Who in their right minds believes the Union Activities Board needs more money. Apparently, the University’s Fee Review Committee does.
The committee (composed of administrators, faculty, staff and students) recommended giving the Board a $3 increase for the 2007 – 2008 academic year.
The board, affectionately known as the UAB, already receives $10.80 per student to throw away on “acquiring, scheduling, publicizing and presenting films, speakers and special events.” Unfortunately since I have been a student at N.C. State, the UAB has never “earned” its $10.80. And now it wants $3 more.
When is the last time you attended a UAB event? The UAB lacks the experience, professional oversight and leadership to provide programming applicable to the entire student body. It spends the majority of its resources and time planning events tailored to small segments of the student population. It certainly never took the lead to return Homecoming to its former glory.
I have always wondered, “why not just have two big events each year — one in the fall semester and one in the spring?” But I digress. Not everything UAB does sucks. The film series and Minority Career Fair are very popular and have relatively high attendance numbers.
Thankfully, Chancellor James L. Oblinger will review the fee committee’s recommendations before sending the finalized version to the Board of Trustees.
While the fee committee decided to increase the funding of the unpopular and ineffective UAB, the group also decided to cut the funding of the Thompson Theater renovation and reconstruction. The committee only recommended a $4 increase to the Thompson debt service fee rather than the $8 requested to fulfill the building’s master construction plan. This recommendation would cut more than $1 million from the renovation.
What would be eliminated? An entire theater and rehearsal hall. What programs are affected? University Theatre, The Dance Program and The Crafts Center. Unacceptable.
I, along with many other N.C. State supporters have generously given more than $2 million in private support for the Thompson Theater renovation. More than $2 million. No other student affairs entity OR building has ever generated this amount of cash through private funding, except the Gallery of Art and Design.
If this is the case, I want my money back.
The University promised me, not only as a benefactor but as a student, that the money I pledged to Thompson Theater would be used to create a “first-class” facility with certain amenities and specifications. Now we learn that the University is failing to uphold its end of the bargain. I won’t stand for it. I want my money back. And I am not afraid to tell every other patron to do the same. Fortunately for me I have the donor list, and I am always prepared to fight the good fight to do what is right.
Just because the arts programs play second fiddle to other entities on this campus does not mean we will stand idly by while the University fails to uphold its promises. I’d rather have nothing than be sold a “bill of goods.”
Do you think Wolfpack Club supporters would pay thousands of dollars for lifetime seating rights if they were not guaranteed to have the seats? Of course they wouldn’t.
The student body is also being duped. When administrators first proposed renovating Thompson Theater, they presented a grandiose plan to convince student leaders a fee increase was necessary. Now they are reneging on their promises? I also want my student fees back — $30 per year for the past three to four years.
Now ARTS N.C. State is being punished for achieving excellence and raising millions in private dollars to rebuild the historic Thompson Gymnasium. It’s a task the University neglected for years, including passing the building over during the Higher Education Bond Campaign.
Chancellor Oblinger said this about Thompson Theater: “The creation of a state-of-the-art center where theater, dance and crafts can flourish is critical to the future of ARTS N.C. STATE. By transforming the cherished Thompson Building — which has meant so much to the lives of former students — we honor our past while serving current and future generations of N.C. State students.”
If the chancellor meant what he said, he will fully fund the University’s portion of the Thompson debt service fee. If he needs some money, may I recommend the Union Activities Board.
Contact Andrew at viewpoint@technicianonline.com.
