Editor,
The KSU Marching Band is in turmoil this week following a decision from the Privilege Fee Committee to cut the band’s funding. This is not the final decision, but it is still a blow to our K-State Bands.
The KSUMB is a service organization in a sense. We are serving the students when we perform at games and other pep rally events. We are serving the community when we march in parades or provide pep bands on gamedays. We are serving the university when perspective students come to see us at an afternoon rehearsal during their visit to K-State. We provide a positive image for the university – and we do it all because we love band, and we are proud to serve our university.
Our bands are student driven; we play for the students, we are the students, and we need student support. Students and alumni are joining together in many ways to show support. A Web site, http://www.keepthepride.com, and a Facebook group, “Save the K-State Marching Band,” have been set up for the public to view.
These were created so students may not only show support for the Band Program, but that they may also have the opportunity to understand the allocation of their student privilege fee dollars.
The K-State Band Program already has the lowest budget in the Big 12 Conference. Despite the low budget we still have one of the most respected and highly talented marching bands.
The proposal on the table, according to the Privilege Fee Committee, is to cut the current $146,057 to $140,000 in Fiscal Year 2010, down to $70,000 in FY 2011, and then to $0 in FY 2012, thereby cutting the Band Program funding completely from privilege fees.
The proposal to cut the band program’s funding will be introduced to the Student Senate today. Student support is strongly encouraged at the open period of this meeting so that our voices are heard.
The Senate meets at 7 p.m. in the Big 12 Room on the second floor of the K-State Student Union. If you are reading this letter, have an appreciation for who and what the Marching Band is to this university, and would like to support the cause, you are encouraged attend the meeting tonight.
See you there.
Ryan Bradley
graduate student in software engineering
KSUMB alumnus