By Sarah Metcalf
For members of the class of 2004, the cancellation of the Springfest concert means not only the loss of the opportunity to see Ludacris on stage, but also the permanent loss of their $100 Student Activities Fee (SAF).
Many members of the senior class said they feel as though they are “getting the shaft,” and should receive some sort of compensation — possibly in the form of a price cut on senior week.
“I think that it would be ideal to offset some of the pricing of the activities seniors are going to attend,” said William Smolen, a senior finance and marketing major. “I’m not complaining, I’m glad somebody is doing something for senior week, and I’m going to attend the events, but I like the idea of a price cut, because even though you’re getting what you paid for, the events can become expensive.”
Smolen is not the only senior who is upset to see his SAF not being put to use for his class.
“I don’t think losing our money is fair, but I would like for [the administration] to use it towards us in some sort of way instead of saving it for next year when we can’t use it,” said James Cinque, a senior finance and marketing major.
Although it is unfortunate seniors lost their Springfest concert, said Student Government Association Vice President for Financial Affairs Michael Benson, their SAF is not lost.
“Every undergraduate’s $100 goes towards numerous programs throughout the school year,” Benson said. “Someone broke it down, and only about 12 or 14 dollars would have actually gone towards Springfest – the fee has gone towards over 60 unique programs over the course of the year.”
For over a year and a half, members of the senior class council have planned events to send the class of 2004 out with a bang. This year’s activities kick off on Monday, April 26 with a trip to Mohegan Sun Casino. On Tuesday, April 27, seniors have the opportunity to go to Good Time Emporium in Somerville — a venue complete with bumper cars, pool, darts, laser tag, DJ, buffet and a nightclub.
On Wednesday, April 28, the Office of Alumni Relations will be sponsoring a “senior send-off” in Krentzman Quadrangle. That night, a formal dinner at Top of the Hub will be held. The following night, seniors can board a harbor cruise with a tropical paradise theme.
With tickets ranging from $20-$60, attending a full week of activities can become extremely expensive for a senior class member. Due to the expense, some seniors felt their SAF should go towards their senior week activities to lower costs, or should just be refunded altogether. However, since time is running short, a refund is not possible, Benson said.
“We are currently looking into ways to use the funding that would have gone towards Springfest, but refunds would be subjective — who would get them, etc.,” he said. “We are reaching out to the senior class – we’re working with them to maybe come up with an event we can sponsor with them.”
The Class Council had been tossing around ideas about requesting T-shirts to be made for each event with the reallocated money, and since spirit T-shirts are fundable under the Budget Review Committee’s manual, a request would definitely be considered, Benson said.
Even compensation in the form of T-shirts would be acceptable, Smolen said.
“I see Boston College T-shirts around, a lot that have designs from events on them, and I think that’s a cool way to give something back to the seniors that will help them remember senior week,” he said. “I think a lot of seniors would wear them.”
Cinque said while T-shirts may not be the ideal form of compensation, it would be better than nothing.
“I think the ideal situation would be for another event to take place, like a trip or something that’s a social activity where everyone could be involved,” he said. “I would like to get something out of it though, I think everyone wants to get something out of it. T-shirts might not be the best way, but it’s a start.”
Benson also said he thinks the university should give something back to the senior class, but not necessarily in the form of a refund.
“I don’t know what the university should do,” he said. “Maybe a statement thanking the senior class and giving back. They’ve given so much money and time, and although it’s not on purpose, they’re being thrown away in a sense, and it’s not acceptable.”
The Senior Class Council is simply looking to put on a successful senior week right now, said Core Advisor to the senior class and Director of the Curry Student Center Robert Grier.
“The leadership core of the senior class spoke very clearly at the last meeting that they have one mission, and that’s to execute senior week successfully,” Grier said. “My sense is that most people want to say, ‘Hey, we’re seniors, and we have a program to put on.’ They’re not looking back or looking sideways — they’re not looking at anything else except what’s ahead.”
Grier said he has watched the class go through much tougher things in the past five years than the cancellation of a concert, and they have managed to make it through.
“I’ve worked with this class for five years and I’ve had a wonderful experience working with them,” he said. “Their blood, sweat and tears have gone into their work, and into surviving five years in whatever academic classes they’re in — those are the challenges they’ve faced, not the cancellation of a concert.”
