Spring Fling coordinators offer value package to UA students

"We want more students to get involved, not just through their clubs, but also as patrons of Spring Fling," Keith Hanson, executive director of Spring Fling, said in a news release.

Elizabeth Millunchick, Spring Fling's marketing director, said this is the first year the carnival will offer a special "Student Pak" to make attending the event, which runs April 3 through 6, more economical for students.

The Student Paks will be sold at the Memorial and Park student unions. For $15, students can get admission, 20 "scrip" tickets for food and entertainment and two ride coupons at a savings of $7 off individual prices.

This is also the first year students will be able to use their Pocket Money debit accounts to pay for admission, scrip tickets and the new Student Paks, Millunchick said. She said students will also be able to use All Aboard at selected Spring Fling food booths.

She also said the layout of the Spring Fling field will be completely different this year. The main stage will be moved to the center of the carnival to give the area "a more customer friendly layout," Millunchick said.

The changes were made in an effort to "bring Spring Fling back to the students," she said.

Millunchick noted that 35,000 to 40,000 attend Spring Fling each year, but there are about 35,000 students attending the University of Arizona.

"We should be getting bigger numbers," she said. "Students help out the university and help out their fellow students when they come."

Last year, about 120 UA clubs and organizations earned $70,000 by running food, game and entertainment booths during Spring Fling, Millunchick said.

She said participating in Spring Fling is how many clubs make money each year. The organizations take home all of their profits, minus a small percentage Spring Fling collects for overhead costs, Millunchick said.

Clubs interested in participating in this year's event must send a representative to a mandatory meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in Harvill Building Room 150. Spring Fling officials will explain booth application procedures at the meeting, Millunchick said.

Applications will also be available next week for students interested in helping with business, security, communications and guest relations, she said.

The bands and entertainment scheduled for Spring Fling have not yet been disclosed pending contract stipulations, but Millunchick said that information should be released around Feb. 7.