Boulevard Extortion

[RednBlue11]

For the 1st time I have heard of SMU is charging student organizations to have a spot on the Boulevard.

before I get into how much they are charging I want to ask, WHY?!?

Talk about a serious deterrent to us participating in the precious few important things that go on here on campus.

We don't have even a decent student center, the bands that come play here are washed up or get shut down inside of 30 min, and the few organizations that have the ability to entertain on the Boulevard are being extorted...W.T.F. IS GOING ON?

I can say that my fraternity WAS going to donate $3,000 to the Children's Miracle Network this fall...no more.

All the Greeks already pay thousands to feed and entertain students. When is SMU going to get it? They keep squeezing the Greeks for cash and the Boulevard is going to suck for students. When it sucks for the students, they don't come back as Alumni.

So here's to one more notch on their belt of nonsense.

For the record, I appreciate each and everyone of you Alumni who have paid to have a spot on the Boulevard.

[NickSMU17]

When I was there, the greeks paid for boulevard spot...

Didn't know this was a big deal...

Have another philanthropy fundraiser and stop whining...

I know what the social budgets are for most SMU greeks and you can afford it...

[RednBlue11]

When I was there, the greeks paid for boulevard spot...

Didn't know this was a big deal...

Have another philanthropy fundraiser and stop whining...

I know what the social budgets are for most SMU greeks and you can afford it...

SMU Greeks don't do philanthropy well...and what I mean about that is they rarely go in the black by much at all.

[abezontar]

But I thought the greek orgs were "philanthropy" organizations...

[PonyKai]

But I thought the greek orgs were "philanthropy" organizations...

We are social organizations. We are not service fraternities. We do take up causes, however.

[NickSMU17]

You will get no sympathy from me...

I know what the budgets are and if you are going into the red, you need a new accountant...

The Boulevard is a privilege, not a right...

I agree the school is squeezing the Greek system, but be creative and figure out ways to get around it...

[White Helmet]

You could forego the BLVD and donate all that money to The Children's Miracle Network

[abezontar]

I guess the real question is, who is SMU not trying to squeeze money out of?

[SMUPhil]

White helmet's idea sounds fair to me. Anyone can enjoy the BLVD for free, but no one is entitled to a dedicated spot.

This is like when the students assumed they had free tickets to games, (which they essentially do...but you have to pick them up before the game) and threw a fit at the gate when their student ID card wasn't valid admission to a sold out/standing-room-only game vs Tech.

[ponyphi07]

Clearly you joined the wrong fraternity.....

[BalonyPony]

Maybe if you Greeks actually showed up and stayed throughout the entire game I'd have a small amount of sympathy. In case you haven't noticed, we have a pretty good team.

[GeorgiaMustang]

Charging Greeks for a tailgate spot is nothing new. Quit whining. The only complaint I had when we had our tailgates by Dallas hall was that they always put the visitor alumni tent next to the greek tents. I remember being at the tailgate when we hosted North Texas a couple of years ago and an official from UNT asking us to turn off the music we had playing so that their band could play the UNT fight song for their Alums. Really? It was also annoying when you always had people in the opponents colors trying to mooch free beer from the tailgates and not understanding why we weren't exactly pumped about them being there.

[stc9]

For the 1st time I have heard of SMU is charging student organizations to have a spot on the Boulevard.

before I get into how much they are charging I want to ask, WHY?!?

Talk about a serious deterrent to us participating in the precious few important things that go on here on campus.

We don't have even a decent student center, the bands that come play here are washed up or get shut down inside of 30 min, and the few organizations that have the ability to entertain on the Boulevard are being extorted...W.T.F. IS GOING ON?

I can say that my fraternity WAS going to donate $3,000 to the Children's Miracle Network this fall...no more.

All the Greeks already pay thousands to feed and entertain students. When is SMU going to get it? They keep squeezing the Greeks for cash and the Boulevard is going to suck for students. When it sucks for the students, they don't come back as Alumni.

So here's to one more notch on their belt of nonsense.

For the record, I appreciate each and everyone of you Alumni who have paid to have a spot on the Boulevard.

How much are they charging you? I can understand you being pissed off, but how much money are you speaking about?

If you are annoyed now, wait until you are an alumni. They only time the school will communicate with you is when they are asking for money - phone calls, e-mails and letters.

[peruna11]

Now, now... let's keep this positive.

I'll cut a check to your house for $50 if you can get the students to fill 4 sections (for the whole game). If it looks close, benefit of the doubt goes to CMN.

Any other takers?

[CalallenStang]

Charging Greeks for a tailgate spot is nothing new. Quit whining. The only complaint I had when we had our tailgates by Dallas hall was that they always put the visitor alumni tent next to the greek tents. I remember being at the tailgate when we hosted North Texas a couple of years ago and an official from UNT asking us to turn off the music we had playing so that their band could play the UNT fight song for their Alums. Really? It was also annoying when you always had people in the opponents colors trying to mooch free beer from the tailgates and not understanding why we weren't exactly pumped about them being there.

You should have told the UNT people that if their huge band can't play louder than a stereo system, they need to find a few new musicians.