I don't fancy myself a complainer, I really don't. However, a certain repeated action by the Vanderbilt Programming Board, as well as by the Music Group, has befuddled me a bit.

Let me begin by saying I am a huge Lupe Fiasco fan. Huge. Really. And when it was announced he would be opening for Lil' Wayne (who I was already quite excited to see) it pretty much settled what I would be doing on Oct. 23: getting to Memorial early so that I could catch, back-to-back, a pair of the best lyricists alive. What I didn't think was that I would also be setting aside another time: this coming Friday morning to wait for tickets.

Now I am not above waiting for tickets to see an artist I particularly enjoy; in fact, I think it's quite fun. Waiting in line with a group of equally excited strangers for something (be it concert tickets or an iPhone) is an experience all people should enjoy.

Rather, my question is this: If the intended market for these seats is comprised of students, why would they go on sale during a time most students have class? Now I am sure there are a million reasons VPB could give as to why (Ticketmaster restrictions, when they could get the staff); however, it still is beyond me why they would place it at such a time.

I do recognize there is no time that will work for all students. There are too many clubs, jobs and personal commitments in all of our lives. Also, the argument could be made that the tickets go on sale at 10 a.m., and people will be out and on their way to class; however, as many people may recall from last year's ticket line, the promise of a certain starting time by no means indicates when the tickets will actually make it into the hands of the people in line.

Maybe I am just too cynical about the whole thing, and maybe my not wanting to miss a class is not a common feeling among my fellow students. Even so, it seems more than counterintuitive for an entity of the university not only to endorse, but to promote ("Ticket Sale Event") missing class, the very reason we pay to come here.

I am sure it is too late for this year's plans to be changed, but maybe in upcoming years, members of VBP will remember that we all did not come to Vanderbilt so we would have to choose between an getting an education and having a good time. I think we should keep it that way.

- Michael Accavitti
Junior, in the College of Arts and Science