By Jackie Delaney Production Manager
The College Union Board presented for a string of shows for the upcoming spring semester at the Student Finance Board’s Wednesday, Nov. 18, meeting.
The board allocated $30,096 for CUB’s Welcome Back Comedy Show — a change from the Welcome Back Lecture typically offered by CUB in the spring semester. The group said it made a “conscious decision” to change to a comedy show this year because of rising popularity for CUB comedy shows and “humorous lectures,” according to the information packet.
CUB is hoping to bring Thomas Middleditch, Ben Schwartz or Ross Matthews to campus for the event. Middleditch, a Canadian actor, comedian and television writer, is best known for his role as Richard Hendricks on HBO’s “Silicon Valley.”
Actor, comedian and writer Ben Schwartz is known for his role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” as well as Showtime’s “House of Lies.” CUB said it has the option for Schwartz to perform a traditional comedy show or for him to perform improv comedy with his acclaimed troupe “Snowpants.”
Ross Matthews is an American television personality who has starred on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” as well as “Celebrity Fit Club” and “Chelsea Lately.”
The comedy show is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 27, Saturday, Jan. 30, or Sunday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. in Kendall Hall Main Stage. CUB hopes to host the event to “celebrate students’ arrival at TCNJ after Winter Break,” the information packet said.
CUB was allocated $37,435 for the Welcome Back Concert, which aims to provide “a fun and entertaining environment to students upon arrival for the spring,” according to the information packet.
Possible talent for the concert is rapper Waka Flocka Flame, R&B/hip-hop singer/songwriter Kehlani or rapper Danny Brown.
The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, or Sunday, Jan. 31, at 8 p.m. on the Kendall Hall Main Stage.
CUB’s request for $2,740 for its 2016 Super Bowl Celebration was fully funded by the board. The group traditionally holds the event for students to watch the game as well as “enjoy a photobooth, desirable raffles and delicious food,” the information packet said. The request included funding for pizza, wings and a variety of raffle prizes, including gift cards and football fan apparel.
The event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 5 p.m. in the Lion’s Den.
CUB was funded $219,143 for the Spring Concert, its annual large-scale event that attracts a large portion of the student body every year.
CUB’s top picks for the concert include Jason Derulo, Fetty Wap, Chance the Rapper, Kid Cudi or The Chainsmokers.
“We aim to make this concert one of our largest and most high-energy events of the year,” CUB wrote in the information packet. CUB said it aimed to present a show that offers a range of genres, arranging a concert that a large portion of students would be interested in. The concert is scheduled for April 2016.
Lastly, CUB was allocated $55,596 for the annual Spring Comedy Show. The top choice headliner is Bo Burnham, the well-known comedian and singer/songwriter who gained popularity from his YouTube videos. CUB’s second choice headliner is comedian and actor Chris D’Elia, who currently stars in NBC’s “Undateable.” CUB also cited comedian, actor and author B.J. Novak as an option. Novak has written for and starred in “The Office.”
Openers for the show are still to be determined, as well as the date, according to the information packet.
The TCNJ Treblemakers received $313 for its annual Winter Concert to be held on Saturday, Dec. 5. The event, which is open to the campus community and the public, will showcase the music the group has “arranged and learned over the course of the fall semester,” the information packet said.
The request included funding to book Mayo Concert Hall, which includes expenses for student staff, ushers and Mayo Hall supplies. These supplies include microphone and sound system fees, according to the Treblemakers. The concert, which is free, will run from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
I-Tunes A Cappella was allocated $361 for its Winter Concert, which aims to “provide students with cultural music from around the world performed using a cappella arrangements,” according to the group’s information packet.
“We like to try and give music from around to the world to students,” said I-Tunes member Cameron Schiff, a senior accounting major. The multicultural a cappella group said that it hopes the concert can provide stress relief for students before finals. It will be held in Mayo Concert Hall on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Leadership Development Program (LDP) was partially funded $1,309.89 for Leadership Lock-Up, an annual event that includes workshops, presentations and group activities to build communication, team building and cooperation skills. The event, which is in its 12th year now, is traditionally “attended by all sorts of organizations such as CUB, Greek Life and many other student leaders,” according to Jackie Kaletski, a member of LDP.
The board discussed the requested funding, $4,700, for the guest speaker, Tyson Wooters. Wooters, a mascot for the University of Oregon and motivational speaker, was selected by LDP because of his engaging nature.
“When we were looking for a speaker, we didn’t want someone who would just talk to an audience… we wanted someone who would engage and really pass on these lessons,” Kaletski said.
The board was torn on the funding of Wooters. Some members felt the price was not justified for a speaker that may not be well-known, while others argued that the guest speaker was not a draw for the event.
The board fully funded the event except for the speaker, tabling the request and asking LDP to return with three speaker quotes for comparison.
Leadership Lock-Up is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Business Building Lounge. Students who participate are allowed to move in a day early, since the event takes place before the spring semester begins, according to LDP.
*Even though SFB agrees to finance certain events, there is no guarantee these events will take place. The approval only makes the funds available.
