Wednesday, October 29, 2008
AB #005-08 Blackpool Dance Competition
Assembly Bill #005-08*
Comments:
By sitting in on the senate meeting this week and listening to the proposals from the assembly meetins. I don't understand how during assembly they said the competition was nine days and now they are saying it is six to seven. So they plan on touring for thirteen days in England? I feeling they are trying to enjoy some time in England for themselves. I think this bill should be supported but looked through all the way before the student body gives them money. Is it fair that they spend 13 days touring instead of 5 or so when touring won't get their name out as much as the competition will? I believe what ballroom is doing is awesome and great for SUU, but do they need that much money from student fees to do that much touring? It seems like that's the main reason they want to go instead of having the competition being the main reason they want to go... Thanks for listening
# posted by 
: 6:31 PM
I recently heard about the close to $8,000 bill that passed allowing the Ballroom Dance competition to go to England for 20 days. Honestly this makes me quite upset. I think the Ballroom team is amazing, however, I do not think that student fees should go towards 23 people touring England for eleven days since the competition is only nine days. If money were to be granted it should not have been this excesive of an amount. The Ballroom Dance Team should have been responsible for those extra eleven days. It is not the schools responsibility to fund vacations. This bill only benefited those 23 people and not the community or the student body how student fees should. I feel the assembly money should be spent on organizations and bills that will benefit whole communities or the large majority of the student body. Money should be spent on more service oriented projects that benefit a vast number of people in all different areas and not on excursions. I wish more people would have voted no and the bill had not passed... This was posted on the Assembly bill right after the bill was passed
# posted by : 6:42 PM
I believe this money should go programs and activities that help the SUU community as a whole and benefit us all, not just a vacation that could possibly gain SUU only a few students. SUU is a great school as a whole and can recruit students by themselves rather than relying on the ballroom dance team to recruit students for them. I myself, along with many other students do not agree with this bill and believe it shouldn't be passed. We should support trips with our student fees competitions I can understand but not the extra touring days.
# posted by : 7:12 PM
Many people are against this bill, before this bill was vetoed, it underwent discussion to make a petition. I think a question the senate needs to ask themselves, is do they offend 23 students by amending the money down, or do you give ballroom the money they are asking for between to the two branches and take a chance at offending over 100 students by using their student fees to give to ballroom for something that doesn't benefit SUU as a whole, and something that many students are against.
# posted by : 7:34 PM
It needs to be stated that student government is not against supporting ballroom. what they do is awesome and has helped so many students feel apart of something at this school full of so many students. the problem we have is the money. we have limited funds and once those are gone thats it. no more funding clubs or colleges. we need to look at every bill very closly and decided if that much money will benefit not only the club but also all students on campus. there is also many questions still concerning this bill. i feel there are ways they could cut down the time spend in england which would save so much money and they could ask for less which would be more likely to pass with no objection or concern. an iterary would be very nice to see and also a better break down to where allocated funds would be going to. it is stated that the competition is only 9 days so what is the purpose of spending 20 days?
# posted by : 7:55 PM
I think that this proposal is ridiculous. I feel that money should go to things that promote being successful in college. I don't think they should get all the money. I think if other clubs approached the Assembly or the Senate asking for money to go to England, chances are, they would turn us down. How is this bill benefitting all of SUU. I don't want my student funds to go to supported only 23 students. I would rather my money go to something I could attend and possibly benefit from.
# posted by : 9:04 PM
I support the ballroom team and I believe that they are great, but I don't believe it's necessary or fair that they get eight thousand dollars from the bugdet. There are other clubs and organizations that could benefit from the money. I believe that SUUSA should still support ballroom, but in my opinion, eight thousand dollars is just too much. They shouldn't have to go for twenty days if they are competing for nine days. It would be fun and cool, but it doesn't seem fair that the student fees are going to help them tour when they really don't need to. It's not a necessity for the club to go on the extra days to tour and ask the school to help fund them.
# posted by : 9:19 PM
I think that Ballroom shouldn't be allowed to receive this money. By receiving this amount of money, other clubs chances of money are going down. Which doesn't seem fair when other clubs are sometimes more active, and often times have more active members than ballroom does. If they are going to go to England, they shouldn't ask for money from the school. The school is not here to support clubs to tour and vacation, but just to compete.
# posted by : 9:24 PM
This is part of my tuition that is going to support someone elses fun time. If it was affecting alot of students it would be pretty cool. Chances are we will never hear about it and it is throwing away money that will only help a few kids.
# posted by : 9:26 PM
I feel that $8,000 is a completely outlandish amount of money to ask for. Kudos to the Ballroom dance team for wanting to go to England and compete, however, I can think of a lot of things that I would rather have my money go to. I didn't come to school and pay a ton of money just to have it enjoyed by someone else.
I do think that the team should get some money as I know that the costs are outrageous. But, as I said before, I feel that $8,000 is way too much.
# posted by : 11:19 AM
I posted my opinion on this bill on the Journal's website, but apparently they deleted it. Thanks for the fair voice!
I don't agree with this bill taking $7,000 of my Student Fees! I don't understand how 16% of the Assembly's budget is going to this? I am really fired up about this, because I don't feel that the other 7,000+ students here on campus really had a say on this, before the Assembly foolishly passed this! Honestly, are they just filling positions? I would appreciate my "representatives" to talk to me and justify to me why the Ballroom deserves this money.
I feel that the Student Government is just funding a vacation for the Ballroom. I would have loved some money from the Student Government went I went to Africa! I would love some money also for an "educational" cruise to Mexico! This is just not being fiscally responsible. Especially for a club that doesn't do that much besides maybe Dancing with the Stars and the same damn concert ten times. I just feel that the Ballroom team should fundraise and save their pennies like I did when I went to Africa.
Please keep my Student Fees sacred. Don't fund $7,000 of my fees to the Ballroom team.
---PETE
# posted by : 11:31 AM
Having looked at the bill, I agree with Jon as a club president and as a student who pays fees just like everyone else. I have seen a lot of angry comments on here, and I would encourage all to read the context of the bill. Ballroom is raising 70,000 dollars themselves for this and SUUSA is funding just enough to cover competition costs and put a small dent in travel if the senate approves it.
I am happy to allow my student fees go to this because ballroom is very active and has many activities that I personally enjoy. My concern remains that the amount is a lot for one branch of the government. I encourage the senate to fund half and the assembly to fund half.
# posted by : 1:36 PM
Does anyone on here know how much of their "tuition" goes to student fees for SUUSA? Anyone? Let me tell you. 26 dollars and 50 cents. So its not 7,000 dollars of "your student fees."
# posted by : 1:38 PM
Well Pete, being a member on student governmet, I know we have too many clubs and we can't talk to every individual member about every bill that is put on the table. Not saying that we shouldn't inform you of what's going on. But if you want your opinions to be heard, and constantly be updated on our meetings. Then please feel free to attend, we rarely see students at any of them, and that's the best way for you to be heard. Concerning this particular bill, I know it was not a clear decision to pass this bill. Their are people who voted no. So if you want ask your delegates their personal opinion on why they said yes or no that is the better way to approach to approach this situation.
# posted by : 7:01 PM
So how much of the $70,000 has the team raised? Is there a certain amount of days in advance that a Club can ask for money for their event? Is the team still able to attend this competition, if the amount is reduced? What is the amount that each member is being asked to pay out of pocket, as well as fundraise?
# posted by : 7:34 PM
If you want more information on this bill please contact a senate member or a delegate. Quick facts, you can approach the assembly at anytime asking for money, but it has to be at least four weeks before the event. We cannot refund any club for an event that has already taking place. The Ballroom trip is actually a $80,000 dollar trip and the team raised $69,000 dollars on their own. With more questions concerning the bill please contact your delegate or any delegate or a senate member and they would love to send you information regarding the Ballroom Bill.
# posted by : 10:08 PM
In response to the sentiments expressed regarding the amount of days that the Ballroom Dance Company will spend in Europe, I would like to clarify just what they will be doing during their "off days."
The BDC will be spending much of their time, if not all, practicing and setting-up the stage for performances. We had a representative from BDC, Derek Raynor, explain that they are working on their productions from 8am to 10pm during these “days off.” Also, some of this time will be spent in travel (not only to England, but through its various cities to compete as well), learning from professionals,
As for the assumption that these students will simply be touring England, I say have at it. Each student is required to pay $2,000 from their own pocket, and SUUSA Government is only providing enough to cover competition entrance fees, and a small portion of travel. If the students would like to foot the bill for extra days, go for it.
If you have further questions, please get in contact with me and I will provide you with more information.
Email: m14ark@hotmail.com
Phone: 801.597.6951
# posted by : 9:06 AM
In my past years I have gone through sports and theater which I end up dropping because either there was a money issue my family couldn't afford or it just was a passtime. When I started Ballroom it was my first semester here at Suu, I had a couple of friends from high school who wanted me to join. I had never danced in my life until I came here. I ended up making it on the beginning team and I learned so much throughout the semester not just dancing but more of who I am. Fall semester was starting up again and i tried out again, although this time making it on Tour team. It was amazing! I was so excited, this semester I have learned so much that I couldn't see me doing in 30 years from now. I am really happy with myself right now and I don't want to lose the opportunity of going to Blackpool because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I believe it can represent the whole community by having us go. Just to think that Southern Utah University Ballroom Dance Company from little old Cedar City had the chance to go to Blackpool in London, England. I just hope that the senate can see that how big of an opportunity this is. A lot of people have seen us in concert or performances or even practices and they know how much effort we put on to making it look good. The Ballroom Company is still young at this school but that shouldn't stop us to dream big, and work hard to get there. I love to dance especially with this awesome company that we all should be greatful here at this school, and I hope that I'm not the only one who notices that. Ballroom is great and I would do anything to have the opportunity to go to Blackpool, and I know that I'm not the only one.
# posted by : 9:13 AM
First off, I would like to thank everyone for their comments and opinions about this bill. As the Delegate for the Ballroom Dance Team, I was the one who wrote the bill and represented the team in the assembly meetings. I would, however, like to make a few recommendations. I see that many people have very negative opinions about the bill. That is perfectly fine, and I enjoy hearing both sides on this subject. However, many of these comments would have been much more effective before the bill was actually passed. We have assembly meeting every week, and there is always time for students to voice their opinion. During the time that we were debating the bill, not a single person voiced any opposition. If you strongly oppose something that we are doing, come tell us about it! Also, I don’t feel that most people really understand what the Blackpool Competition is. It has been said many times, but I feel I must say it once more for the benefit of the many students who were not in the assembly meetings. The Blackpool Competition is the most prestigious and famous dance competition in the world. Most dancers dream of going to it, but will never have the opportunity. This is an amazing opportunity for the team and SUU to be represented at the competition. Another thing: make sure you get your facts right. I thank Jeff Kinsel for giving us some solid facts about the issue. Many people have said that they don't want their student fees to pay for a "vacation" for the Ballroom Dance Team. The truth is, the $7500 dollars that was proposed to go to the team only covered the cost of the competition itself, and a very small portion of their transportation. Not a penny of that was to go towards anything else that they were going to do in England. The team, itself, has planned to raise well over $70,000 dollars to cover the rest of their trip. Each member is also being required to pay $2000 dollars out of their own pocket, so I would hardly say that the Assembly would be paying for them to "vacation." One more thing: I understand that students feel that the money won’t benefit SUU as a whole. At the moment, I cannot think of any one thing we could fund that would directly benefit every single student on campus. I thought it was very clear that the purpose of the Clubs and Student Involvement Assembly was to help regulate and fund CLUBS. If students want to benefit more directly from the assembly, then they should become involved and join one or more clubs and seek assistance from us. If any club has any ideas that would benefit the entire student body, then, I say, come show us and we will be more than willing to put it on the table.
# posted by : 9:45 AM
I think that the money going to the Ballroom Dance Company is well spent. It's not like they're going on vacation in Europe. They're going there to represent SUU. The majority of the funding that they're going to need is most likely going towards air-fare so an extended stay in Europe would only ensure that the money is even better spent. Not to mention I heard that all the kids touring have to come up with thousands of dollars of their own money.
If the ballroom dance company can get around to several other countries and make a good impression they will be helping the University's image and creating the opportunity for them to return. I know several people involved with ballroom that wouldn't even be at this school if it weren't for the company. Not to mention that Ballroom Dance is growing in popularity, all around the country. I think it'd be a great way to spend our students money and a great way to get SUU's name out there. Cheers!
# posted by : 9:55 AM
I support the ballroom with getting the funding; out of all the clubs and organizations on campus I feel that ballroom deserves it. I saw firsthand how hard they work in that ballroom from putting on community events and raising their own funds. I respect the fact that they are asking for less than 10 percent of actual cost to attend their events. With the success that they have shown over the last couple of years they deserve for their college to support them.
# posted by : 10:21 AM
The ball room team is asking for almost $8,000 which is almost as much as the senate has spent so far this semester on various bills. It is a lot of money, however, the team has raised almost 80,000 dollars on their own, so they are asking less than 10% of the cost. I also respect the fact that everytime they have asked for money to perform elsewhere, such as the North West and North East United States, they have been asked to come back and their way is already paid. Obviously they are doing a great job and they work very hard. However, I think the senators really need to investigate exactly what this money is being used for.
Dani W.
# posted by : 10:41 AM
The main focus of any club is to promote unity around one specific interest. The Ballroom Dance Company facilitates over seventy students interests and helps foster new skills for any who participate. As a club, the ballroom program does not receive any funding as compared to the other clubs on campus. Fundraisers, performances, and word of mouth through various performances and community activities are what keep this club on the SUU map. This bill to alleviate a small fraction of the cost for the Blackpool competition should not be an issue though I believe. Blackpool is the most prestigious ballroom competition in the world. The fact that the SUU Ballroom program is good enough to take a team to compete halfway across the world is saying something. Some feel that this would just be a vacation in England for the team and yet they will be bringing not only Southern Utah University's name thousands and thousands of miles across the world, but they would be representing the state of Utah. What better way to access new contacts than to perform for as many people as possible in as many places accessible to this team. Performing and competing is not an easy task, ask anyone who has chosen to pursue that road in life. Performances and competitions are hard work and would in no way be a vacation. The funding given to ballroom would only pay for the competition fees and a small percentage of travel. The rest (a good $2000 each) would be fundraised by the teams—with no complaints on their side. I see no downfall in awarding these hardworking students a chance to participate, as cheesy as it may sound, in a once in a lifetime experience. I believe the ballroom program is a huge asset to SUU and this $7,645 is a small amount in retrospect. If you have any questions, go talk to any member of the Ballroom Dance Company...I did and my vote stalwartly stands with the passing of this bill.
# posted by : 10:42 AM
I voted no on the Bill when it was purposed to the assembly, this is NOT because I don't feel they deserve the money. The facts are they do, they are a very active club and this is a wonderful chance to show the world what SUU and these particular students have to offer. However, we also do not have the funds to support a bill this large. I feel it is fiscally irresponsible to pass such a bill and would love to give them a smaller amount, say around 3-4 thousand dollars. The BDC only put forth $2000 each when they went to New York last year thay could do more if they really wanted to go. Senate I hope you do give them some money just not $7654
# posted by : 10:56 AM
I have read every comment listed in response to this bill and I am appalled at the misinformed nature of almost all of them. Such comments as, “my tuition is going to the ballroom dance team”, “the these funds will be in support of a vacation”, “that funding this trip will not benefit SUU”, and numerous others that demonstrate the ignorance and lack of information that resulted in such opinions.
I encourage all of you to speak with a ballroom dance company member and ask them if this trip is going to be a vacation. You will be astounded to find out that the team rehearses from 6am to 8am M-F and again on Thursday evenings as well as taking technique training classes. In a given week each ballroom company member will give anywhere from 16 - 30 hours of there time to rehearse and prepare to tour and represent the University performing arts as well as the University as a whole.
During a Ballroom Dance performance tour, the focus is completely on representing the University. The majority of the time is spent traveling, or setting up a theatre for a performance, or performing for schools, or community centers. Students of the Ballroom Dance Company spend countless hours representing SUU and the incredible University that it is. There are opportunities to do fun things and see cultural sites but those are secondary items and usually there are very few of those opportunities planned due to the intensive itinerary planned.
For example, when the Ballroom Dance company travels to perform in the Northwest, selflessly giving up their Spring break to perform over ten days, during that time frame there is nearly no time to do anything but travel in a van for more then 40 hours, set up a theatre every day, perform, go home with host families to minimize costs, and then get up at usually 6am to do the whole thing all over again the next day.
Does that sound like a vacation? Do you think that you have the capacity to do what these extraordinary students do day in and day out? I doubt it. The only reason people complain is because it is in England, so therefore it is a vacation, right? If it were in Canada would it be as big of an issue? How about Alabama or some other place that isn't as exciting? Would you complain then?
How about the fact that each of the ballroom dance students are required to personally raise $2000 of their own money to subsidize the trip and the $7,500 asked for is less then 10% of the cost of the overall trip. How much does SUU pay for PA's to go out and represent SUU or spent to put signs up on buses in Salt Lake? I am sure a lot more then $7,500 of your tuition money!
These ballroom students stay in people’s homes the majority of the time. They are planning to do that in England as well. This gives them the chance to talk about the University and create a personal connection. Because of ballroom dances efforts and ability to have personal experiences with people all over the US and the world, the University benefits as a whole. People will be more inclined to contribute to the University, they are more inclined to attend a University event besides ballroom dance, and they become more connected.
The Ballroom Dance Company, has grown so much in size and quality. There are now 71 students affected by this bill. In addition, I know that there are hundreds of students on campus that attend Ballroom events and take classes. In a school of just 7,000 students a program that draws this much interest deserves to be supported.
The Blackpool England Competition is the most prestigious Ballroom competition in the world. BYU and UVU attend regularly for this very reason, to demonstrate the quality of their programs and as a result students interested in ballroom dance attend those universities. Since the time I came here to coach this team two years ago, it has always been my goal to attend Blackpool and give these students this opportunity. Through my own efforts and those of the members on the company, we have built this outstanding program to be something that the University, and you as students, can be proud of to represent SUU. Attending Blackpool would help to perpetuate this program and bring International recognition to SUU.
Two years ago the senate approved a student play "Beyond the Horizon" for $10,000 to take the play to NYC. ALL OF THIS MONEY CAME FROM THE SENATE BUDGET AND NOT FROM BOTH BRANCHES. This tour for the Ballroom Dance Company would carry even more prestige and would be seen by thousands of people in attendance. 75,000 people attend the Blackpool competition annually due to the sheer talent that this competition draws.
Just having the opportunity to attend will bring honor to the Ballroom program, SUU, Cedar City and everyone who has ties into the University. The ballroom Dance program will represent a high quality of dancing as they have for the past two years and the benefit that will result from this for all parties will be outstanding and something SUU can be proud of.
What other club or student organization is doing all that the Ballroom Dance Co. is doing? How will people ever know all that SUU offers if we don't have students creating that personal experience for them? Through a brochure or a billboard? The Ballroom Dance Co. is doing exactly what is most effective in promoting the University and that is going outside of Cedar and performing in people's cities and staying in their homes.
Why do these students do this? Because, they love SUU, and they love to perform, and they love to represent all that they believe in. Can you say that you have that same dedication to this University? If you did then I think you would see that the Ballroom Dance Company as a whole is a model organization that stands for SUU as a whole.
The assembly members who voted for this bill saw this vision and that is why they made the decision that they made. They are your elected representatives, so if you are unhappy with their decision, ask yourself who were the people who voted them in? It was you, and you should stand proudly by the vision and their decision to support an initiative that has so much promise and benefit. I applaud them and so should you.
I just hope that the senate has such a vision and does not amend any of the money asked for unless it is amended for more which it should be.
# posted by : 10:56 AM
I am an intergrated engineering major and know how time consuming it is just to the work for my degree. The time and effort these students put into Ballroom Dance on top of doing all there school work is just unbelievable! It would be a tragety to not give them the funding they need to go to this competition after all the work they have done to prepare.
I would also just like to point out that all the colleges are represented by the twenty three students who will be going on this trip. So they are, as a group, representing all of SUU not just the CPVA. There will be benifits for all of them that apply to there majors.
# posted by : 12:03 PM
I heard that the senate and assembly are considering a bill to support the ballroom teams trip to England.As I understand the bill and the general consenus of the student body, many people feel that the money, that will be split between the assembly and senate, is too much to ask and they don't feel it is fair. The main complaint i hear is this misunderstanding that the money will be used for the team to vacation for extra days. This is very untrue. The money is to help offset the cost of airfare and the competition. The few additional tours(not sightseeing) around the area will be part of the large amount of money that the team will have to raise on their own. The team is a great advertisement and recruitment tool and is made up of quite a few members of the student body. There are over 70 members of this club/ team and through their experiences they can not only better themselves but learn about other cultures. These experiences can be brought back home and help influence the rest of the student body. So when you look at the amount they are asking for and compare it to the opportunity for recruitment/ advertisement and indvid. student developement. Also their are a few facts on this blog that some people have skewed, so I encourage everyone to throughly read the bill and speak with a member of the team to get the real facts about how the money will be used and what the team will be doing. You may be surprised. Thank you.
# posted by : 12:23 PM
After reading through all the comments that students have posted, I feel that some clarification on some of the points is vital to their understanding of why we are asking for this money.
One of the major concerns is the fact that we are spending a full 20 days in England. Many students assume that because we will only be attending the actual Blackpool competition for 6-7 days, the remainder of our time will be spent vacationing and site-seeing. This absolutely not true. Not to say that there may be an occasional opportunity for these kinds of activities, but the rest of our time in England will be spent performing throughout the country to earn the rest of the money we need as well as promoting the Universities name. Cutting down our time in England will not necessarily decrease the overall cost since the remainder of our time is really where we earn our most money. The initial cost of getting the whole team to England is one of the largest parts of the budget. Once we are in England, we stay with host families to help reduce the cost.
The performance tours we go on throughout the year are far from a vacation. Our technical director, Derek Raynor, who came on tour with us last year, was shocked to see how much work goes into these tours. He commented at the presentation of our bill to the senate on Wednesday and described how our “free time” was spent in the theatres all day setting up for our shows in the evening. After performances, we go home with our host families only to wake up the next morning, drive to the next location and do it all over again. The tours are hard work, but we do it because we love performing and the chance to represent our school in such a positive way.
Another issue raised is the amount of money we are asking for. We realize that $7500 is a lot of money, but this amount is less than ONE TENTH of our almost $80,000 budget. The money that we are asking for only covers competition fees and a small portion of travel fares once we are in England. The money allocated to us is not paying for our “vacation” in England. Every student attending Blackpool is required to come up with $2000 on our own in addition to participating in the numerous fundraisers we host throughout the year including our two end of semester concerts, Valentines Day Gala, Dancing With the Stars, Fear Factor, Jr. Ballroom, several workshops, and the Salsa Dance. We are not asking the student government to pay our way here, we merely ask a small percentage of our total cost to assist us. We all work extremely hard for this program and would greatly appreciate this help.
Your student fees are not going to waste here. To address another comment, this money is not being thrown away on a few students for an experience that the rest of the student body will never see the benefit from. On the contrary, I think the Ballroom Dance Company’s attendance at this competition and stay in England is hugely beneficial to SUU. Of course the actual tour to England will only be experienced by these 23 students, the impact of this opportunity far extends beyond these students experience. Blackpool is the most prestigious ballroom dance competition in the world attended by thousands of people; our attendance there would be hugely beneficial in promoting and crediting the Universities name. Also, staying with host families allows the students to establish connections and promote investment in the school by people and families that would not normally receive this kind of attention. These talented, dedicated dancers work anywhere from 16-30 hours per week to make this program something the university can be proud of. Your student fees are supporting these dancers who are representing your university. What are you doing to help?
In addition to our performance tours which help to promote the university and recruit new students, the Ballroom Dance Company has an impressive retention rate. I personally am here because of this program. I enjoy the education I am receiving here, the small class sizes, and the personally invested teachers, but the experiences I have had through ballroom have truly made my experience at this school memorable, and I know that many other students involved in the program feel that same way.
For those not directly with the teams or classes, the company provides numerous events throughout the year to involve THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY. On campus events include two semi-annual full productions, Dancing With the Stars, a Valentines Day Gala, Fear Factor, workshops, Salsa Dances, and our participation in numerous campus events such as the Freshman Assembly, the Homecoming Parade, Bread and Soup Night, the International Food Fair, the Darfur Fundraiser, the Howl, club fairs, convocations, Basketball halftimes, etc. We also serve and involve the community in several events such our performances and activities with organizations like TURN, Cedar City’s rest homes, the Care and Share, Cedar City’s Birthday Party, the Christmas Festival, and the Chamber of Commerce banquet. What other clubs provide this many opportunities for ALL SUU students and Cedar City community to get involved?
This is not to say that other clubs don’t deserve money from the CSI. I support all the campus clubs and am proud of our Universities high student involvement rate, however, if those clubs need money than they can come ask the assembly. Our trip isn’t until May, but we came to student government 8 months in advance to assure that we could get the help we needed. I realize that this bill is upsetting to many students, but there was not a single student who attended the assembly when this bill was voted on to voice an objection. We, as students, elect our student government to make informed choices on these student issues. If you have a concern about the manner the bill was voted on, I suggest you ask your delegate about their decision. Before you make a judgment about this bill, please be aware of all the facts. Don’t jump to conclusions- become educated on this issue. If you have any questions, any member of the team would be more than happy to answer your questions.
# posted by : 1:48 PM
I am not a Ballroom Dance company member but I have been influenced by them tremendously over my time at SUU. I have taken one of the classes, I have attended their free workshops open to the student body, I have attended their Dancing with the Stars event, which I might add is the best event on this campus all year, and I know the passion of their members as I see so many of them working hard practicing and promoting their events.
I even remember the homecoming parade and the only group that made the parade interesting was the mob of ballroom dancers that went out of their way to strap a huge stereo on the back of a truck and dance in the heat to show their school spirit.
In my opinion this group is the most recognizable and most outstanding on campus. They constantly strive to involve the student body and I know my experience at SUU has been enhanced by their efforts. I would be happy to know that a portion of my students fees will go to support them. I would prefer that over the athletic programs. At least we can be proud of the accomplishments that the ballroom dance company have made. Can't say the same about football.
# posted by : 5:25 PM
I find it hilarious that people complain about things after the fact. I also think that it shows the lack of credibility of our President being pressured to veto this bill because people complain to him. This bill was passed 9 - 3 by elected officials of the assembly. They are not dumb people. They made an educated decision and President Mcnaughtan should have had the confidence in his delegates to support them in this decision. They knew the budget, they report on it every week. They were not concerned about giving this much money and they are the ones most involved with the clubs. No one showed up to speak against the bill so for all they knew everyone was in support.So now there is a muligan a do-over because people weren't smart enough to voice their opinion ahead of time? Now the Ballroom Dancers have to be the brundt of a bunch of complainers. I have seen the ballroom dancers and have been to events where they perform. They are great and they deserve this money.If anyone deserves this money it is them. It is pretty ridiculous that the money was already given to them and then taken away. They have been incredible ambassadors of this University, too bad I can't say the same things about the people who have caused the money to be taken away.Good luck Ballroomers. Make us proud!
# posted by : 5:43 PM
It doesn't surprise me that the President and his senate would do such a thing to a club. The money was given to them and it should be theirs. In my opinion President Mcnaughtan should undo his veto and stop being a wienie and support his elected officials decisions.The senate is a joke anyway. Overglorified people believing they make a difference when all they do is make life harder for the students who try to make this University great like the ballroom dancers.I don't even know any ballroom dancers and I feel bad for them. Just another victim of the stupid decisions made by people who want to pretend they have power and just hurt the students who really need them.
# posted by : 5:52 PM
I think it is funny how many people complain about people voicing their opinions for or against this bill. Just like people "didn't voice their opinions" against it before the vote, neither did people for it except for the team.
This is a place for people to voice their opinion about the bill not the people. If slanderous comments continue to be made I will be forced to delete those comments.
For those of you who claim the senate and assembly are horrible representatives, join the student government and fix it. Otherwise you have no room to talk. Yes, there will be openings soon as people graduate this semester and move on. Then, you might realize how much the delegates and senators actually do for you as students. Until then, don't attack something you don't know. And Jon is the BEST student Body President of the last three I have known. If you think you can do better, the elections process starts in Janurary. Feel free to run since you are evidently perfect.
Daniel Strange
SUUSA Academic VP/Chair of the Senate
# posted by 
Daniel Strange : 8:35 PM
Once again, I would like to remind everyone to verify the information before they begin making hasty comments. Although I appreciate the support that the assembly is recieving, I believe that the comments made against Jon McNaughtan were ill-informed. As the Sponsor of the Ballroom Dance Bill, I was shocked when I first heard that he had vetoed the bill. However, I do not believe that his decision was made because of his "lack of confidence" in the assembly. Before he made the decision, he spoke with every single one of the delegates personally about the bill. Jon was actually one of the biggest supporters of the bill in the first place. If anyone read the Journal this last week, they would have read the article about the veto. They would have learned that the reason Jon McNaughtan vetoed the bill was not because he didn't want to give the money to the Ballroom Dance team, but because he felt that such a large financial burden should not fall solely upon the assembly, but be divided between both assembly and senate. He vetoed the bill with the intent that the senate would give at least a portion of the orignal amount. The assembly would then be able fund the remainder, so either way, the Ballroom Team would still get their $7500. Sure, I would have liked everything to go a lot smoother, but I still have a high respect for Jon McNaughtan and what he does. I believe that he makes his decisions with the welfare of the Student Body foremost in mind, and I applaud him for it.
As for the comments made against the Senate: Who put them in power? Who voted for them? We as a student body did. So let us all have more respect for the officials that WE ourselves elected. They are just doing their jobs like everyone else is. If you think you can do a better job, feel free to run for office next year.
# posted by : 9:47 PM
I want to make it known to all those who are commenting on this bill, whether in support or against, the great measures that have been taken by President Mcnaughton to evaluate what is in the best interest of the student body. He counciled with us on numerous occasions in order to weigh out the facts and do what he felt was best for all the students involved.
His decision to veto the bill did not come because he did not support what the Ballroom Dance Company hopes to accomplish but he felt that the student body would be best served if both governing bodies were to bear the financial responsibility of the Ballroom Dance Company's needs. Although I may not agree with the decision to veto the bill, I agree with the process, and that John was elected President of the Student body for his ability to make rational judgements during difficult times. His recommendation to the Senate and the assembly is in support of the bill being filled in its entirety of $7,654, just in a different way.
Now it is up to the elected officials of the Senate and the Assembly to determine how that way will be. These students senators have come to us for answers, they have emailed us, and asked questions that I believe has done a great thing in that it has given each of them the opportunity to find out why Blackpool is so special and why it means so much for us to go there. Even though we have to spend time answering questions and emails and interviews, the ultimate result is a positive one because now everyone will know how hard the Ballroom Dance Company members work to accomplish things such as Blackpool. It is a special thing that takes a very special kind of dedication and I hope with all my heart that we can accomplish this massive goal and raise what we need as a means to represent SUU as the oustanding and incredible University that it is.
I know that is what the assembly saw in us and I hope and believe that the Senators will see that same vision. This is more then a competition and a performance tour. This is a chance for the Ballroom Dance Company and it's participating students to accomplish something monumental in the fourteen year history of this program. With such an accomplishment as competing at Blackpool, students throughout the state of Utah and elsewhere who are interested in Ballroom Dance will be able to look to SUU as an opportunity to receive an incredible education while continuing to pursue their passion of Ballroom Dance.
Many of you may know that the Wasatch Front, where the large majority of the SUU body origante from, has the largest percentage of amatuer ballroom dancers in the world. There are several High School ballroom dance programs such as, Alta, Timpview, Timpanogas, Orem, Provo, Lone Peak,Mountain View, Lehi and American Fork high schools. All of which have several performance teams and classes where hundreds of students participate every semester. Also, programs have begun in middle schools due to the tremendous amount of interest.
The biggest ballroom dance program in the State is through BYU seconded only by UVU. Out of all of these students in high school, up until two years ago these two universities were their only options for students to continue to dance and pursue their passion. Now SUU has the chance to put themselves on the level with these two programs. Each of these two University Programs attend Blackpool regularly. BYU and UVU attend Blackpool every 3 years. Now SUU has the chance to compete with these major programs. SUU ballroom dance company has a touring program that typically reaches more then 50 cities annually. Over the course of a year the Ballroom Dance Company will have more the 10,000 people attend one of their numerous events such as Dancing with the Stars, Fear Factor, Performance shocases, workshops or touring shows.
We feel blessed to have been able to accomplish many things over the past two years and we KNOW that it is through the support of the students, the faculty and staff, the student government and especailly the CPVA that have enabled us to succeed.
Ballroom Dance has grown at SUU and is now a thriving program that we hope serves not only the desires for students to ballroom dance but serves SUU as a whole is providing quality entertainment at SUU functions as well as supporting the recruitment and retention needs of the University.
# posted by : 1:02 AM
I think it is wise of President McNaughton to veto this Bill, so that the Senate can help with part of the Bill. This is a benefit that not only the Clubs on campus benefit from, but the different Colleges as well. Prospective students will see this opportunity that the BDC is getting and might want to attend SUU for this possibility of being apart of the BDC when they enroll at SUU. These can be future Education majors,Business majors and PVA majors. These can also be future members to the other Clubs on campus. If anyone had an understanding of what the purpose of this particular veto was about, then all the complaining would probably be less than it is now. There was a blog that compared the amount raised by each BDC member for a New York trip($2000). I think this is valid, because a trip to England is more expensive and more should be covered by each member;unless there is a set dollar amount that each member is required to put forth each year for an Annual Big Tour. I think this trip is important for the growth of the BDC and will hopefully help with its future growth. I also think the last post by the BDC Director was a total 180 from his last post. The second post had a kinder, gentler tone to it.The first post was very defensive and attacking.His points were stated,but it seemed very unprofessional. I can understand his frustration, but like he said himself "I agree with the process". I hope the BDC gets the Full amount they asked for. It would be beneficial to all if it was split between the Senate and CSI, because Clubs, as well as the Colleges on campus, would benefit from this exposure.
# posted by : 1:18 PM
I would just like to state that as a co-sponsor to this bill i too was shocked when i was first told of the veto. But I understand that president McNaughtan did it in the best interest of the student body. And not because of a "lack of confidence" in the assembly. And I urge the senate to pass the bill for their half. And the Assembly to pass a bill for their half.
Furthermore, for all of these comments that are so terribly misinformed. I invite you to attend some of Assembly's and Senate's meetings. So that you can become more informed on the issues and voice your opinion to people who can do something about it, when they can do something about it.
- A&E Delegate Brandon Larsen
# posted by : 10:42 PM
Personal attacks upon responsible individuals from both the ballroom team and SUUSA are unnecessary and petty. If you are to post something of significance, please post a mature and informed comment.
To me, SUUSA President McNaughten did the right thing. Student fees should be distributed to all clubs that stand in need of it. The question at hand is should Ballroom receive 16% of the total budget from clubs and student involvement. Maybe they should and it won't break the budget. But the Veto was justified. There is a fine line between supporting a club in competition and supporting their vacation or leisure time in England.
One important fact that uninformed posters seemed to ignore is that the ballroom members are to contribute a significant amount of money from their own pocket in order to go on this trip to compete. This is commendable and I feel that they are doing more than their part in order to obtain school funds. I think they deserve the opportunity to compete. I hope the investigation carried out by the Senate for this bill will determine whether or not $8,000 is fair to give to one club.
Whether or not the money is given, I trust the judgment and responsibility of our elected officials in Senate and our SUUSA President.
# posted by : 9:51 AM
From investigation I have learned that the Ballroom Dance Team traveled to Germany a couple of years ago at a cost of $1,300 per traveler.
Checking flights on Travelocity Friday for dates in May from Las Vegas to Manchester England were $935 (the bill shows $1,500 per person)
The Ballroom Dance company has raised $23,500 - the rest of the raised funds are actually contributions by individual team members.
Nowhere except Wikipedia (which is not considered a news source) indicates that this performance is 'the most prestigious'.
Of the $261 that each student pays in course fees, $48 goes to Athletics and only $26.50 goes to student government.
Jon McNaughton only vetoed the bill in order to have the funds distributed across Assembly and Senate so as to not have an undue financial burden on Assembly and to not have a great percentage of their budget benefit 1 club. This shows great fiscal responsibility.
# posted by SenatorHunter : 10:27 AM
I would also like to voice my support for President McNaughtan. To Adam H, grow up. Namecalling is not appropriate. To Rick, having discussed with Jon during the time of the decision making, let me assure you that his decision did not come because someone complained. His job is tonest represent the students and be is. After all, you elected him. By your vote, or by your inaction.
# posted by : 11:18 AM
I think it's great that ballroom dance team wants to show off SUU amazing talent. When less then 10% of the students are getting involutes and wanting to better their education by going to competitions and conferences. How can anyone be upset about this bill? The money is there and no one else is asking for it. I say give it all to them with a big "thank you" for getting off there butts and doing something. Every one else, get involved before complaining that never helps!
# posted by : 1:11 PM
No one can reasonably say that it would be a bad thing for a group of dancers to attend a dance competition. The problem is, however, when the dancers rely on others to pay for part of the trip. As a student who is not in the ballroom program, I can logically conclude that any benefit to me from that trip is negligible. SUU gains notoriety on the international scene? That boils down to a couple people in England remembering that that one SUU team was pretty good. That's a PROFOUND impact on my educational experience. Possible recruits for the ballroom program? Pointless...you can recruit people in Utah for less money. Further, any new ballroom recruits will just increase the cost of future ballroom endeavors, so its a vicious cycle that robs me of my student fees every year. So, while I do not disagree that the ballroom team should go and dance their hearts out wherever they please, they should fund every cent of it on their own. Use my money for something that would remotely benefit me, or at least SUU as a whole. I commend Jon McNaughton for his attempts at compromise; however, I feel this issue demands a firm "Nay!" from our Senate, as they uphold their oaths to serve the students and not just the ballroom team.
# posted by : 3:04 PM
Doing research on the Bill, I learned that if this competition is so important then how come BYU only attends this competition about every other year. BYU is known to have the best Ballroom Dance Company in Utah, and they don't attend Blackpool England every year, why must we attend Blackpool to get our name out and make our Ballroom Dance Company better? How does it make it better?
# posted by : 3:07 PM
Here is a magazine source other than Wikipedia stating that the Blackpool Competition is prestigious:
"The biggest and most prestigious event of a ballroom dancer's calendar, the British Open Championships, better known as the Blackpool Dance Festival, is a captivating experience for any kind of dancer." Dance Magazine, Sept. 1994 Juliet Pospielovsky.
# posted by Stewart : 3:38 PM
By reading one of the comments I also researched UVU's Ballroom Dance company to find their entire schedule for the year. The farthest away UVU is traveling this year for their competition is Massachusetts and New York. They aren't traveling out of the country. Why should SUU? If other universities aren't attending and are still growing why should we. Regardless, SUU BDC will still grow even if they don't go to Blackpool England.
# posted by : 3:41 PM
Last year they only had to pay $1000 each I was misinformed, sorry about that.
# posted by : 10:18 AM
I must just quickly say that I think many are missing the mark here in my opinion. The money for Assembly and Senate are to benefit those that ask for it and those that are involved.
We are not BYU, and we are not UVU. I am proud of this. This is why I came to SUU. There is an opportunity to give some the chance to really do something wonderful. My club does not need the money, and many others do not either. Ballroom does, and I again am so glad to have them go and represent me.
I believe it will help recruitment as well. We are a small school, and at a small school you get opportunities that you can't at a big school. I hope it could be said that at SUU there are organizations that try to give opportunities like no other university in the nation. SUUSA has a chance to be that organization right now.
# posted by : 5:23 PM
I would like to add my voice to the complete support of the Ballroom Blackpool Bill. In my investigation and in speaking to members of the Ballroom team, I know that this bill will not only be a great opportunity for the team, but for SUU as a whole. They will be putting SUU on the world stage. Many of senate's bills are funded on the phisosphy that they are a great marketing opportunity for the school and student body as a whole. This bill is the epitome of that philosophy. An argument that I have heard many times against this bill is that Ballroom should aspire to go to this competition, but not for a long time. Others say that they should wait to go until they are good enough to win, and that senate should not fund a "losing" team. This is rude and insulting. It is not the policy of SUU or senate for students to come here to aspire to their dreams...some other time. That is asonine. And even if they do not place first, we should still wholly support them in their efforts to do so. When the football team loses or any other team, the student body still cheers them on and encourages them and supports them. There is no reason this should not be the case for Ballroom, or any other team on campus.
This is a great bill and well deserved. I encourage all to research the facts before they voice harsh opinions or make a decision about this bill.
# posted by : 9:12 PM
I spoke with a member of an old UVSC team who had the opportunity to compete in Blackpool a few years ago. He told me that is was a priceless experience. He also told me that he and every member of the team spent $2,500 each just to go on the tour. He also said that he had to pay for the bulk of his food. I also understood that the UVSC’s ballroom team struggled to get support from their university. They were able to get support by competing in the States and having their team and individuals place in state side competitions.
# posted by : 11:31 AM
Gosh I can't believe you guys passed this
# posted by : 10:01 AM
Gosh I can't believe you guys didn't pass this for the full amount!
# posted by : 5:24 PM
My favorite part of the meeting was when that one senator was bagging on the Ballroom Company about doing more US competitions and then they walked in with like 50 trophies. LOL. Guess the message didn’t get across.
# posted by : 7:03 PM
I think they had those trophies made last week at Gem Awards.
# posted by : 7:09 PM
I can’t believe anyone would ever not fund a competition because they weren’t sure if the team would win. When did any of the Senators become professional ballroom dancers and have the knowledge to make such an evaluation? Seems to me that the Ballroom Dancers have a leader who has been to this competition and has the knowledge and skill to get them there. If he believes and his students believe then it baffles me why senate wouldn’t be all about supporting that. Anyway, even if they were as bad as the senators made them out to be, they can’t be any worse then the football team that we send to Air Force to get our butts pummeled. If our philosophy is to only send winning teams then would SUU ever go anywhere, with anything? Don’t see anyone complaining about ½ million dollars of student fees that go towards losing teams all year long. But we keep giving them the money and encouraging them to go. Seems a little hypocritical.
# posted by : 7:18 PM
I'd support funding the BDC trips if it was full contact Ball Room Dancing. I know the athletic angle always comes up into play when people talk about issues like this, but it won't change a thing to cry about supporting struggling athletic teams. By the way our T-Birds won tonight. Plus other sports have been pretty competitive here at SUU. I think it would be wrong to have Senators not voting on a bill because they think someone would be unsuccessful. If that was the case, then all the bills for academic competitions and conferences would not past. I still think that BDC should have some year round fundraising and some local sponsorships for their main competition performances(They Might Have This Already). I also think they can put together a Ballroom Dance competition for High School Ballroom Clubs throughout the State to come to SUU and participate in and use it as a recruiting tool. Does the CPVA allocate some funds to the BDC, besides student fees for classes in their College. Do the Club members pay any monthly or semester dues? Go-T-Birds!!!!!!!!!
# posted by : 9:58 PM