BREAKING: Homecoming concert canceled – again. Should Panthers expect fewer concerts in coming semesters?

Alex Luzula and Dioslyn Oliva | PantherNOW Staff

FIU’s annual fall homecoming concert has been canceled this year, with the rising cost of performing artists cited as the reasoning behind the decision. 

This marks the second year that FIU has canceled Panthermonium – with last year’s due to “unforeseen circumstances.”

This year, student leaders had been a little more prepared for calling off the monumental Campus Life event that featured several famous artists over the years, including T-Pain, Diplo, 21 Savage and Lil Yachty, to name a few.  

The decision was announced today by Sharlyn Hernandez, Assistant Director of Administration for the Homecoming Council at “Join to Lead”, a student leadership recruitment event at the Modesto Maidique Campus. PantherNOW reporter Dioslyn Oliva was present at the event.

PantherNOW reached out to several members of student government and the Homecoming Council, many of whom were unable to respond or declined to comment.

FIU SGA president Alex Sutton responded with an email statement, indicating that Panthers may see fewer concerts in the future, stating that the administration “has made a decision to slowly phase out concerts”.

“Administrators have told me that concerts are no longer feasible because of rising costs associated with artists and production,” wrote Sutton in an email to PantherNOW. “This is absolutely true — concerts are more expensive and more difficult to put on. However, it is up to SGA to work with the administration to find a workaround so that concerts can continue to happen.”

Email response from SGA president Alexander Sutton regarding concerts. | Alba Rosa, PantherNOW

The Student Government Association previously allocated $280,000 in funding for this year’s Homecoming event as part of budget deliberations held in February – a significant reduction from last year’s $440,000.

Moving to a discussion on Homecoming, Lugo proposes a $10,000 to $20,000 reduction. Levine proposes a $30,000 reduction. They move to a motion to change the budget to $440,000. Motion passes.

— PantherNOW (@_PantherNOW) March 10, 2022

“I think that is acceptable because they asked for a huge request. There were issues with Panthermonium taking place last year, so there needs to be accountability with that,” said Sutton, then-senate president during deliberations this year. 

Sutton moves to allocate $280,000 for Homecoming, Lugo seconds. Motion passes.

— PantherNOW (@_PantherNOW) February 16, 2023

The budget committee approved the budget cuts, while also encouraging the Homecoming Council to look for other sources of funding. 

“I absolutely believe we need to be adamant in the provisional language of emphasizing our strong desire to see the concert still happen and to look for other funding sources,” said Sutton, now student body president, during deliberations in February.

Sutton wrote in his email statement that he intends to make sure that students have concerts to go to in the summer and fall of 2024.

“SGA has plenty of funds in the reserves that we would be ready and willing to allocate to Homecoming and Campus Life so that Panthermonium and Summerfest can come back next year,” wrote Sutton. “Even though SGA can supply the funding, we can’t plan those concerts — that will be the job of the Homecoming Council and Campus Life.”

Correction: an earlier publication stated that the “Join to Lead” event was held at BBC. It was held at MMC.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more information becomes available. 

Alba Rosa, Elise Gregg and Arianna Otero contributed to this report.