LETTER: Drag queens being discussed

Editor,

The Student Activity Board (STAB) would like to address the issue of Mardi Gras 2005. Since our Feb. 5 activity, we have received many comments from students, faculty, staff and parents concerning the nature and choice of certain entertainers – particularly the drag queen shows.

The mission of STAB as a branch of the Associated Students of Utah State University (ASUSU) is to enhance the quality of student life through activities. We creatively challenge ourselves to take new perspectives, take risks, and listen to progressive ideas.

We felt that inviting drag queens met these criteria and was in the spirit of Utah State University’s Mardi Gras tradition. However, we did not anticipate the reaction their performance would generate.

We understand the disapproval and opinions associated with this activity and feel it is our responsibility to address these and take appropriate actions.

We are taking the responses about this activity, both positive and negative, very seriously and are discussing ways to improve STAB sponsored events.

The responses from this activity have helped us to look at our job responsibilities in a different light and take the appropriate steps to better cater to our student audience.

We appreciate the feedback and openly accept any other comments you may have. We feel it is conversations such as this that help us program better activities to fit the needs and wants of the student body and our constituents.

Nick Robbins

ASUSU and STAB