Last year, more than 6,000 students turned out for the first-ever Late Nite Carnival, that's about one-third of Ball State's student population. This year, the event's turnout took a steep dive to around 2,000 people -- just one-third of last year's total attendance.
There's no one in particular to blame for the low numbers, though. In retrospect, the event does not do justice to the board's work this year. After all, it doesn't take a meteorologist to tell you, it was mostly on the account of Mother Nature and not the University Program Board.
This weekend saw unseasonable weather patterns throughout the Midwest, including brief periods of light snow and 30 and 40 degree temperatures. Without a doubt, these are not the most pleasant or encouraging conditions to hold a large outdoor event -- say, a carnival -- in.
It's sad to see UPB's year end on such a disappointing note. Thanks to the success of last year's carnival, this year's event had more hype than a Saturday-afternoon football game. Though attendance was nowhere near what the board expected (10,000 people), it wasn't a matter of the publicity or popularity of the event, just merely the comfort of its participants.
One event, despite its size, shouldn't reflect on UPBs efforts, though. Looking back over the year, many of those same students who were expected to attend Friday night have been able to enjoy a large number of UPB-sponsored events and Late Nite programs since the start of the year. Due to UPB's past success and the university's efforts to curb drinking-related events, BSU announced last fall that it had increased the funding for Late Nite activities. The extra money allowed UPB to host more than 20 Late Nite events, almost double last year's total of 11.
That's quite an accomplishment for UPB, after its funding was in question at the beginning of this calendar year. Despite a typically apathetic student body, UPB's programs have been greeted with much praise and participation by thousands of students throughout the school year. We just hope that, despite one dismal event, the university and other sponsors continue supporting this alternative programming.
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