By Travis DeNeal 12

SIUC should help sponsor a spring festival that will bring the University and the city together, much like a festival this fall, an Undergraduate Student Government resolution that faces USG tonight states.

The resolution, co-written by USG Chief of Staff Jackie Smith and City Affairs Commissioner Steve Dunker, cites the success of September’s First Cellular’s Main Street Pig Out as evidence that a similar spring event should be created and co-sponsored by SIUC.

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What we’re looking at is something similar to the Pig Out where the community and the University can come together and interact, Dunker said.

However, Chancellor Donald Beggs said SIUC’s role in such an event is uncertain.

I have no problem with trying to cooperate with a spring event similar to the Main Street Pig Out, Beggs said. But the term sponsorship’ may pose a problem for the University.

I’ve asked for a legal opinion of what the word sponsorship’ means.

If sponsorship means lending a helping hand to such an event, the University likely would not be liable if a festival-goer was injured. If sponsorship means financial contributions to help fund the proposed event, SIUC might assume some liability.

Until 1992, SIUC had its annual Springfest, an on-campus, music-filled, bring-your-own-beer event. The University canceled Springfest after the 1991 event, in which crowd members watching a band began to pelt others with beer cans.

From 1993 to 1995, SIUC sponsored the Dawg Days of Spring, which was supposed to be the non-alcoholic equivalent of Springfest. The event was canceled in 1996 because of a lack of participation.

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Andrew Daly, a Student Programming Council member who is working to help develop the spring festival, said it is too soon to determine any spring event details.

We’re looking at our options, like doing the event with city businesses, on or off campus and with or without alcohol, Daly said. We should have something definite by Dec. 2.

Joel Fritzler, program manager of Carbondale Main Street, also said planning for the event has begun, but no details are set.

We’re still tossing things like dates around, he said.

Even though the University’s position is unclear and planning is tentative, USG President Dave Vingren said he will sign the resolution if it passes.

It’s a very positive resolution that reflects the success of the Pig Out, Vingren said. I think together we can put on a great spring event.

USG meets at 7 tonight in Student Center Ballroom B.