The Gargoyle is one of the most underappreciated spaces on campus, only used for the semesterly concerts put on by Social Programming Board. Other than that, the venue sits empty in the Mallinckrodt Center basement, save for a few WU-SLam or Kuumba events here and there and SPB’s Happy Hour. We at Student Life feel that this is a shame, as great music, comedy and art are essential to creating a more engaging campus community, and the Gargoyle provides a unique space to hold this type of programming.

While the Gargoyle can be booked by individual groups, its rates make it unfeasible for an individual or student group to book a professional concert. Therefore, it seems most effective to focus programming through SPB, which already works consistently with the Gargoyle space.

For each semester, SPB is allotted $22,500 for Gargoyle concert talent, along with an additional $6,357 for putting on the events. The space holds, at most, 499 people, meaning that around $60 are spent per person for the concerts. That’s a steep price for a ticket that’s essentially paid out of part of the student activity fee. While the budget itself isn’t necessarily out of line, the programming could be much stronger.

What Student Life proposes instead is that first SPB put significant effort into changing the venue’s atmosphere, and that, second, SPB focus more programming on local acts and events.

Despite its central location, the Gargoyle has been neglected and ignored in terms of modernization. As it is, the venue is dingy, unflattering and honestly a bit sad to think about. With minimal revamping, the space could be a legitimate destination on campus, its basement charm offering an unmatched appeal. Imagine a vibe similar to that of The Ready Room or another supposedly “indie” venue, offering a nice hangout absent the chaos of the Danforth University Center or the sterility of Bauer Hall.

Secondly, Washington University administrators and students alike consistently complain about the Wash. U. bubble effect, which makes it difficult for students to get out into the community and vice versa. In addition to bringing in touring acts like Smallpools, Chiddy Bang or STRFKR, local acts could be brought in to give students a taste of the greater St. Louis artistic community. St. Louis has a strong music scene based around Soulard, The Grove and other neighborhoods. Even the Delmar Loop has consistent live music at venues like Cicero’s and Blueberry Hill. Hosting local acts on campus would create a natural bridge between the University and other areas of St. Louis. Students could get to know the greater arts community in a place close to home before venturing out into the city. Local acts would also be cheaper, more accessible and eager for a college audience to expand their presence.

Additionally, campus-focused arts events could become a much larger part of the Gargoyle’s programming. This semester, SPB will be holding a student comedy showcase that offers the winner an opening slot for B.J. Novak. This premise could certainly be expanded beyond a semesterly event, allowing student comedy to blossom on campus. Open mic nights could be incorporated into SPB’s already successful Happy Hour events, allowing young comedians and poets the chance to perform regularly in front of friends and peers.

With the possibility of a decreased or nonexistent fall WILD, perhaps SPB can shift some of its musical and comedy event focus to the Gargoyle, making their programming more effective and more influential on the arts community at large in and around Wash. U. SPB provides a unique and important service for students on-campus, forming the basis of many Wash. U. students’ first experiences with arts and music on campus. By sprucing up the space and pairing already existing strategies and events with a more local focus, the organization could strengthen students’ bonds with the community and perhaps save some money at the same time.