Letter: Why do we pay UM Productions $5 per student?

For the 2012 fiscal year, UM Productions received $53,793.61. With around 12,000 undergraduate students, that breaks down to roughly $5 a student going to UM Productions.

Why do we pay UM Productions $5 per student?

One might respond: to give students risk-free experience in the entertainment industry. But there are plenty of other opportunities on campus to do this at no cost to the students; UM Entertainment Management, KBGA College Radio 89.9, and the Business Careers in Entertainment Club.

Well those sound great, but why should students expect anything extra from UM Productions?

In the spring of 2011, UC Student Involvement Network, not UM Productions, brought the Blue Scholars to campus. Tickets were $10 for students, $12 for the community. For the Scholars on a regular tour, tickets averaged $20. The UC ate the money it lost for the sole purpose of bringing quality music to students.

Every year, the University of Colorado student programing hosts WelcomeFest. It's a free event, requiring only a student ID to get in. They have had acts like Pretty Lights, Kid Cudi and Atmosphere, all free for students.

I have been through the Entertainment Management program. I have promoted sold-out shows and I have promoted flops. I've never been guaranteed $5 from 12,000 people to put on show.

My issue is, during our four-plus years paying tuition, UM Productions has given us nothing in return. $45 for Miranda Lambert? $45 for Furthur? Who is really going to "Lord of Dance?" And no student discounts? C'mon Man!

I am not asking for a free Pretty Lights or Kid Cudi show, but I am asking that you do something for the students. At this point, I would rather take my $5 to the Top Hat.

Sincerely,

Mac Kelly