OC denies demanded event

     Otterbein students who are excited by the potential visit of Gregg Gillis–the man behind the moniker Girl Talk–may find themselves waiting for an arrival due to a lack of administrative support from the college. Recently, junior criminology major Tyler Harris has been investigating the possibility of Otterbein sponsoring an on-campus concert headlined by musical mash-up artist, Girl Talk. But after discussing the idea with Otterbein administrators, Harris was met with disparaging resistance. “When I first brought the idea up, I was told that it wouldn’t be possible,” Harris said.

     After talking with college officials about the idea of Otterbein housing a concert, Harris said “The biggest issue they have is where to have a concert this big, where budget is going to come from, and if there’s enough student interest.”

     Harris, however, has done his homework. He has started a group on Facebook, as well as begun a written petition, to demonstrate Otterbein students’ desire for such an event. “I hope to soon create a survey that can be sent to the entire campus that can measure students’ interest level, too,” Harris said.

     The Facebook group, Girl Talk at Otterbein, currently has around 400 members who have joined, and Harris’ petition has amassed around 250 signatures.

     Harris has also attempted to assess how much it would cost for Otterbein to sponsor an on-campus music concert by contacting local production companies, inquiring about the costs of private security, as well as discussing with administrators about on-campus venues that could house a potential concert of this size.

     Harris has also spoken with members of the Campus Programming Board about the idea of profits from ticket sales from the concert being donated to a charity organization. At this point, however, the project is at a standstill until Harris finds a way to pay for the costs a Girl Talk concert would incur.

    Regardless of the adversity that he’s met, Harris has endured, convinced that a music concert for Otterbein students would be a great social event for the campus.

     Although Otterbein sponsors social events where students can win prize money or gift cards such as ping-pong tournaments or the recent campus-wide Zombies vs. Humans, it seems to me that there is limited participation in such activities. Week after week, Otterbein students find themselves crowding off-campus houses in search for something social to do.

     This can be a bad habit, as these get-togethers can include dangerous practices such as drinking and drug usage.

     Right now, it seems unless you’re currently involved in an organization, it’s hard to find a sense of community or togetherness among your peers on Otterbein’s campus.

     While I understand the problems that plague a potential Otterbein-based concert, it’s pretty clear to me that our student body is demanding an event such as this. It’s clear that Otterbein officials want to give their students different social outlets as well and have sponsored small-scale events and campus organizations.

     But this is not enough. What Otterbein lacks amongst its student body is community. And the rare moments of community our campus does practice are often due to events that the college invests specific interest in.

     The idea of a Girl Talk concert at Otterbein would allow students to socialize in an Otterbein-sanctioned environment. From Harris’ social surveys alone it’s easy to see Otterbein students want Girl Talk here. Let’s just hope the college will get on board, too. t&c

COLE HAGUE IS A SENIOR BROADCASTING MAJOR AND STAFF WRITER FOR THE t&c.