What was supposed to be the MSU’s historically largest Sparticipation was in full swing — students were eating their cookout dinners, obtaining swag from registered student organizations, or RSOs, on campus and music was blaring from the center of Cherry Lane field.
Less than half an hour after the much anticipated event began, it was cancelled. Students were rapidly evacuated to Wonders Hall across the street.
“This kind of thing happens instantaneously,” ASMSU business manager Erik Maillard said. “We get a call from police about safety, and we have to shut it down.”
Reportedly, thunderbolts had been spotted by MSUPD less than ten miles away from MSU. This is an issue, said Assistant Director for Student Life Fred Watson because of all the tents—whose tops are metal and aluminum—that heavily populate Cherry Lane field during the event.
"Get to shelter, get to safety, lighting spotted nearby," officials evacuating MSU Sparticipation. @thesnews pic.twitter.com/hjzc6rrva9
— Alexea Hankin (@AtomicAlexea) August 30, 2016
“You know, we spend so much time on this particular event,” Maillard said. “We’d never want to shut it down, especially considering how long we personally invest into planning it.”
Malliard and Watson confirmed that this Sparticipation has been in the works since January of 2016, and because of the busy nature of the fall semester, they cannot confirm that the event will be rescheduled at all.
MSU RSOs trying to quickly pack up and leave as the first raindrops fall at canceled Sparticipation. @thesnews pic.twitter.com/iO0CKqOt6e
— Alexea Hankin (@AtomicAlexea) August 30, 2016
“We’re going to have to put our heads together and revisit what efforts can be done,” Maillard said. “We definitely want to let students know about as many RSOs as possible.”
Tammye Coles, associate director of student life, said that she’s just glad students got a taste of the event at all.
“While I am disappointed that the event was canceled, I hope that students will see that the event was to welcome new students to campus,” Coles said. “To provide them with a little information about RSOs. One of the things we always want students to do is to seek out opportunities that make them a better Spartan, and we’ll have more events coming up to do that.”
Electrical technology sophomore Isaac Edikauskas, vice president of Young Americans for Liberty, was walking along Shaw Lane while rolling around a huge beach ball, titled the “Free Speech Ball.”
Young Americans For Liberty Vice President Isaac Edikauskas at MSU won't let the cancellation stop him. @thesnews pic.twitter.com/8VeO06ZD0k
— Alexea Hankin (@AtomicAlexea) August 30, 2016
“I figured I could do this even though the event was technically cancelled,” Ediskauskas said. “And we’re still getting a ton of sign-ups. So it’s all working out.”
As more information about the rescheduling of Sparticipation comes out, stayed tuned at The State News for updates.
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