University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, August 18, 1976
One of called Frank city of nat in Chalk
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seen a an ac- americanicians, nining to sic will
SUA still the campus impresario
By SUE WILSON Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Through SUA, students bask under the sun on Padre Island, pedal on a Saturday morning breakfast bike ride or match 'tactics with a chess opponent.
As SUA volunteers, students plan an animated film series, teach classes in gathering wild salad seeds or work the spotlights at a rock concert.
Involving students in a hodgepodge of activities, ROsaite was a senior, SUA president, said.
"in trying to provide as many services to students as possible, we want students involved in both planning and participating," Postma said.
Planning begins in each of nine SUA board areas: fine arts, travel, films, forums, indoor recreation, outdoor recreation, charity, public relations and special events.
Planning and participation by students in special events typifies other board areas.
Thornton Mason, special events board member, is responsible for concerts. He selects artists and plans promotion and production.
He relies on other students for help. A six-member committee on special events is formed and publicity. Student volunteers work as a team and light technicians or ticket takers.
Hosting musicians or working backstage at a concert appeals to many students, Museum staff and visitors.
Mason said, however, that "you-got-to-now-somebody-to-get-into it" policy is doable.
"A lot of students feel they can't work behind the scenes in concerts. It has been difficult in the past, but this year we are holding interviews and limiting the number of times a student may work to once or twice," Mason said.
Mason said his involvement in SUA, which began when he ushered at a Chicago concert, has provided a "super opportunity to get real life experience."
Financing is one such reality experienced by Mason.
Concerts bring in money. A concert may gross as much as $70,000, Mike Mila. SUA
Concerts also lose money. Last October, SUA lost $3,000 on the Benny Goodman homecoming concert, Miller said. Two years ago, SUA lost money on two concerts, Dionne Warwicke and Sly and the Family Stone.
SUA grosses $350,000 to $400,000 annually, Miller said, but spends all it makes. The Union allocates additional funds to be used for recreation. This year its allocation is $292,000.
A large, unexpected loss in one area, such as special events, strains the budget
Mason said problems arose because SUA tried to promote and produce concerts.
Promotion is a risky business. It tempts with large profits but threatens large losses.
and other activities must be curtalled, Miller said.
This year SUA will use an outside promoter for the Oct. 16 Neil Sedaka homecoming concert and for other acts, Mason said. The promoter will buy the act, pay publicity and expenses and absorb any losses.
SUA will produce concerts. They will provide a place, sell tickets and coordinate advertising for a percentage of the gate receipts. They are guaranteed a profit, Mason said, which will be used for the students' benefit.
The "rock 'n' blues" format must be approved by the SUA board.
"We should be able to bring in more acts at a lower cost to the students," Mason said.
Without student interest and involvement, a program stagnates. The canoe club, for example, has no plans for this fall because it is not funded by SUE. SUA programming assistant, said.
The acts brought to KU will place less emphasbs on rock and more emphasbs on peach.
macabre late-night movies to backgammon competition to a five-week program
The nine board members and four officers, students chosen last spring by the Union Memorial Corporation Board of Directors, review the activities planned by special events and other areas and give final approval.
SUA will hold an open house from 10 a.m.
to 4 p. September in the building of
the ACTivities Building.
Besides special events, SUA sponsors a myriad of activities. Offerings range from
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