00 that will go towards supporting each festivity such as Springfest & Homecoming.
Now that you have a grasp of the fundamentals, consider this scenario: If the budget is pre-allocated on a term-by-term basis, taking into account Southern University’s average enrollment of approximately 6,500 students across all terms during the 2023-2024 academic year, let’s assume the board allocated funds for about 4,840 students for the upcoming Spring term. Multiplying this by the $80.00 fee per student, the total budget would amount to approximately $387,200. However, it’s worth noting that this sum may barely cover the expenses associated with booking just one major headliner, whereas Southern University typically hosts three headlining artists for the concert event alone.
Logistically, that money would cover their overall hospitality, travel to and from campus, lodging – because they need might want to explore the city, now triple these costs because they aren’t coming alone. All to put on a show for us Jags!
After thorough research, Southern University is considered a small institution being that we don’t withstand up to or over 10,000 students annually. So the next time you complain about not having XYZ artist or an outlandish line up – either petition we pay out of pocket for every Spring/Fall event or vote to propose the “Special Events Fee,” increase again until we can afford someone like, Drake or Cardi B.
As a student and staff writer, I suggest we continue supporting and uplifting our teams who help plan and program no matter how big or small the event. Our student retention plays a major role in this privilege we hold as an institution – let’s encourage our Jags to #FinishStronger to execute endless opportunities such as this year’s Springfest!