Dear Editor,

Thank for your interest in what ASG has been up to. Since a lot of exciting things have been going on, it is great to see interest from those at CMU and in the community. As an ASG Senator working on ASG Resolution 11-04, I thought I would chime in and add a few things overlooked in the editorial last week.

First, it was stated that $80,000 was spent on a band valued at $30,000 dollars. The total value requested is correct. The amount requested in the bill is $80,000 which covers security, band, transportation, insurance, staging, lighting, and other elements of a concert that are needed to provide a fun, safe experience for students. 80K was not spent on a band worth 30K. It is estimated that it will take $30,000 to book Gym Class Heroes. The other $50,000 is budgeted to cover the cost to produce this event. It appears to be a large number, but when considering what is needed to make the event effective, the number is accurate and responsible.

In response to student apathy, this concert’s funds were taken out of reserves so that it can serve as a trial event instead of irresponsibly budgeting it into the biannual budget. PAC and other organizations have expressed student interest and desire for a concert of this scale at the beginning of the fall semester. This concert was not designed to throw away student’s money recklessly; instead it was designed to give something back to them. This concert will in no way have an impact on raising student fees.  The concert would be free for all students since student fees fund it. There will be $20 tickets available to the community in order to open communication between the University and the public. This low cost ticket would bring revenue back into the reserve funds and promote a self-sustaining event in the future. The community is being encouraged to take part and join CMU in an exciting event for this University.

As for a concern surrounding the use of a “loophole,” it is clear the only act required to withdraw money from reserve funds is approval from the Campbell Board. This board is comprised of representatives from Little Mavs, Outdoor Program, Programming Activities Council, Associated Student Government, Club Advisory Board, Cultural Diversity Board and Regional National Competition Fund (RNCF). ASG took a vote on Resolution 11-04 in order to determine how ASG representatives would vote on Campbell Board. It passed ASG as well as Campbell Board, signaling student interest and go-forward recognition from organizations across campus. The trust of the students is invested in these organizations that gave their approval. It is inaccurate to say a loophole was used to deceive. The process was transparent with the clear goal of providing the students with the event they have called for.

The statement that the “$80,000 belongs to the students” is correct. It does belong to them and by providing the students with a concert series, they benefit directly from those student fees. Whether one supports the bill is open to objection, however, to claim that ASG has abused its power and used a loophole is uninformed and libelous.

Thanks,

Ariel Diamond

At-Large Senator