2008 Woodie Awards
With fee, stage fright takes new meaning
Ricky Thompson
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: News
Student groups hosting on-campus performances may need to start hoping for tips.
That's because university officials have been charging groups a $500 set-up fee to use a heavy-duty stage purchased last summer to support large events, although, some student leaders said they were not aware of the added costs beforehand.
Christine McGill, director of Student Leadership and Engagement, said the money covers the extra staff necessary to construct and disassemble the stage after an event.
The purchase was justified because Northeastern "needed something a little more secure for our students," McGill said.
Groups and program advisers were notified about the additional fee during the fall semester, she said, adding: "it's our responsibility to tell students that they need to have a performance stage if there's going to be a performance."
Since student groups can make funding requests to the Budget Review Committee, the financial arm of the Student Government Association, the setup fee is likely to be drawn from the Student Activities Fee (SAF), a required annual fee that grabs $109 per student from tuition in order to promote on-campus programming.
Chris Bourne, SGA vice president for student services, said the setup fee for the performance stage is "something we need to look into and know for the future."
The stage would is set-up by existing Curry Student Center (CSC) service crew members, Bourne said, adding: "I want to look into this more and see exactly where the money is going and exactly why the fee is there."
Krystal Beaulieu, who served as Panhellenic Council president last year, said she was not warned about the added charge as her group was planning its annual "Greek Follies" talent show last November, and they have since protested expectations for the council to pick up the bill.
Beaulieu said the stage was set up prior to the event for an awards ceremony held hours before by Northeastern president Joseph Aoun.
That's because university officials have been charging groups a $500 set-up fee to use a heavy-duty stage purchased last summer to support large events, although, some student leaders said they were not aware of the added costs beforehand.
Christine McGill, director of Student Leadership and Engagement, said the money covers the extra staff necessary to construct and disassemble the stage after an event.
The purchase was justified because Northeastern "needed something a little more secure for our students," McGill said.
Groups and program advisers were notified about the additional fee during the fall semester, she said, adding: "it's our responsibility to tell students that they need to have a performance stage if there's going to be a performance."
Since student groups can make funding requests to the Budget Review Committee, the financial arm of the Student Government Association, the setup fee is likely to be drawn from the Student Activities Fee (SAF), a required annual fee that grabs $109 per student from tuition in order to promote on-campus programming.
Chris Bourne, SGA vice president for student services, said the setup fee for the performance stage is "something we need to look into and know for the future."
The stage would is set-up by existing Curry Student Center (CSC) service crew members, Bourne said, adding: "I want to look into this more and see exactly where the money is going and exactly why the fee is there."
Krystal Beaulieu, who served as Panhellenic Council president last year, said she was not warned about the added charge as her group was planning its annual "Greek Follies" talent show last November, and they have since protested expectations for the council to pick up the bill.
Beaulieu said the stage was set up prior to the event for an awards ceremony held hours before by Northeastern president Joseph Aoun.
Be the first to comment on this story