To the Barnard and Columbia undergraduate community,

The Bacchanal Student Committee is dedicated to providing the best experience for the student community. Upperclass students may recall that we implemented a new initiative before the end of the 2018-2019 school year that aimed to include more student input in our planning process: we created a survey that was distributed by student councils in order to not only gather feedback from last year’s show but also propose new structures for the spring concert. Within that survey, we had asked the student body if they were interested in moving Bacchanal to an off-campus location — a majority voted in favor of the change. Therefore, we are pleased to announce the decision to move this year’s Bacchanal to a nighttime event at The Bowery Presents: Terminal 5 on W. 56th St.

In order to have moved forward with this decision, the Bacchanal Executive Board was required to present the new concert structure to the presidents and VP of Finances of the four undergraduate colleges at the start of the school year for additional feedback and support. Preparing for this presentation meant that the Bacchanal Executive Board worked throughout the summer rearranging the concert structure, obtaining cost estimates, and more in order to create a cohesive model for the day of show. The choice to take the concert off-campus was always a point of conversation for many generations of the Bacchanal Executive Board, as other NY based schools like NYU, Parsons, and FIT use similar models for their programming. 

Moving to Terminal 5 has given us the opportunity to address much of the student feedback we have received in previous years in order to enhance the quality of the show. Below are some logistics that have been considered:

• Transforming Low Plaza into a concert space is a costly venture; by moving to Terminal 5 — which is already a concert space and significantly cheaper to rent — we’ve freed up a large portion of our budget.
• Freeing up our budget allowed for an increase in how much allocation can go to artists. 

To ease the transition from campus to Terminal 5, we are providing the following: 

• Ticketing: Similarly to previous years, we will release 3,000 free tickets in batches in order to give people multiple chances at reserving a space at the show. Further details will be announced closer to the event.
• Transportation: Round Trip MetroCards will be provided to students who would like one.
• Accessibility: Terminal 5 is a wheelchair accessible venue. Columbia Disability Services and Barnard CARDS will provide accessible transportation to and from the venue upon request. Students who need accessible transportation or other disability accommodations to attend Bacchanal should contact Columbia Disability Services or Barnard CARDS at least 10 days in advance of the event.

In addition, we recognize the importance of maintaining a spirit of community and togetherness on-campus and are still working through the details to provide daytime programming in collaboration with other student music groups. We envision a collaborative event showcasing student performances with a wide range of genres, called “The Talent Show” where everyone will be able to support and listen to the music produced by your friends and fellow peers! 

We are well aware that moving Bacchanal off-campus is a culture shift, but the hardworking executive board and general body members of the Bacchanal Student Committee will work alongside you to create a music experience that everyone can enjoy; therefore, we ask everyone to keep an open mind as we work through this change. Thank you all and are looking forward to making history together. 

Lovingly,
The Bacchanal Student Committee