Last week, ETSU students had the opportunity to make history by voting for the next artist to come to campus for the Spring 2024 SGA concert.
Artists on this semester’s ballot were from the country genre; students had the option of casting their vote for Gabby Barrett, Lee Brice, Jordan Davis, Jackson Dean, Brett Eldredge, Riley Green, Chris Janson, Elle King, Chris Lane, Dustin Lynch, Megan Maroney, Josh Turner, Morgan Wade or Brett Young.
SGA Secretary of Exterior Macy Strader takes the lead on organizing the concerts. Strader made the Fall SGA concert featuring Flo Rida, DOUBLECAMP and Graham Barham possible, and is excited to bring another series of major artists to the region.
“I hope it brings people together,” Strader said. “It’s a big event every year, a lot of people come, a lot of people have fun, so even if it’s not an artist that you voted for, or even if it’s not necessarily your favorite genre, it’s still cool that we get to do this.”
Strader said that deciding what artists end up on the ballot is a complicated process. SGA will work with the Department of Student Activities and Organizations, who research and compile a list of 10-12 artists who are from the selected genre and would be available for the concert date at a price within the budget.
From there, Strader and the rest of the Senate review the list and make suggestions of other artists possibly not considered previously, or eliminate artists entirely. After going back and forth, the list is finalized and distributed for students to cast their vote.
“I think it’s cool to have a say,” Strader said. “A lot of other schools don’t do the polling system.”
Director of Student Activities and Organizations, Carter Warden, also believes in the importance of allowing the student body to voice their opinions.
“The ETSU SGA is always concerned about the needs of the students on campus, and encouraging students to really get involved in campus life,” Warden stated in an email. “I think the benefit is that the students get to voice their opinions on who they would like to see in concert and therefore the event will draw more students and make the event more enjoyable.”
Strader also shared that a highlight of her position is getting to listen to feedback from students and work to implement the changes they want to see. One of the changes brought to this past vote was the polling system. Previously students were allowed three or more votes. Now, students are restricted to two votes.
“We’ve knocked it down to two to kind of get a clearer idea of what people want,” Strader said. “Because, contrary to popular belief, we do take the number one person, so we wanted them [to be] more clear.”
Strader also hints that other exciting things are in the works for future concerts, and that the ETSU community should stay tuned in to the SGA social media accounts for further details.
SGA concerts have been an ETSU tradition since 2005 with the performance of the band Everclear. The tradition is set to continue as polls for the Spring 2024 SGA concert closed Friday, Nov. 17.
Strader said that the headlining artist and opening acts should be revealed in a few weeks with an announcement on SGA’s social media: @etsusga.
