Women’s Council is lobbying the university’s undergraduate student government to bring Maya Angelou to campus.
The ASMSU Student Assembly will be considering a bill next week that would allocate $25,000 from the ASMSU investment account to cover speaking fees for the renowned author, poet and actress. Angelou is expected to speak April 18, in conjunction with festivities for Take Back the Night which takes place on April 20.
“I would like to create a very positive environment for Take Back the Night and I think Maya would help that a lot,” said Women’s Council representative Melanie Olmsted, who is introducing the measure.
Because of restrictions stated in the ASMSU Code of Operations, Olmsted’s bill will have to waive rules that prevent investment account funds from being spent on events. According to financial guidelines in the code, monies from the account, which amount to about $500,000, can only be used to “purchase equipment or to finance an unexpected budgetary shortfall” experienced by ASMSU.
But, Olmsted said the account money would be backing a worthy investment.
“This is an investment in humanity and hearing the words of a national treasure,” Olmsted said, referring to Angelou. “I think this would be a wonderful thing for the students.”
The $25,000 request is also due to a lack of funds provided by the university, Olmsted said. MSU departments contributing to Angelou’s appearance include Student Life and the Office of the Provost. The total cost is $32,000.
While Olmsted acknowledged Angelou’s appearance may have required more advanced planning, she said this is an opportunity MSU shouldn’t miss.
“Sometimes you can’t (plan ahead), you have to roll with the punches,” Olmsted said. “I wish there was an easier way to do this, but there isn’t.”
Waiving financial guidelines to sponsor student events doesn’t seem to be an unusual occurrence within ASMSU, however.
In September, the Student Assembly allocated $50,000 from the investment account to fund an upscale homecoming concert featuring rap artist Lil’ Kim. But the concert fell through because of difficulties in obtaining insurance and the money was returned to the account.
Still, some ASMSU representatives said they need more time for consideration before making a final decision on the proposal.
“I would consider it,” said Ashley Grieve, a College of Agriculture and Natural Resources representative for the Student Assembly. “There has been a lot of debate on what the investment account should be used for.”
However, other ASMSU officials feel the investment account should serve its intended purpose: Providing a form of insurance for the student government.
“The investment account is there for a reason,” said Shane Waller, Student Assembly vice chairperson for external affairs. “Every organization needs to have something for a rainy day.”
Waller also said the proposal’s approval could start a trend of more events being sponsored, eventually draining the account.
“Sure, having Maya Angelou here would be great, but so would a million other authors,” Waller said. “I am sure other students would have a lot of authors in mind to come and speak.”
