Undergraduate Student Government representatives hope a resolution regarding future Carbondale festivals will result in increased student involvement, specifically Registered Student Organization co-sponsorship of the event.

USG President Dave Vingren said the resolution was drafted after the success of September’s First Cellular Main Street Pig Out, which attracted nearly 10,000 people over a two-day period.

Vingren said the resolution was drafted by Heather Cabri and Jackie Smith, both of whom were very involved in volunteering for the event. Both Cabri and Smith believed that the festival was a successful event and that it would be beneficial to sponsor it.

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This year RSO’s could not sponsor the event but could participate as individuals.

Vingren said the resolution, which was passed at the Oct. 1 USG meeting, was distributed to members of the administration late last week.

I haven’t gotten any definitive answers yet as to what policy will be for RSO involvement next year, Vingren said.

Harvey Welch, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said although he has not yet read the resolution, he supports involvement next year.

We said at the first one we wouldn’t be involved, he said, but if things went well we’d look into it.

Welch said he does not know exactly what type of involvement there could be.

I don’t know if that means sponsorship or what, he said. My recommendation is that we do become involved next year and take it as it unfurls.

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Welch said he thinks many RSOs would be willing to be involved with future festivals.

The festival Sept. 26 and 27 featured a barbecue cooking contest, non-alcoholic drink contest, live music, children’s events and a beer tent.

Cabri, a sophomore in administration of justice from Lake Bluff and USG senator from Brush Towers, said although the University did not sponsor the event, it should consider future involvement.

I understand why they didn’t want to (get involved), because if something bad happened they would get a bad reputation, she said. But since nothing bad happened, they have no reason not to help out next year.

Cabri said the positive student involvement at this year’s festival should show that students and the city can work together.

This year a lot of students did participate, and that was good, she said, because it showed the administration that they (students) could work together with the city to make it (the Pig Out) a success.

Vingren said he and Tim Hoerman, Graduate and Professional Student Council president, had the impression that a successful festival this year would result in future student and University involvement.

We’re sure the administration will live up to their word, he said.

Vingren said he presented the resolution at last week’s Carbondale City council meeting as part of his USG duties.

It’s my job. The legislation passes, I sign it and pass it on to the people that it will interest, so they know where USG stands, Vingren said. Otherwise the resolution would be pointless.