OU should not implement fee for fest-weekend guests
Fests and fees do not mix.
But a newly formed committee is thinking of doing exactly that by implementing a fee for on-campus Ohio University students who have guests during Spring Quarter.
The committee, comprising five residential housing employees and three students, is looking at four particular weekends: April 22, May 6, May 13 and May 20. During those weekends are High and Ark fests, Palmer Place Fest and Palmerfest, Oak and Mill fests, and 8Fest, respectively.
If the fee were implemented, Executive Director for Residential Housing Christine Sheets said the money would go toward educating students on facility preservation and practicing “safe fun.” But non-OU students are the most commonly cited for violations. It would be entirely nonsensical to educate OU students using non-OU students’ money.
And on the topic of facility preservation, it seems damage would most likely occur more if the fee were enacted. By charging guests, they would feel entitled to do damage. They do not go here, so it would not matter to them if they break a sink.
The university already charges on-campus students a $25 fee for guests during Halloween weekend, and the potential would add consistency on events impacting the residence hall system that aren’t hosted by OU. But Halloween is not comparable to the spring fests. They are completely different events with completely different atmospheres. Besides, OU should not even charge for Halloween.
Many visitors during spring do not even come down for the fests. Friends come visit because their semesters are finished. Siblings come to tour campus. It would be unfair to charge them when they are not coming to campus because of the fests.
After the Palmerfest near-riot two years ago, Ohio University is trying to distance itself from the spring fests. But by charging fest guests, OU would be doing the exact opposite.
Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Post’s executive editors.
