Flexing the fiscal muscle Expanded Student Activities Fee enhances options for student events

Author: Mary Lane


Audio produced by Radio Arts Middlebury.

While glancing over your half-yearly bill from the College, something may have caught your eye on one line item - the Student Activities Fee (SAF) jumped $120. This year's increase of the SAF to $360 has resulted in many benefits including cheaper concert tickets, more events and the introduction of the Social Flex Fund (SFF), according to SGA Finance Committee chairman AnnMarie Wesolowski '08.

Although many students have voiced concern and dissent regarding the higher Student Activities Fee, it had not been raised by more than $10 for the past 10 years, said Wesolowski.

"We sent out a survey to students which confirmed our decision," she said in a recent interview.

The incorporation of Inter-Commons Council (ICC) into the Middlebury College Activities Board (MCAB) - a decision finalized by last year's SGA Finance Committee chair Amanda Goodwin '07.5 - along with an increase in MCAB funds to $245,150 has allowed for more efficient organization of bigger name concerts, such as the Regina Spektor concert on Sept. 29.

"In the past those tickets would have been about $20," said Wesolowski. "Due to the larger budget, we were able to cut ticket prices to $10."

The SFF is another aspect of the expanded budget that the SGA and MCAB hope will bring a boost to the College's social scene.

"The Flex Fund was designed to give students responsibility to create social events, as well as money to do it with," said MCAB Social Committee Chair Caitlin Taylor '08.

The SFF has a budget of $20,000, from which students can receive up to $1,500 for each event, including the expense of registered alcohol.

"While we want [each event] to be accessible to the whole student body, but it only needs to hold 200 people," said Taylor. "Everyone complains about the social life and now we have funds to help students take control of their social life and createÖparties that they've always wanted to have."

However the new fund is not a student grab bag. Events which receive funding must not fall under the umbrella of another group at Middlebury.

"Someone wanted funding for a student play, but we couldn't give it to them because they needed to go to a theater organization." Taylor explained.

Patch Culbertson '08.5 received funds from the Flex Fund to create "Modapalooza," the official after party to the Regina Spektor show. The event's name was inspired by the senior housing modular home lot near the recycling center. During the party, every "mod" was open and in the quad between them, a live jazz band played.

"The SFF assisted immensely in running this fall's Modapalooza," Culbertson wrote in an e-mail to The Campus. "I love the new Social Flex Fund because it supports students investing in students."

Taylor said "Modapalooza" is an example of the type of party that students should use funds for.

"The Flex Fund could help if you wanted to hire a cheaper band for a smaller party with a style that isn't available here on campus," she said.

Taylor herself is trying to liven up Middlebury's social life through the creation of a new formal dance. The Homecoming Tent Formal will be held under a heated tent on McCullough Lawn on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Tickets for the formal can be purchased starting Oct. 17 through the Box Office, which can be accessed through the College Web site.

"Besides Winter Carnival Ball, Middlebury just doesn't have enough formal parties," said Taylor. "I'm hoping that the beautiful tent, great food and drinks and fantastic music will make for a unique Middlebury party experience."

The formal will feature alumni band The Grift, which will be playing "fun covers [that are] great dance music," Taylor described. Taylor wants the formal to have a classy atmosphere, complete with "white lights and flowers [and] hors d'oeurvresÖprepared by Middlebury Catering." Alcohol will be served for those over 21.

The increased MCAB budget has also created synergy among the student entertainment groups. WRMC, the College's student-run radio station, not only keeps the airwaves full beaming from atop Proctor Dining Hall - they also bring smaller, independent musical acts to campus in their annual concert entitled "Sepomana."

"The money situation is good," said WRMC General Manager Ernest Russell '09. "We currently have the opportunity to throw a concert in J-Term. We have two representatives on the new board, so we are pretty happy."

Maybe you balked initially before writing the check for the SAF increase, but with initiatives like the Flex Fund, Middlebury hopes to ensure that the money is back in your hands.