It takes copious amounts of hard work to get Ohio University ready for Homecoming. And lots of money.
It takes copious amounts of hard work to get Ohio University ready for Homecoming. And lots of money.
The Division of Student Affairs has a budget of $40,000 each year for Homecoming Week, according to records from the division. The funds come from the general fee students pay each year. The amount for Homecoming has hovered at about $40,000 for the last four years.
The general fee accounts for $1,256 of an undergraduate student’s fees each year. The pool of funds is divided between student affairs, athletics and other student-related initiatives.
The money allocated for Homecoming is used by the Campus Involvement Center to pay for the decorations in Baker University Center, the Homecoming Parade, events such as Deck Out Day, which took place Thursday night, and other expenses.
The Ohio University Alumni Association also spends quite a bit of money on Homecoming week. This year it has spent roughly $47,000 on the all of the program and activities it has planned, said Dawn Werry, director of external relations for the Alumni Association, in an email.
The Alumni Association’s Homecoming budget has increased dramatically during the last four years. Its Homecoming budget for the 2011-12 academic year was $23,575. The following year the budget was $34,950. Last year’s Homecoming celebration had a budget of $38,450, The Post reported last year.
The Alumni Association plans events throughout the week and weekend for students and returning alumni alike, such as the “Yell Like Hell” pep rally on Friday night at Pepsi Tailgreat Park.
Werry said the Alumni Association does make some gains from the events.
“In the past we have recouped a portion of that investment through program registrations and sponsorships,” she said.
The Alumni Association won’t know how much money it was able to earn back for a few weeks because it anticipates walk-ups and on-site registration for some of the events.
Similarly, Brian Heilmeier, assistant director for campus programs in the involvement center, said the center won’t know exactly how much money it spent until next week.
“Most of the bills aren’t in yet,” he said, adding that the involvement center plans and budgets well enough that it won’t go over its budget.
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