Nestled in-between the speeches introducing freshmen to their respective majors and a massive pep rally reinforcing the importance of being a Spartan is a major headlining musical act hitting campus during Welcome Week.

ASMSU recently added a concert to the onslaught of Welcome Week 2004 activities, featuring Jason Mraz at 9 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Wharton Center's Great Hall. General admission tickets are $15 and go on sale to the public this Friday.

"Once Party at the Aud is over, it gives students a chance to go party off campus," said Kristen Daddow, vice-chair for student programming for ASMSU. "The concert gives incentive for them to stay on campus because it's starting later. We tried to schedule the concert to cater to the student interest as much as possible."

As part of the concert's promotion toward freshmen, Daddow said ASMSU plans to send out information with the rest of the Welcome Week packets mailed home, as well as set up tables and tents on campus advertising the concert during the week.

"I'm very optimistic about the ticket sales," Daddow said. "We're going to make sure everyone knows it's going on. We'll be in their face all week."

The concert is expected to cost up to $50,000, which Daddow said should be made up in ticket sales.

The idea for the concert stems from a proposed bill back in March that fell through. Originally, ASMSU wanted to hold a concert at Breslin Center but chose Wharton because it's cheaper, Daddow said.

Students have a variety of activities to choose from that night as the University Activities Board is also sponsoring an event called Spartan All-Stars. Student Life puts together the Welcome Week schedule of events, which features several different university departments and organizations.

"Fall welcome is a university-wide event," said John Jobson, assistant director of Student Life. "ASMSU is involved. UAB has evening activities. Not to mention, the Office of the Provost, the Alumni Association and Residence Life are a part of the week.

"The concert is just a nice addition to the whole program."

Apparel and textile design sophomore Susan Thomas said she would have attended a concert had it been available during Welcome Week her freshman year.

"I'd probably be more likely to go to it because I'm not the party type," Thomas said.