The status of this year’s Spring Fling concert is uncertain after the University decided to not sign a contract with the intended headliner, rapper Cam’ron, over security concerns.
“Today I was notified that they would not sign the contract on the grounds that there was no secure venue on campus large enough to hold the anticipated crowds,” said Social Committee Co-Chair Josh Scannell ’08.
Because the meeting took place so late in the day Thursday, no contacted University officials were able to comment.
“We’re highly disappointed, and it’s really not fair because we have a verbal agreement with this artist,” said Social Committee Co-Chair Marc Anderson ’07. “What is the school thinking? Cam’ron could turn around and sue them for breaking [the agreement].”
The Social Committee chooses and coordinates the lineup for the annual event, which will be held May 10. The group decided to not hold a Winter Carnival this year with the intention of devoting all funding to securing a well-known artist for Spring Fling.
“Cam’ron’s cost is about $15,000 more than we paid for [last year’s Spring Fling headliner] Cee-Lo,” Scannell said.
According to committee members, the University was worried that the anticipated popularity of the headliner could attract significant numbers of people from outside of the Wesleyan community. Because Foss Hill is an open space without controllable entrances, normal crowd control by Public Safety and Middletown Police would not be sufficient for a larger crowd.
“If they have concerns, fine,” said Anderson. “With any big act there will be [outside people] attending. In the same vein, it is absolutely inconsiderate to tell us this now. They should have said something last semester if there was a problem.”
According to Scannell, the University took issue with a clause in the Cam’ron contract that stated if the artist felt unsafe, he would not perform but would still expect payment.
“While it’s a legitimate concern of the University that Cam’ron might feel unsafe given the security on the hill, it’s unrealistic that he would want to develop a reputation as someone who flakes out at shows,” Scannell said.
The Social Committee held an emergency meeting late Thursday night to create an alternative plan for the event.
“We’re looking to swing to Plan B,” said Anderson. “We’re going to look for an act of similar caliber, and we’ll be meeting with administrators Friday. Should that plan fall through, we’ll have to look for smaller acts.”
The committee acknowledged that the short timeframe before the event would pose a challenge.
“It is impossible to get an act that is at all well-known in a months notice,” Scannell said. “Additionally, the decision to not approve Cam’ron’s contract implies that the University will prohibit well-known acts from playing Spring Fling in the future.”
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