Although students are angry, SPEC can at least be happy that it's because they did such a good job picking the Fling performers. Between Ben Folds and Third Eye Blind, SPEC won the hearts of students longing for both quality music and nostalgia (who didn't love "Semi-Charmed Life"?).
Unfortunately, SPEC proved naive in estimating how fast tickets would sell - nearly all tickets were gone by the second day. A bigger venue, like Franklin Field, would have been ideal, but there was no way for SPEC to know how popular the concert would be in time to reserve it.
Next year, if SPEC picks another popular act, they should consider releasing the names earlier to gauge student interest in time to book a bigger venue.
SPEC also did a poor job enforcing ticket limits. Students have reported buying multiple tickets, both for friends - at Penn and from elsewhere - and for resale. With tickets going so fast, SPEC should have enforced a strict limit on how many tickets an individual could buy. SPEC could also restrict concert attendance to Penn students only. While this would hurt students whose friends visit just for Fling, SPEC's responsibility is first and foremost to Penn students.
The situation isn't completely hopeless, though. One solution is to place speakers on College Green to broadcast the concert - students will already be out on campus, most likely around Wynn Commons hoping to hear the music.
Despite the problems associated with the sold-out tickets, SPEC can take away some valuable lessons. When Justin Timberlake comes next year, they'll be ready.
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