received an email from someone high up in SGA. explained to me they are not trying to get rid of the band but rather make the AD or some other group pay for something that doesn't benefit most the student population.
heres the letter included (its long):
Dear Concerned Students, Parents, Alumni and Friends,
First, we applaud what the K-State Marching Band students contribute year in and year out.
We respect the number of hours spent rehearsing, performing, and working to enhance the
entire organization. We also respect the profound impact that being involved in the band
can have on one's collegiate experience.
There are several factors that came in to play when the K-State Privilege Fee Committee
made its recommendation this week.
The Office of Student Activities and Services compiled a comparison of how other Big 12
schools fund their bands. K-State is one of the only universities that directly contributes
student fee money for the marching band. Other bands receive their budget from a variety
of sources, including their music schools, athletic departments, foundation contributions,
fundraising efforts, university provosts, alumni offices, course fees, and university
president's offices. This is not to say that the K-State band does not already receive
contributions from other sources. Approximately $146,000 of the band budget is provided
by the Privilege Fee. In addition, the band's report to the Privilege Fee Committee includes
additional funding sources as follows:
1. President Wefald's office assists with the stipends for three Graduate Students, a full time
secretary and $20,000.
2. Athletic Department provides for the Assistant Director of Bands' salary ($40,000) and
lunch for the band on football game days.*
3. Fund Raising generates between $5,000 and $15,000 annually (although this year's
efforts have not been as successful due to the failing economy).
*note: additional funding that was not reported to the committee may be contributed by the
Athletic Department
The committee felt that it was best to fund the band at a small decrease for the next fiscal
year, in order to give them more time to find and solidify other sources of funding and make
the necessary changes. The funding will be phased out over the next three fiscal years in
order to help facilitate this transition. The committee decreased funding for FY 2010 by
$6,000, which is the equivalent to the amount of funding that was spent on student awards
at the annual banquet last year. This was recommended because according to state
statutes, no more than $20 can be spent on a student in the form of an award. This was
made explicit in the last review three years ago. However, as reported, awards are
still bought for students using Privilege Fee money, including class rings, engraved name
plates, and blankets, each being reported as costing more than $20 each.
The committee believes that a decrease is necessary because the majority of K-State
students do not receive direct benefits from the band unless they attend athletic or
community sponsored events. The general consensus is that the band is vital to the
university, but that the funding should not continue to come from students that are facing
large increases in the cost of attending K-State. The band students already pay to take the
band course, as well as other costs associated with being involved, i.e. uniform repairs,
meals, travel, etc., not to mention the time commitment necessary for the band to succeed.
The Privilege Fee Committee is made up entirely of K-State students and is uniquely
charged with balancing the needs of K-State service providers and while also keeping the
costs of attending our university as low as possible. The committee has been discussing this
decision for the past three weeks in open meetings, and various leaders in SGA have met
directly with leaders from the band and athletic department.
The allocation for the current fiscal year is $146,057 from Privilege Fees paid for by every
student at K-State. Monday night, the Privilege Fee committee recommended the following
funding decreases for the KSU Bands. In the Fiscal year 2010 the Band would receive
$140,000, in Fiscal Year 2011 the funding would be reduced by 50% to $70,000, and in the
Fiscal Year 2012 the band would be funded $0. At that point, the Band would no longer be
considered a Privilege Fee Agency. This motion passed unanimously (15 to 0) from the
committee.
This recommendation is the first action that has been taken by the K-State Student
Governing Association. The legislation containing the recommended funding decrease will be
introduced to Student Senate this Thursday. The bill will be read and referred back to the
Privilege Fee Committee. At the following Student Senate meeting, SGA members will have
the opportunity to debate for or against the recommended funding prior to a vote. Student
input is welcomed at the next Privilege Fee Committee meeting or during the first open
period at the next Student Senate meeting. It is important to note that no final action has
been taken.
In conclusion, please know that we support K-State students. The committee has made this
recommendation to recognize that band students who already pay to be a part of the band
should not be charged this additional fee, nor should students who area not affiliated with
the band. It cannot be argued that the band does not add to the atmosphere at K-State
athletic events, however, under half of the student body attends athletic events; in
fact, what students pay for football and men's basketball tickets is amongst the highest in
the Big 12 (we know these are not the only events the band performs at, but it is the only
count that we have been given). In the past, the Privilege Fee Committee has given large
increases to fund the needs of the band, but at this time we do not feel that is the
responsibility of K-State students. We are not attempting to eliminate the band. We are
encouraging all involved to understand that student dollars should not be the only answer to
funding an organization that benefits the university and community.
Sincerely,
Lydia Peele
K-State Student Body President
[email protected] Amy Schultz
SGA Student Senate Chair
[email protected] Wayne Stoskopf
K-State SGA Privilege Fee Chair
[email protected] 
