For the first time in several years, the University is offering tickets for the Colonials Weekend headline act to the general public because the event has not yet sold out.

Last Wednesday, the University advertised tickets for comedian Billy Crystal’s first performance, on Friday night of Colonials Weekend, on Ticketmaster.com. Crystal will perform for a second time on Saturday night.

“The shows are not sold out. They are being offered to the general public and we encourage people to buy tickets,” said Michelle Sherrard, a spokesperson for the University. “These will be two great shows.”

Last fall The Hatchet reported tickets to see former Colonials Weekend headliner Jerry Seinfeld had sold out before the beginning of the academic year. In 2005, when Jon Stewart came to campus, administrators were forced to add another show due to growing demand. Those tickets sold out within 31 hours.

Tracy Schario, a University spokesperson, said Sunday night the decision to offer the Crystal tickets online was made last week in part by Peter Konwerski, assistant vice president for Student Academic and Support Services.

“(Konwerski) just wants to make sure we have a full house,” Schario said.

Further comment on why the event has not sold out was not available as of press time.