ASUA is collecting the seeds this fall to make the largest student-run carnival in the country bloom this spring.

Spring Fling directors are accepting applications for volunteer positions under the six organizational umbrellas that govern the carnival.

"ASUA wants to get as many students involved as early as possible," said Keith Henson, executive director of Spring Fling. Henson has been planning for the event in May.

"Spring Fling does not just fall together in four days - we work on it year round," he said.

Spring Fling - in its 23rd year - operates on a $190,000 annual budget and has a volunteer staff of 3,000 students.

Gail Tanner, accountant for the Associated Students, said Spring Fling spent $10,800 more than was brought in by revenues last year. ASUA used funds from their budget to pay off the debt.

Henson, who is in his fifth year working with Spring Fling, said bad weather, along with the carnival falling on a holiday weekend, really hurt Spring Fling revenues.

Tanner said the debt was also a result of trying new things at the carnival that did not work out as well as were hoped. Private entertainers and a laser light show were offered at last year's carnival.

"The laser light show was not as spectacular as we wanted it to be and did not draw the crowd we expected it to," Henson said. The laser show will not appear at this year's Spring Fling.

This year, Spring Fling is working on cutting down its overhead and bringing up revenues, Henson said.

The booths staff is hiring six leadership positions that will assist the booth director in coordinating the more than 100 booths operated by students at the carnival.

Last year, booths generated $73,144 in revenue. The clubs and organizations who operate the booths retain 89 percent of their profits which are used to help fund their activities over the next year. ASUA keeps the other 11 percent to cover operating costs.

The business staff is hiring four students to oversee the distribution and collection of tickets and money.

Included in this staff are four positions for those interested in the field operations of Spring Fling, which includes recruiting and training the volunteer staff as well as recording the Spring Fling attendance.

On the business staff four accountants are also needed.

The marketing staff is hiring a general staff of six students to promote the event and create and publish the carnival guide.

"I have gained more hands on experience with Spring Fling than with anything else I have worked on because this is a business," said Elizabeth Millunchick, director of marketing.

Jennifer Watson, Spring Fling assistant director, echoed the sentiment and added, "You can't learn this kind of stuff in a classroom."

Six leadership position are also available within the security staff. These staff members will oversee the recruiting and training of the more than 300 security volunteers.

The procurement staff is hiring four students to organize the supplies and safety needs of the carnival. They also manage the sale of Spring Fling merchandise.

The Physical Resources staff has four leadership positions available. This staff organizes the planning of the field design and the general maintenance of the carnival grounds.

"We are working on making the layout more customer friendly," Henson said. "The main goal though is to bring student attendance back to Spring Fling."

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