ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, has postponed the planned February country concert until next academic year.
The announcement came at ASMSU’s first meeting last Thursday and alternative concert plans for this academic year are not viable because of the time it takes to plan and execute such a concert.
“The process of planning and hosting a concert from start to finish typically takes about five months,” ASMSU Director of Public Relations Ava Jacobs said. “If ASMSU were to open a new discussion, explore new options and pass a new bill today, we would not realistically be able to bring the concert to campus until at least June.”
Reasons for postponing the concert until next year include “limited talent availability ... and time constraints,” Jacobs said.
Aside from limited availability of talent and performers, new ASMSU elections in April and the subsequent leadership change in May poses time constraints for ASMSU to plan and host a new concert this year.
“Given the leadership transitions occurring in May, and the fact that many of our constituents would not be in town, holding a concert would not be a wise option for this academic year,” ASMSU President James Conwell said.
The concert was originally created to enhance relations with students and reinforce ASMSU’s name on campus, but the unfortunate postponement has left anxious students displeased and confused as to why the concert can’t happen.
“It sucks, they planned so long for it and now it’s canceled,” professional writing sophomore Taylor Downs said.
The $100,000 allocated to special projects for hosting the concert will remain in the special project’s account where it will be available for general assembly representatives to invest in other beneficial student events or projects.
Although the concert will not occur this academic year, ASMSU plans to resume discussion on the topic when representatives return in September next year.
“ASMSU’s future leadership will be provided with all of the feedback and information we have in order to discuss the possibility of having a concert next year,” Conwell said.
The postponement of the concert isn’t taken lightly by members of ASMSU who emphasize the importance of having a strong relationship with their constituent students.
ASMSU’s No. 1 priority is still representing students and ensuring they are serving them as best they can, Conwell said.
“Our goal at ASMSU for the concert is to ensure that our actions accurately reflect the will of the student body,” he said. “We do not believe, at this time, that a concert is the best way for ASMSU to serve students.”
There is now currently $100,000 waiting to be used at ASMSU, which means if students have a better idea on how to spend that money, ASMSU is listening.
