Though it may be a bit premature to begin talking about next April, senior Mark Middaugh will be thinking about it from now until the last day of spring classes.
Middaugh was appointed chair of the committee that will plan the April 29 Last Day of Classes event.
He was selected by Campus Council and the Duke University Union, which co-sponsor the annual LDOC celebration.
The selection comes several weeks early, as past LDOC chairs were selected in mid-November.
Campus Council President Jay Ganatra, a junior, said the early start will allow for the committee to potentially secure the best band available.
"It gives us time to get all the ideas out there and see what's feasible," Ganatra said. "These events take a long time to plan. They don't happen overnight."
Middaugh has helped organize past Campus Council events and actively sought out the position, Ganatra said.
"Since the end of last year, Mark's been looking at possible bands," Ganatra said. "He's already been talking to agents, really getting to know the feel when it comes to big concerts."
Middaugh, who was one of five students vying for the position, was approved unanimously by the Campus Council and DUU committee.
During his interview, he spoke about how he will actively include members of an LDOC board in choosing the headliner.
"I want to assemble a full committee and let them have input on how to make LDOC a better event," Middaugh said. "We want to make students move involved in more aspects of the day."
Middaugh also wants to expand the event into an all-day celebration.
He hopes that by doing so, students will place less emphasis on drinking.
"Last Day of Classes is a celebration of the entire day," Ganatra explained. "It's not just about night events. Hopefully by having programs throughout the day, we will be able to curb the excessive drinking."
Some students complained that Collective Soul, last year's LDOC band, was unpopular and outdated-a sentiment about the event that the LDOC organizers do not want to see arise again.
But budgetary issues may keep this year's committee from having the freedom it wants when choosing potential bands.
This year's budget of $70,000 is comparable to that of last year, Ganatra said.
An initiative to increase funds for LDOC will by voted on by the Board of Trustees in February.
If it is passed, Campus Council and DUU will have around $120,000 to spend on LDOC in future years-but not this coming spring.
"Hopefully students will understand that this is the last year of working with a smaller budget," Ganatra said.
Despite working with limited funds, Middaugh is optimistic about the event.
"I'm very excited I'm going to be able to be a part of LDOC and make it a fantastic event for all Duke students," Middaugh said.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.