Less students are registering for the 11th-annual Arizona Collegiate Leadership Conference this year, after the inability to raise funds and land the usual sponsorships drove the price of the event up to $60.
The price rose from $25 to $60, resulting in only about 200 registered participants so far this year, compared to over 600 people who attended last year.
Corey Seemiller, conference adviser, said the conference was counting on funding that did not come through. The high cost of organizing the conference and its events have also contributed to the significant price increase, he said.
"The actual price of the conference is $150-175 per student, and our office subsidizes the rest," Seemiller said. "We are still covering about $90 of the cost."
Terry Thompson, senior coordinator for leadership development, said members of Arizona's Blue Chip Program make up 50 to 60 percent of attendees of the ACLC.
"We don't make it mandatory for Blue Chip members to attend, so I'm sure the price increase will have a negative effect on attendance rates," Thompson said.
The full effects of the price increase will not be seen until after the conference, Thompson said.
"It's been a rough year all around the UA for budgets," he said.
Meghan Holmes, a business freshman, said she would consider attending the conference if it was cheaper.
"I don't have 60 extra dollars for that right now," she said.
The emphasis on student leadership and peer interaction are things unique to the conference that make it worth attending, said Greg Billings, MIS senior.
"The price increase should not affect attendance, because last year really set a precedent for involvement and attendance in general," Billings said.
Gina LaCassa, a communication freshman, said the price seems fair for a three-day leadership conference.
"It's not a lot to ask if you do a lot of stuff. Then it's worth it," she said.
The three-day conference consists of a wide variety of events including workshops, inspirational speakers, a hypnotist, live bands, community service events and networking functions.
Students will be able to attend workshops such as "Hip-hop as a tool for social transformation," and "Can birth order affect leadership?"
Live bands such as Is to Feel, and Camp Courageous, will be playing all the way through midnight, said Jessie Singer, conference co-chair.
"It's a great opportunity to meet people and learn about yourself and what leadership means to you," Singer said.
The conference is being held Feb. 20 - 22 in the Student Union Memorial Center, and is not limited to UA students only.
"We are definitely encouraging more people to go," said Jessica Malone, external relations chair. "But it's hard for students with limited budgets to decide what to spend their money on."
Deanna Konst, a pre-business junior, said the conference is worth attending despite the higher price.
"The price increase makes you think twice, but it seems like it's worth going," Konst said.
Students from all over the Southwest will be attending, Malone said.
"The conference has been such a success that we have students from schools such as SDSU, from colleges all over Arizona, and even international students," Malone said.
The $60 fee will include all conference events, a T-shirt, binder, three meals on Saturday and a Sunday brunch.
Students who are interested in attending the conference can pick up a paper application at the Center for Student Involvement & Leadership, or go on their Web site: union.arizona.edu/csil/aclc.