In a rather shocking news release, Student Union announced that, for the first time in 26 years, Washington University would only be hosting one WILD concert in the upcoming school year. Facing pressure from the administration and the immense scheduling challenges that will be presented by the presidential debate, SU and the Social Programming Board made what was likely the only logical decision.

As SU president senior Jordan Finklestein pointed out, the Spring 2017 WILD budget will likely increase enough for SPB to invest in a more expensive headlining performer. WILD Director Nicholas Koutrakis said that, at this point, it is very hard to estimate how much SPB will actually be allotted for the concert, but confirmed the group’s previous statement. In the 2013-2014 academic year, according to a graphic put out by Student Union, SPB spent $160,000 on talent for the WILD concerts, and, while actual allocation of these dollars varies from year to year, Koutrakis says that roughly 75 percent of that budget is reserved for headlining acts (roughly $60-75,000 per semester).

If WILD decided to pursue the aforementioned headlining strategy, WILD’s headliner would hopefully come in the $100-120,000 price range (about 1.5 times the amount of talent spent on one WILD concert). Using booking sites commonly used by universities (like Main Stage Productions and Babco Entertainment), we find headliners like Fetty Wap ($100,000+), Major Lazer ($100,000) and Kid Cudi ($100,000+) that are all possible options for the concert. None of these artists were on the last WILD survey and are arguably an upgrade over our current choices.

But then again, if you’re pessimistic and think that these artists aren’t a significant upgrade over what $60-75,000 can do, then imagine a WILD where we get two headliners at one concert (Say Kygo and the X Ambassadors). That argument is also incredibly valid, and I hope that SPB gives this considerable thought in the coming year. More artists means more satisfied students, and the increased budget could certainly produce a fun WILD for a larger majority of the Wash. U. community. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but, if SPB could convince the headliners to do a duet, that could be pretty awesome (for instance, X Ambassadors and Kygo do a mashup of “Renegades,” “Firestone” and “Stole the Show”?).

The last time that Wash. U. only hosted one WILD concert in a school year was in 1990, when the headlining performer was rock singer Henry Lee Summer. Hits from his pedigree include “I Wish I Had a Girl” and “Hands on the Radio.” I’m confident we’ll end up with a better WILD in April of 2017, but that may not be of any comfort to sophomores and juniors studying abroad in the next academic year. I understand the frustration, but with all of the activity that will be happening on campus with the presidential debate (and all of the potential for high-profile guest talks), I don’t think we’re going to feel bored. Maybe the debate is a letdown, but, even so, we still have the Comedy series, the Gargoyle Concert and other speakers. And if you’re desperate for music, you still have LouFest. Tickets are $50-55 if you buy them early, and it is bar none the best musical experience that St. Louis has to offer. Or you can always transfer; just check that BuzzFeed article that listed WILD as the second best on-campus party and choose another school on the list.