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Editorial: Spring Fling Should Be Free

Spring Fling is upon us. There is music, games, sports, food, and what proves to be a concert worthy of history-and it’s only costing you $20-$40 depending on when you get your admission bracelet. Why so much? Allocations. Five years ago the Spring Fling budget was one tenth of what it is now, and it was extracted from the budgets of different organizations like PACE, Student Senate, the Council of Class Officers and allocated money from the student activities fee. Three years ago the allocations committee began funding Spring Fling with larger amounts of money with the provision that all the events were free to students while still charging guests. It seemed obvious at the time that increases to the budget would be perpetual but with the same provision.Somewhere along the way those ideals fumbled and, with budgets fluctuating near $60 thousand ($15 per student), students started getting charged again. This year the cost to students is a mere $5, but still $5 too much. What justifiable reason is there for charging students for Spring Fling when they already pay for it through the student activities fee? The novelties, games, and vendors have increased marginally; band prices have gone up, but not so dramatically; and there are costly elements of Spring Fling that have been washed out since budget increases. It seems like the increased monies is directed mostly toward security. Is that what a $5 bracelet goes to? Bracelet’s cost four times as much ($20) on Saturday night. Do the band, games and security cost more if someone registers late? As if charging anything in the first place wasn’t discourteous enough, charging more the night of the event is ludicrous. Students shouldn’t have to pay an extra penny for an event they already pay for regardless of involvement. Smart people were elected to make decisions about what costs would be for Spring Fling. Charging students is like spitting in their face. Make it for the students. Make it free.