Anticipation of a big turnout and security concerns at next Wednesday's Badger Blowout Concert have prompted some changes this week by the planners of the annual All-Campus Party.
A reserve-ticket policy was enacted along with a location change from the Memorial Union Terrace to the Field House attached to Camp Randall Stadium for the free concert. The show has been one of the most widely attended events in the six years of the ACP's existence.
However, with the signing of popular hip-hop artist Common, ACP's planners decided the original location at the Memorial Union Terrace could not accommodate the expected crowd, said Troy Vosseller, UW-Madison senior and ACP co-director.
The Terrace was also a cause for concern because of its open environment. Last year, Vosseller said, non-students would come when we had it at the Terrace. Now that we're talking about a Grammy-nominated hip hop artist, we wanted to make sure that it was just for students because we have a limited capacity.\
As a result, the concert will be at the Field House, which holds a capacity of 4,000. ""This way we'll be able to completely block off people who shouldn't be at the concert,"" said UW-Madison senior Anna Klasen, a member of ACP's student networking committee.
Due to the venue change, the event now requires tickets. In order to obtain a ticket, students, faculty and staff must now present their UW-Madison ID at the Memorial Union Box Office between Friday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 25.
According to UW-Madison senior Emilie Webber, ACP's public relations director, the ticket policy will guarantee students a seat.
Vosseller said location change and ticket policy would not affect overall turnout. ""Common has a very strong following, especially among college students,"" he said. ""If you're excited to see Common, you're going to come see him, regardless.""
Only one ticket is issued per ID, per person, which means if students want to sit with friends, all the friends must go to the box office together with their IDs.
""People who actually want to go to the concert will take the effort to get the tickets,"" Klasen said. ""Students will be able to have their own ticket, their own seat, and a guaranteed spot at the concert.""\
