The Convocation Center must reevaluate how it organizes its events. Offering monthly shows on weekends, acts from a variety of genres and shuttle buses to and from events could increase student involvement and retention.

Monthly weekend events

Monthly music shows on the weekends at the Convo would help with retention of those who leave on the weekends and attract future students.

Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles and Sheryl Crow performed Thursday, Oct. 24, and Saturday, Oct. 26; however, the next musician, Billy Currington, didn’t perform until Thursday, March 20.

The Convo should hold concerts every month and each one should feature a different genre of music. Students, especially commuters and transfers, would be inclined to stay on campus if their favorite bands were performing.

Four of the six most recent music performances at the Convo were on Thursdays or Sundays. If concerts were on Fridays or Saturdays, students would be encouraged to stay in DeKalb over the weekend.

Music variety

Of the six most recent concerts at the Convo, including the upcoming 2 Chainz concert, three have been country artists, two have been rap artists and one was Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles.

Bringing an array of musicians and musical groups would open the Convo to more students. Although the Convo brings popular artists to NIU, up-and-coming bands and well-known regional bands could provide refreshing performances.

The Convo can advertise these events more to expose students to other genres.

Shuttle buses

Providing shuttle buses to and from Convo music performances would help sell tickets.

The Convo is not within walking distance for many who live in residence halls, especially Neptune and Gilbert Halls. Because the Convo can sell alcohol at performances, attendees should have a safe option of getting to and from concerts.

They would not have to deal with the stress of parking at a sold-out show. If students could hitch a ride to and from the Convo, it could prevent them from hitching a ride out of town.