Tickets aren’t selling “like a rolling stone” for tonight’s Bob Dylan concert.

Even though the Chick Evans Fieldhouse can seat about 5,000, less than half the tickets were sold by Monday, said Kris Trimarco, ticket manager for University Programming and Activities. Ticket sales began Oct. 12.

Because low sales could set back the CAB Concert Committee as much as $20,000, Dylan could be NIU’s last big act of the year, said Concert Coordinator Traci Leach.

Dylan’s fee is $27,250 for performing at NIU. But even if half the tickets sell, the concert committee will still lose the $20,000 needed for advertising, fieldhouse rental and stage crew for the show, she said. Tickets are $13.50 for students and $16.50 for non-students.

The concert committee received $33,525 from student fees for the 1990-91 school year. Leech said the committee’s budget should cover the loss, but it probably won’t be able to fund anything except small-time acts in the Holmes Student Center’s Diversions lounge this year.

“We thought it would sell out totally,” Leach said. Dylan has sold out similar campus concerts in Milwaukee and Iowa, she said.

“We’re nervous but hopeful” that people are waiting until the last minute to buy tickets, Trimarco said.

Before Louis Farrakhan spoke last year, only 2,400 tickets were sold. However, ticket sales were doubled at the door, she said.

“It’s frustrating,” an upset Leach said. “I refuse to say that we made a bad decision.”

CAB has done more promotion for this show than any other big name act NIU has had, she said. It has advertised in Madison, Rockford and some of the Chicago suburbs, she said.

“I don’t know why they aren’t selling; I’m at a loss,” she said.

However, ticket seller Joe Peraino said he had noticed higher sales Monday. He said he sold about 60 tickets within several hours.