GRADUATES WILL not be finishing university life with a big bang this year, with the cancellation of the annual Graduation Ball.
In the past the Students' Union run event, which is considered a chance for final year students to bid farewell to friends, has seen numbers of revellers reaching over a thousand. However, dwindling attendance was blamed for the ball's cancellation.
Last year only 650 tickets were sold, leaving about a quarter of capacity unused.
Blame for the lack of interest in the event has been cast on high drinks prices and rising ticket costs. In 2005, the price of a Grad Ball ticket was £45. This year, ticket prices were suggested at an incredible £75, due to an increase in costs.
Added to this is the lure of other events at the end of term in Manchester, such as Fallowfest, Pangaea and the Torremolinos, offer lower prices for a night out.
Some disgruntled students hoped to take matters into their own hands, and have suggested taking on the organisation of a grad ball themselves. Others have started a "Save the Grad Ball" Facebook group.
Tom Skinner, UMSU General Secretary, commented: "Attendances had fallen ever since it was introduced, but had been especially low in the last couple of years. This, coupled with the venue price almost doubling and the absence of any other available venue, unfortunately forced us to cancel plans for the event this year.
"We should be able to get it back next year though, with venue issues resolved. We are currently looking into arranging a smaller scale event that would take place after exams."
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