The Student Government Assembly increased its Violet 100 budget by around $37,000 this year, raising funds spent on the spirit week to around $335,000. More than half of the budget for the event has been allocated toward the Violet Ball, an annual gala that hosts about 1,000 students each year.
Every academic year, the student government receives an operating budget of around $500,000 from NYU, which it puts toward conference funding, stipends and programming. The SGA divides its budget for Violet 100 so that 55% of it is used to fund the Violet Ball, 21% for the V100 Concert, 12% for All-University Games, 11% for tabling and merchandise and 1% for creating community service opportunities for students, according to SGA chair Ryan Carney.
Cecilia Gutierrez, the director of NYU’s Program Board — a student-run organization that aims to provide affordable events for the NYU community — said the board funds around 30-50% of the V100 Concert. Gutierrez the board could not disclose specific numbers regarding its finances.
This year, the SGA moved the Violet Ball from Bobst Library to Chelsea’s Pier 60, following renovations to the library. The change in location caused the budget for the ball to increase from $135,000 to nearly $185,000 this year, according to Carney. The new venue, with its increased capacity and insurance costs due to its proximity to water, played a significant role in the budget increase, according to a former SGA officer who requested to remain anonymous.
“We have the same type of merch and the same type of events and service events,” the former officer said. “So the fact that the Bobst to Chelsea Piers switch was almost $40,000, that seems like a steep amount, especially if students are still paying for it.”
Despite the overall increase in spending, other parts of Violet 100 dipped in cost this year. The budget for the V100 Concert saw a significant decrease from $125,000 to $70,000. The concert — which the Program Board helps host — will take place at Terminal 5 on March 2, with singers JPEGMAFIA and Kelela performing.
Carney said the SGA also allocated extra funds toward merchandise and tabling this year, spending over $36,000 to advertise and foster heightened anticipation throughout the week.
Gallatin senior Sophie Roth said she was unfamiliar with Violet 100, and that she thought the funds might be more helpful to students if used elsewhere.
“It’s trying to keep up a look rather than be something that’s impactful, that’s a lot of money to be spending on something that’s just an embellishment,” Roth said. “You can kind of see where they put their priorities when you look at the numbers.”
Aashna Miharia contributed reporting.
Contact Dharma Niles at [email protected].
