By Andrea Maclean
Associate News Edit0r
Students attending Ryerson’s annual Parade and Picnic this year had to shell out $5 in advance for tickets or pay $10 on the day of the event.
But early on Sept. 5, Sid Naidu, RSU vice president life and events, made the decision to continue selling tickets at $5 to “increase attendance” — causing a few students had already bought their tickets for $10 to miss out.
The event tickets were only $2 last year and Naidu explained the price increase was to to encourage students to buy their tickets in advance and to help the RSU offset rising expenses.
“Costs go up every year and that’s part of what students don’t see,” he said. “Permits went up this year. We need street permits.”
Vice president of finance and services, Toby Whitfield, said he wasn’t consulted about raising ticket prices for the event and was disappointed in the increase.
“This is a tradition that we have at Ryerson,” he said. “Students have tons of things to do other than remember to buy their Parade and Picnic ticket in advance.”
Last year’s overspending forced the RSU to turn to corporate sponsorship for funds this year, with five sponsors attached to the event.
More than a 1,000 students attended the event despite dreary weather.
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