Robsham Performances to Start Later

In an effort to increase late-night programming, the University has implemented a 9 p.m. start time for single-day performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Robsham Theater and events in which student organizations partner with Nights on the Heights (NOTH) in an effort to increase late-night programming options.

"We are doing all that we can to increase late night offerings by organizations for students to increase activities on the Heights," said Karl Bell, assistant director of the Student Programs Office (SPO), which is administering the new policy.

Discussions about the possibility of a 9 p.m. start time began this summer, Bell said. Originally, the SPO considered urging a 9 p.m. start time for all performances, and received significant pushback.

"We communicated earlier in the semester with organizations around performances, and there was significant pushback against a 9 p.m. start time for all performances," Bell said. "There was concern about how students, staff, faculty, and parents supported events. A 9 p.m. start time, while it may work well for students, may not work as well for administrators and faculty."

After taking all feedback into account, it was decided that the start time would only be mandated for performances in Robsham that take place on a single day. Robsham is the largest campus venue for such performances, and where discussions began. Examples of events that will be affected by this include culture shows and this Saturday's Acappellafest. Speakers, however, do not fall under the "performance" category and will not be required to start at 9 p.m.

"The effect of a 9 p.m. start time is limited to Robsham, and this is where the conversation began," Bell said. "I'm not sure how this will go over with parents for culture shows, and we may rethink our consistency position for Robsham shows. We're going to see how it goes with Robsham this year."

Events that involve NOTH as a partner are also required to start after 9 p.m. This is a viable option for clubs and organizations because NOTH covers a portion of the cost that wouldn't be covered by the Student Organization Funding Committee, such as publicity, food, and possible police costs, Bell said.

"These groups understand that there are still lots of students who will come to this event," Bell said.

Bell said that some students have brought forth criticism that this will make it more difficult for students to party after the event. "I hope we don't get to a place where we adjust our start times for events according to student drinking," he said.

The new start time requirement was communicated to organizations as they came to Robsham to set up their events. Acappellafest hoped for a matinee, but for consistency's sake were not able to get an earlier start time.

"We're trying to be as consistent as we can be given the diversity of organizations at BC," Bell said.

In recent years, student programming has undergone various changes. For example, the Vanderslice Cabaret Room is no longer available for as much programming as it used to have. "This year, the Cabaret Room, which is a very popular spot for some organizations, is now used primarily as a study space," Bell said.

In addition, this is the second year of having a single person, Bell, responsible for advising events. Prior to that, there were five different advisers, which opened up the potential for different organizations getting different things depending on which faculty member they saw. By having a single adviser for such events, SPO is hoping to increase its consistency, but the process is still in its infancy.

"There are some growing pains," Bell said.