UND Student Senate passed a bill on Sunday giving $160,000 to the University Program Council to help fund its Spring Jam Concert set for May 3.

The money will come out of Senate’s investments, which come from student activity fees.

“This is the result of an overwhelming demand by students for a return on their investments,” President Nick Creamer said.

Now that UPC has been granted the funds to move ahead with the project, it will be able to finalize a contract with one of the performers it is considering for the concert. The five finalists for the concert are B.o.B, Flo Rida, Fall Out Boy, The All American Rejects and Hot Chelle Rae.

There also will be an opening act, with finalists for that spot being Sammy Adams, T. Mills, Breathe Carolina, Hoodie Allen and Asher Roth.

The event will be held at the Alerus Center.

Even though the bill passed, not all senators were eager to put this much money into a concert. Sen. Kyle Thorson referenced the Student Fee Advisory Committee he was a part of earlier this year and how it decided not to add another police officer on campus in order to keep student fees down.

“This money would cover that,” Thorson said. “We are sacrificing public safety officers for a concert. This is something I can’t get behind.”

A survey done by Student Government through the previous week’s Tuesday Twos showed that 67 percent of respondents were behind funding this event.

“This is something that would excite students and put some energy on the campus,” State Governmental Affairs Officer John Mitzel said.

UPC also will be teaming up with The Big Event, which will be held the morning of May 3.  This will help UPC market the event. They are expecting to draw high school students, Fargo-area residents and more people from the surrounding areas.

Other business

Senate passed a bill allocating $400 for each of the 48 students traveling to Cuba with the UND Concert Choir. This bill previously failed to pass, but with new wording on how senate would allocate the money per person, the bill passed.

“This is an opportunity for the university to expand to other areas,” Thorson said.

Students interested in running for Student Government for the 2014-15 school year, the deadline for turning in packets is Feb. 26.

Megan Hoffman is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].