Balliol Summer Event In Financial Crisis
Balliol’s Summer Event has again been marred by rumours of management problems and poor ticket sales. The news will be a blow to organsiers, after an independent investigation criticised the handling of last year’s Ball, which was left with an £8,000 shortfall following similar problems. An ‘opt-out’ system is supposed to ensure ticket sales by automatically battelling all JCR members for their £35 ticket unless they stated otherwise.
This system was not implemented this year because of a clerical error by college accountants. The College’s Domestic Bursar refused to comment on the error. Balliol students are now being asked to pay the money in addition to their battels. Ball Treasurer Dan Simpson refused to comment on whether the glitch had affected ticket sales. “The deadline for battels has not yet arrived, so we are unable to give precise numbers.
We expect no problems though, and there is no reason to think it will be low.” Last year the college’s JCR lost money after a shortfall of around 150 ticket sales, which the JCR blamed on the College insisting that tickets were only sold to Balliol students and their guests. Lack of sponsorship compounded financial problems. An independent investigation was ordered into the causes of the problems, however this year’s Summer Event Committee has faced more problems.
Organisers were also rocked by the resignation of Committee President Helen Bagshawe last term. Bagshawe says this was simply due to other commitments. JCR Entz rep Steve Matthews acknowledged some students might be reluctant to pay the money. “I can appreciate people would think like that,” he said.
28th Apr 2005