On Friday, WHRW 90.5 FM, Binghamton University’s student-run radio station, received frustrating news. Moefest, the station’s annual music festival, scheduled for Friday, will have to move from its planned location on the Peace Quad to the Old Dickinson Co-Rec field. This sudden change of plans was due to a conflict with the theatre department’s production of “Hamlet,” which is set to premiere at 8 p.m. the same night and a University policy that prevents loud events before 5:30 p.m. on class days.
Moefest is WHRW’s biggest event of the year and operates with a budget over $20,000, which is funded from BU’s student activity fee. The station began the process of booking the space in early February and got final confirmation two weeks ago, yet was given just a week’s notice that it would have to move its event to a much smaller venue, after bands had been booked and logistics finalized.
Last year, the festival drew an impressive turnout, partially due to its central location in the Peace Quad. This year, the artists expected to perform now must be informed that they are playing in a smaller, more remote location. The sudden change and potentially smaller turnout threatens WHRW’s legitimacy when booking artists and could upset a headliner like this year’s performer — Wet — who according to WHRW is expected to draw a large crowd. The larger Peace Quad venue promises a presence on-campus for an artist that the Co-Rec Field cannot provide.
While the University reserves the right to cancel or move any scheduled event on campus, it is clear that this situation was handled unfairly. Yes, the University did not violate any policy and it could not have relocated “Hamlet” because of the stage’s location. However, the short notice given to WHRW and Moefest organizers is unprofessional and shows a lack of respect for student events on campus.
Student-run groups are an invaluable asset to BU’s community. Groups like WHRW have time and time again proven that they are able to operate on a professional level and host large events that benefit much of the student body. As such, the Editorial Board believes the University should adopt a more diligent attitude towards them and be more transparent in their reservation policy. When student groups organize events, especially those of the scale and scope of Moefest, reservations should be treated as binding by the administration; with adjustments requested in a timely manner, if absolutely necessary.
This situation sets a poor precedent for future student events. It is within the University’s rights to relocate any event, even one as large as Spring Fling. Yet, acting unprofessionally with students may decrease the confidence of campus groups and outside parties to hold events and threaten a sense of community between the administration and students. The University should prioritize events like Moefest that make BU great and compliment its unique student body.