The Student Union Board kicked off the year with two successful concerts and the announcement that Ben Folds is coming to campus in November, showing the effort of SUB director George Eveleth to change the negative reputation of an organization that garnered widespread criticism last year.
SUB, the SG Cabinet-level department responsible for bringing entertainment to campus through concerts, movies and comedians, has come under fire in past years for failing to bring more than one or two large acts to campus. SUB has a $170,000 budget for the 2006-2007 school year, accounting for over a quarter of the SG's total budget, The Eagle previously reported.
Last year, the initial Undergraduate Senate budget, proposed by former comptroller Zach Ulrich, would have cut the SUB budget by over $20,000 to reallocate those funds to organizations Ulrich found to be more fiscally responsible, although the final Senate budget reflected only a $4,000 cut, The Eagle reported last spring.
Last year's only big show was The Roots, which began the 2005-2006 school year under the direction of former SUB director Eric Friedlander, a 2006 College of Arts and Sciences graduate.
This year, Eveleth, a junior in the School of International Service and CAS, said he wants to work on bringing good entertainment to AU. Although his budget is the largest of SG departments, Eveleth said it takes a lot to put on a show.
"This sounds like a lot, but in the live music world it isn't," he said. "This money comes from the Student Activity fee that you see on your tuition bill."
Phantom Planet, who performed during Welcome Week, was SUB's first big act this year. Famous for their song "California," the band attracted a large number of students.
Maryam Riazian, a sophomore in the School of Communication, said that despite the technical difficulties, Phantom Planet was "amazing."
Last Thursday, SUB and WVAU teamed up to bring Ted Leo and the Pharmacists to the Tavern.
"I hope SUB and WVAU do more joint shows," Riazian said. "It really helped WVAU to be advertised. Also, with both groups working together, they can get bigger and better bands."
So far, the only other confirmed band for this year is Ben Folds. Tickets will be $5 with an AU ID.
"As of now, we do not have anyone lined up past Folds, but now that Ted Leo is over we will begin looking into acts for the spring," Eveleth said.
Sean Wagman, a sophomore in SPA who attended George Washington University's Fall Fest, an outdoor event that is part of the school's welcome week, said the SG should pool funds to put on big shows for free like GW.
"We pay enough money - I think that they can find it somewhere," he said.
SUB not only brings musical acts to campus, it also brings new movies to campus, usually every other week. These occur Tuesday nights in Ward 1.
"Even if we have not put on a concert in a while, we are still consistently providing entertainment to the student body," Eveleth said.
Looking toward the future, Eveleth said he is "planning on being more open on the workings of SUB than last year, although I still cannot announce a show until the contracts have been approved by the school."
Eagle Staff Writers Brian Kalish and Jess Reamy
contributed to this report.
