Pricing rebound shifts the landscape for student events
In a year marked by unusual student-funded activities and shifting campus traditions, a trend known as “ghost camping” appears to be fading as prices for event access start to return to more predictable levels. The term, little-known outside tight-knit campus circles, described a practice where groups would reserve spaces or experiences at a reduced, often informal price, relying on last-minute deals or unspoken generosity from organizers. Now, with pricing normalizing, organizers and students alike are re-evaluating what these deals meant for participation, inclusion, and accountability.
The comeback of standard pricing brings clarity but also questions. Vendors, student unions, and campus clubs typically balance fundraising needs with accessibility. When prices were temporarily suppressed or opaque, some students felt it was easier to join in, while others worried about a lack of transparency. As prices rebound, schools are increasingly publishing clear cost breakdowns, sponsorship options, and cap-on-cost policies to ensure that participation remains feasible for all students who want to take part.
What are Prom campers, and why do they want ballots back?
In recent campus conversations, a subset of students who organize around prom-related activities—affectionately dubbed “Prom campers”—have emerged as vocal advocates for democratic processes within student life. Historically, ballots have shaped decisions about event logistics, funding allocations, and policy changes affecting prom, after-parties, transportation, and related experiences. The perceived loss of ballot influence during the tighter-budget years prompted calls to restore a formal voice in planning and oversight.
Prom campers argue that ballots—and the broader student-government framework that supports them—are essential checks and balances. They believe restating the ballot process would ensure transparent budgeting, fair distribution of resources, and clearer accountability for prom-related expenditures. Critics, meanwhile, warn that reopening ballots could complicate logistics or slow commitments amid tight schedules. The current debate reflects a broader tension on campuses: balancing efficient execution of events with meaningful student input.
How campuses are responding
Across several universities and colleges, administrators are responding with a mix of outreach and concrete policy steps. Many campuses plan to publish detailed budgets for prom seasons, including itemized costs for venues, security, entertainment, and logistics. Some schools are experimenting with participatory budgeting pilot programs, inviting students to allocate a portion of prom funds through online ballots. Others emphasize formal timelines for ballot votes, ensuring student voices are heard without derailing production schedules.
Implications for students and clubs
For students, the pricing rebound could mean a longer-term impact on how accessible prom experiences are. Higher transparency about costs helps families budget for events, while sponsorships and grants can offset expenses for students with fewer resources. For clubs and event organizers, the shift may demand more robust planning, explicit financial reporting, and clearer governance structures to sustain momentum while remaining inclusive.
As ghost camping fades from the campus lexicon and prices stabilize, the prom campers’ call for ballots resurfaces as a reminder: student voices matter in the way communities spend and share their resources. The coming months will reveal whether schools can balance efficient event execution with a renewed commitment to participatory governance and affordable access for all students.
Looking ahead
The intersection of pricing strategy and student governance is likely to shape prom seasons for the near future. If campuses adopt transparent pricing, pilot budgeting, and restored ballot rights, the prom experience could become both more equitable and better organized. For now, ghost camping may be fading, but the conversation about ballots and representation is just beginning to echo through campuses nationwide.
