Council supports one-time band funding

Working to fund the Utah State University Aggie marching band and establish a one-day fall break are two changes the administration supports and hopes to see happen as soon as possible.

After months of preparation, members of ASUSU presented these two pieces of legislation to President Stan Albrecht and other USU administrators Monday morning.

Aside from the support of ASUSU, the band is asking the university administration for $250,000 of one-time money for the 2006 academic school to pay for the cost of new uniforms, instrument replacements and repairs, travel costs and other similar needs.

“We are very supportive of this legislation,” Albrecht said. “One of the challenges here is the need of one-time funding.”

Providing that money and a possible permanent fund for the band would require an increase in the base budget for the university, Albrecht said.

Another option would be to organize a public fundraiser in which students and faculty could get involved.

“I think all of us need to work together to put our best foot forward,” Vice President for Student Services Juan Franco said.

In terms of keeping the Aggie marching band in future years, the university intends to do all in their power to keep it.

“There has been no discussion on eliminating the band,” Albrecht said.

The administrators also discussed when the university could implement a one-day fall break to coincide with the Utah Education Association annual break.

Assistant Provost Stacie Gomm said it will be difficult to coordinate the break with UEA because it is scheduled differently every year.

Albrecht suggested scheduling the break the day before a home football game in an effort to get more students to come.

“We are really struggling to get fans into the stands,” Albrecht said. “If we do this, we”ll have a winning product.”

Although the faculty must have its calendar out three to five years in advance, Gomm said the one-day fall break could still possibly be added for fall semester 2006.

Both pieces of legislation will need to be approved by the administration before it is carried forward.

–mmackay@cc.usu.edu