A number of University of York students have expressed their frustrations with issues concerning this year’s Summer Ball, with logistical issues such as the long entrance queues and particularly the price of the event receiving criticism.
Students noted that although they experienced an enjoyable night, the event was let down by factors such as the expensive drinks prices and hefty ticket expense. One student described these costs as “ludicrous and extortionate”, and added that “the expense affected what was an otherwise excellent night.”
Chemistry PhD student Rob Smith told Vision: “The Summer Ball was good, but I thought it was a bit pricey. The food was a damn good portion and I needed to beach afterwards, but it probably could have done with some free wine on the tables for that price really.”
Third-year Meg Phillips reiterated such sentiments, saying: “I paid £65 to go to the meal but instead of a champagne reception – as advertised – it was Pimm’s, and at the meal no wine was provided, which hadn’t been explicit and seemed ridiculous considering the price.”
She added: “It was definitely a really great evening, but I was a little disappointed about some things. For example on the way to the racecourse one of the buses broke down so those who were on it ended up getting taxis and arrived an hour and a half after the first buses, despite free transport being included.”
In response to the criticisms, YUSU President Kallum Taylor told Vision: “Overall I think it was a quality night. We avoided raising the cost on last year, and also increased the amount of discounted tickets available for students… And certainly the highest ever turnout for the YUSU Event says that were getting better and better at putting on large scale events.
“However, the criticisms made by some students are certainly noted – we completely appreciate how sensitive students will be when it comes to big-cost events. We’ll take it all on board to improve our game next time.”
Other logistical problems also hampered the event, such as the closure of the funfair at an earlier time than advertised, the absence of a proposed chocolate-fountain, and the fact that the free candyfloss ran out early in the night.
On that matter, a second-year history student commented: “I was disappointed that the funfair closed early, as it meant I couldn’t go on the dodgems. Overall I had a fantastic night, but it was very expensive.”
The choice of headline act also drew criticism from some areas, and second year history student Charlie Boyd said: “Tinchy Stryder especially was hardly an exciting act to watch. Maybe in the future the student union could spend more money getting higher profile acts to perform.”
Third-year Biology student Gareth Purvis reiterated the message, remarking: “Tinchy was terrible. The Futureheads were amazing though…. loved them!! The fun fair made for some awesome drunken moments, and overall it was a memorable night, not great value for money though!!”
Despite the criticisms, the evening was enjoyed by the majority of students, and third-year Psychology student Gem Luckman told Vision: “It was a wonderful evening. The rides were fun and bumper cars definitely brought out the aggression hidden in all of us, but all in good fun. This year the line up of music really excelled, being topped off by a great performance by Tinchy.”
Meanwhile Student Activities Officer Chris West added: “Everyone I spoke to seemed to be enjoying the night and it all ran extremely smoothly. I had a brilliant time last year, but if anything this year’s was even better.”
It was great until I threw up over myself on one of the rides… Plus Tynchy is fuc*ing small and had to go on my girlfriends shoulders to get to see him. The prizes on the rides explained a lot of the ticket price though, they were clearly very expensive, particularly the whistle.
Dunno why you’z is all having issues. Incy Spider or whatever his name be, he tore the stage apart, and by that I mean he had mad fresh phrases and rhymes. I remembered an example…
“My name is incy spider, I gives you wine and cider,
So I can climb inside ya, I likes candy floss and bumper cars,
Smacking dat ass and humpin’ bra’s”
I fought he was class. I was upset at the lack of the horses though, i mean, i aint never been to no racecourse and dis was nothing like I had been told. They were right about one ting tho, everyone was dressin’ white, even me. I got sick on one of the rides and threw up on a small fella beneath but he didn’t seem to mind cos it landed in his hair, which looked like he had already been sick in it a few times that night anyway. I liked sitting on the steps and watching girls, biding my time innit. Next year I iz gonna speak to one.
Anyways, me and incy spider went to reflex after and ending up sharing this woman from selby called sharon, and she was nice in a motherly kind of way, and when I say that I mean that she had four kids. Great night.
Peace out, R. Nuhu (anon)
“And certainly the highest ever turnout for the YUSU Event says that were getting better and better at putting on large scale events.”
Can you provide previous sales numbers to qualify this statement? How many students attended dinner and how many just the after-dinner part?
Just so there is no misunderstanding on my part.
Am I right in thinking that your sensationalist headline actually reflects the views of a handful of students?
With over 2500 people attending (Summer Ball) any event, in any place at any time in the world and for any price there will always be a small minority that voice their displeasure at certain aspects of their experience.
In no way does it mean that we try to censure their views but Vision please at least try to reflect that in your headlines.
Its the standard end of term OTT fayre from a campus paper that has lost touch with its readers and has not so much scrapped the bottom of the barrel but more so come out in Alice Springs.
Bloody hell the university can’t win can they? Was there not an article recently moaning about the amount of money the university spends? Since I doubt £60 per person would cover the cost of champers for everyone (I doubt they’d be happy with Sainsbury’s own…) plus everything else
My school summer ball cost around the same price and that only included the venue, 3 course meal and dj.
I know it’s easy to portray students as being cheap but come on… I bet a minority were offended by the price
The comments raised regarding the dinner/wine were actually the majority and annoyed most who attended it. There probably wouldn’t have been an issue with the drinks reception if the advertising was accurate. Also note how most the students quoted above still expressed how much they did enjoy the evening; it’s not all negative.
In all honesty. BIG D was far better than summer ball…and that was run by a JCRC. If that doesnt show up summer ball (run by staff and officers) then i dont know what does.
To be fair to YUSU the bus breaking down wasn’t their fault and they immediately rang the organisers at the racecourse to let them know! They also put everyone who hadn’t jumped into a taxi on the next bus so they still got there in time, blowing it all out of proportion!
To’Stop Moaning’ did you even go to the summer ball? ‘Champers’- by which I guess you mean champagne was about £30 a bottle- not exactly student price range- and despite what you seem to think there was no complimentary champagne.
To ‘standard end of term stuff from campus papers’ same question really- if you’re happy to pay 4.40 for a pint of lager be my guest but don’t act surprised when basically everyone complains about it.
This article is spot on: most of the summer ball was brilliant but a couple of organisational problems (buses being late and breaking down) and the prices of drinks let it down a bit
Is that the same Big D that made a £10k+ loss that YUSU have had to cover?
Since you are talking complete balls, no.