Program’s bright past could be the end of prolific speakers such as B.B. King, Ann Coulter
A budget cut for the Cultural Events Board on campus could mean a shortage of guest speakers vital to new perspectives on campus.
This Thursday, UCSU will decide on a possible budget cut affecting the Cultural Events Board. CEB could lose $8,000 to $20,000 that would normally go toward guest speakers and other events.
“It certainly could make or break bringing in a speaker, because they try to spend their money down to the last dollar,” said the Assistant Director of Student Organizations Finance Office Norman Skarstad.
Norman works closely with CEB and helps organize events from the financial end.
“CEB is something for the students that can help enrich and diversify the campus. Our job is to help facilitate that and make it easier to let them do what they want to do,” Skarstad said.
CEB’s history with the university spans 60 years, and they have hosted speakers such as B.B. King, Ann Coulter and recently Gideon Yago of MTV.
CEB’s main focus for CU and students is to promote cultural dialogue, but not just limited to ethnic cultures, said CEB Chairman Israel Garcia.
“We like to put emphasis on the power of student groups to have the recognition they deserve, but budgets limit how far we can reach because the more financial ability, the more people we can reach, especially on issues of cultural relevance,” Garcia said.
Garcia said CEB works with about $500,000 to sponsor various groups on campus who want to promote topics relevant to their mission statements.
The Muslim Students Association recently worked with CEB for Islamic Awareness Week. Kelly Brewer, a sophomore international affairs major, helped plan events as a member of the group.
“There is a big misconception of Islam, and we love CEB because they helped to fund us to bring in speakers to talk about the stereotypes,” Brewer said.
The price range for each speaker runs from $12,000 to $190,000, depending on how high profile they are.
There are four to five boards that deal with life on campus and how to address issues to make it better for students.
Skarstad said if there are budget cuts for CEB, students will have to expect fewer discussions about cultural issues that may be relevant to CU students.
“I think CEB is a huge part on the CU campus. They opened my mind when I attended here and they can do that for so many other people,” Skarstad said.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Renee Tavera at renee.tavera@thecampuspress.com.
