I'm writing in response to Tom Cooke's article on entertainment in East Lansing ("Student-E.L. residents left with few sober entertainment options" SN 5/31). As a student employee of Wharton Center, I was disappointed and shocked to read that "students can't afford to go to the Wharton much."

This past year, Wharton has worked to develop new ticket pricing to make attractions affordable for students. For $15, less than the price of a movie for two, you could have come and seen any of the non-Broadway attractions at Wharton Center. For only $10 more, you could have seen any Broadway show, including "Movin' Out" and "The Producers."

Jason Mraz, Jimmy Eat World, Ani DiFranco and Dane Cook were also some other affordable attractions that were either at Wharton Center or the Auditorium. A $15.00 ticket is an incredible discount, so I don't know why Tom Cooke would feel that the prices here are unreasonable and expensive. Wharton Center has even eliminated "student ticket day," making these discounts available every day of the year. Students have always been welcomed and encouraged to attend any one of the approximately 60 attractions offered, totaling more than 112 performances, at Wharton each year. Wharton Center is an invaluable venue that brings world-class performers to the MSU community at an affordable price.

John A. Gilmour
general management and theater senior