SPRING BALL: FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!
Will my dress arrive on time? Should I wear a tie, or a bow tie? These are the questions that half of the IE community is asking itself right now. However, for many students, the Student Government organised spring ball won't be as amazing this year.
This Friday (13th April), the Spring Ball will take place at El Cortijo de Monico in Madrid. Whilst the vast majority of people are attending the ball, the rest will be spending their night someplace else, perhaps wondering what could have been if they had been able to get their tickets on time.
This year, around 700 students will be attending the event, compared to last year where 1000 went. But why did the Student Government decide to decrease the quota of people allowed to attend? Considering the fact that there are more first years, and that tickets sold out in a 2-day sale period, the decision appears to have been somewhat illogical.
The two given reasons are the location and extra cost.
Finding a location with a capacity of more than 1000 students as well as the extra cost of getting 300 more tickets, are the two big issues that the Student Government had to deal with.
“It's unfortunate, but it's nearly impossible to organize a 2500 student event, or even anything larger than 1000 students,” stated the Student Government.
However, they are trying their best to provide opportunities for the ones who missed out by creating a waiting list. Also, they have tried to expand the accessibility after the dinner, with no success due to the Finca requiring a set number of guests, whether for the dinner or the open bar.
Despite the Student Government doing their best to organize a wonderful event, students without tickets are still unhappy. Groups of friends have been separated between the ones who got a ticket, and the ones who did not.
“I am watching my friend finding dresses, makeup etc. It's like I was missing my own prom,” explained Malaka Badr, a 1st year Communication student.
Others feel disappointed and demoralized.
“I feel excluded from my own school. [...] I am very sad,” stated Nahia Grégoire, 2nd year Communication student.
Many of them have insisted that this is unfair, and that the ball "should be open to everybody" since it is the ending time of the year, and students can all have fun together and create memorable relationships with people from both campuses.
Some are blaming the Student Government for not having organized the ball better, and someone even suggested creating two separate events for both campuses.
“Separate balls in Madrid and Segovia would have been a good alternative, ensuring that everyone would have had a chance to go,” suggested Olivia Corbae.
At the moment, many people are still complaining, however, some are trying to find solutions. Certain students, like Miss Gregoire, are planning their own "anti-parties" or other alternative events so that they too can enjoy their night.
Some students are still trying to find a way into the official ball, whilst others are beginning to accept that they will stay at home this 13th of April 2018.
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