Bye Bye BAVA

Georgia College & State University’s annual BAVA celebration has been postponed to May 2004 because of a lack of student support for the event.

“We have decided to postpone it for a year,” said Eddie Howard Jr., director of Student Activities.

Construction at West Complex, new costs of the intramural complex and office costs from additions to MSU are three other reasons the event is being postponed, Howard said.

According to Howard, students always want big names for this concert. Last year, BAVA experienced low turnout due to rain, though Edwin McCain and other musicians shared their musical talents with the audience.

“The Department of Student Activities and GC&SU, in my opinion, just doesn’t have the funds to bring in anyone with a major name. A lot of times these big names will cost anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000, which doesn’t include staging and other expenses,” Howard said. “The best we can do is to bring in someone who is up and coming.”

“I think that students need to accept that we are not university of Georgia and Penn State who can bring in these big headliners. The other thing that affects us is the ability to get big deals from agents,” he added. “Some institutions have the space or a big auditorium open for scheduling, but all of our funds are allocated to the penny, and we don’t have the space. We need around six months to schedule a place and set up, but most big names give only a month’s notice.”

The goal of BAVA “has always been to aim entertainment to the students,” said Howard.

According to Howard, student activities plans to take a year to reflect on bava and collect a variety of information from students about what kind of BAVA celebration they are looking for.

According to Student Activities, there will benefits to postponing the function a year. The concert will be located in the new intramural complex on West Campus.

“I think spring 2004 will be a concert beyond belief,” Howard said.

According to Howard, after a year of research, the function will hopefully fit most students’ desires and therefore receive a higher student turnout.

After 2004, Howard plans to continue the annual commitment of BAVA.

“I think from Spring 2004 the traditions will continue,” he said.

Student Activities plans to accommodate GC&SU will several other activities.

“If students look at the amounts of things going on in the Student Activities office and the construction on campus, then they will see that we are making the best educated decision we could make,” Howard said. “I think it is best that we wait till our transition year is over.”

Campus Activities Board will handle homecoming next semester.

“We are going to pump up homecoming,” said Howard.

The week of Homecoming will feature events, such as a parade, a dance and Battle of the Bands. Student Government Association will coordinate Mr. and Ms. GC&SU.

“I think we need to make homecoming big, so students will feel a sense of pride in their institution,” Howard said.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 6 2002. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry