SpringFest excitement not halted by budget cuts

While the annual end-of-the-year SpringFest has undergone a few changes, outgoing Student Government Association, assures the student body that budgeting problems will not deter the festivities.
With a recent budgeting cut of $13,500, the usually three-day event has been cut down to a two-day activity, a fact that SGA Public Relations Director Anthony Monroe says will not matter come April 26.
“We had to make it work,” said Monroe of the $40,000 SpringFest budget. “That’s one thing that the Ash regime was good at-making it work. While we tried to get acts that would attract different types of people, we understand that some of the acts aren’t exactly good.” Monroe says that what the budget saved on security for a full comedy show, other first time attractions were added to fill the void.
“This year we have an oxygen bar, mechanical bull, battle of the sexes jousting, and a misting tent.”
After the announcement of the performance line-up, many students have voiced their complaints and opinions against the show, and the performing artists, but others are approaching SpringFest with a level of enthusiasm.
One such student is graduating senior Tomeka Jones, who will attend her last SpringFest as a Southern University student Saturday. Jones, a business management major from Baton Rouge reflected Monroe’s sentiment.
“The student body will make the best of what we have. With everything being provided all at once in one day is a change. Students will adjust and make the best of it-besides, it is still Southern University’s SpringFest, and students will support it.”
Freshman Kyron Davis, a music education major also of Baton Rouge, said that he does not have any expectations of what SpringFest should be.
“I hope that SpringFest isn’t a waste of money,” said Davis.
“I don’t know what a ‘usual’ SpringFest is, but I hope in the future that Southern University gets their stuff together.”
The 2008-2009 proposed budget of $182,500, which was based on projected enrollment, took a cut earlier this semester, but, according to assistant vice chancellor for Student Affairs, money was allegedly supposed to be credited back to the Student Government.
Travel expenses in the fall alone came to $32,410. This included bus rental, twenty-two game tickets, and food allowances for six away games, including Bayou Classic. A new addition to the budget included ‘I Love SU Fridays,’ which fell under ‘contractual services,’ and ‘professional services’ cost $16,000. Supplies, which totaled $31,300 in the projected budget, included decorations, food services, Freshman Welcome Week, SGA polos and homecoming candy. Other charges included a $1,500 clothing allowance for the SGA President, organizational funds for request of a possible $6,500; $5,000 per class for a budget, and $6,500 available executive funds for request.
Despite the lack of extra funding, Monroe wants to ensure students that SpringFest will not dissapoint.
“We made sure that we compensated for the lack of a comedy show. We know that some students are upset, but we tried to appease to everyone. SpringFest is SGA’s finale, and we’ll go out with a bang.”