Alumni funding reduces support for Light Up the Night

With the significant reduction in alumni funding, organizers of McMaster’s annual Light Up the Night event explore alternative funding options

The McMaster Students Union is working to secure additional funding for the end-of-year festival Light Up the Night after a significant reduction in financial contributions from McMaster's Alumni Association.

The event is the MSU's annual year-end celebration, featuring live music and entertainment. MSU president Jovan Popovic spoke to The Silhouette about the event and this year's reduction in funding, stating that the event has grown substantially over the last eight years, with over 11,000 attendees last year.

Traditionally a partnership between the MSU and the Alumni Association, the event has relied on external funding to accommodate its increasing scale. This year, Popovic says the MSU was informed that alumni contributions would be reduced by one-third from the usual.

According to Popovic, the Alumni Association had initially withdrawn nearly all funding early in the winter term. But, following discussions, they have since decided to continue funding the event—though not to the same extent as before. While the Alumni Association remains an important financial partner, the reduction in support has made it necessary for the MSU to seek additional revenue sources.

Hence, the MSU is pursuing alternative funding strategies, including increasing sponsorship revenue and securing support from sources such as the Office of the President and Facility Services.

Despite initial concerns about scaling back the event, Popovic expressed confidence that Light Up the Night will match last year's in terms of scale.

"At this point in time, I have full confidence that the event will be able to continue as it did before; we fully escaped crisis mode," said Popovic.

Popovic said the MSU has learned from this experience and will prioritize diversifying funding sources to avoid reliance on single donors. While optimistic about this year’s event, he admitted that funding uncertainties create risks that future MSU leaders will inherit.

Popovic also commented on the Homecoming and Large Events Referendum held earlier during this year's MSU presidential election, which proposed adding $20.00 to the MSU operating fee to secure long-term funding for major student events. The referendum ultimately did not pass, meaning events like Homecoming and Light Up the Night will have to rely more on alternative funding sources.

“Seeing 40 per cent having voted in favour, I think it was a fairly close referenda that told me the students largely support the mandate, but that the fee was maybe just a little bit high . . . Perhaps if we do end up creating a partnership with university partners where perhaps they increase the contribution and that fee comes down, maybe there's a path forward in which the concept can be reintroduced at a lower cost to students and I would hope that we could potentially garner support there," said Popovic.

Despite the challenges, the MSU remains committed to making this year’s Light Up the Night a success. Popovic emphasized his excitement for another year of the event, calling it a staple of campus life and a key part of the student experience. This year's Light Up the Night will be held on Apr. 8, 2025, starting at 6 p.m.