The Cadre + 22 September 1998

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UPEI News 3

Solicitation banned from the university

Political and commercial groups prohibited in the Breezeway

BY ERIN FAGAN

According to a potential UPEI policy, political parties and commercial interests may no longer be allowed to set up in either the Breezeway or the Impressions Cafe (formerly "the Pit").

According to Matt Gray, UPEI Student Union president, the university and the council have come to joint agreement on this issue.

“We want no perception of having any political ties [as a university],” he said.

Now any political parties who wish to either recruit or to distribute information may be obligated to have a representa- tive of at least one other party present (for example, in the form of a debate). Commer- cial ventures, such as credit card companies or such groups as the Imaginus poster com- pany, might be stationed in the

arn.

Concern was raised by some students on campus who wished to form a Young Re- formers group oncampus early this year. When they attem to book the Breezeway for a related event, they were told they could not as they were a political group. Problems also came up while attempting to finda venue for three Reform Members of Parliament. The politicians had been invited to speak at a lec- ture by the department of po- litical studies. (Ed. Note: one of the MPs did not make it to the event)

“I have never heard in North America of a campus restricting youth inany way .. touse the facilities,”said Jason Kenney, one of the young reform MPs who vis- ited the campus last week.

“The more information you have, the more encom- passing and wide-ranging edu- cation you will have,” said Rahim Jaffer, the other Re- form MP who was in attend- ance. |

Jaffer went on to say

that it was smart for adminis- tration to stay neutral, but that it would be important to “invite the greater public” to become informed on campus. As for the idea of having more than one party on campus at once, he had further comment. “Debate is useful, as long as it can be properly moder- ated. But in individual infor-

mation sessions, you would not see the showmanship that can be seen [between parties in debates].”

Gray stressed that par- ties were not entirely banned from campus, but that they would receive limited expo- sure.

“A political organization

can book a room in the Robertson Library ef a Student Development],” he said.

Gray also divulged a fur- ther issue concerning commu- nity groups in the breezeway.

“(UPEI President] Dr. Heider would like to see the Breezeway cut off [from so-

licitors] to reduce congestion, but it is the Student Union’s position to keep it open tocom- munity groups,” Gray said. UPEI President, Dr. Lawrence Heider, could not be reached for comment in time for this publication. The next Cadre will feature more information on this issue.

Student Union calls on support of students for UPEI's biggest concert in years

BY BRODY MORRISON

The UPEI Student Un- ion has invested several thou- sand dollars on what has been billed as UPEI’s biggest con- cert ever.

The many complaints that big name bands never come to UPEI have been heard by SU Vice President of Operations, Tyler Dougan. During the summer, Dougan att a conference at which he was approached by . a called The Agency got Dougan Senented te the big concert which is oing to hit UPEI this W y, fea- turing Big Sugar, The Mat- thew Good Band, and Pluto.

But these higher profile bands do Se money in ;

Weare notexpecting to make any money on this con- cert,” said Dougan. He main- tains that this concert is for the students, and that he hoped the students will show s of these efforts by purchasing tickets.

Dougan also points out that if the concert does not go over well that the Barn will not host as many concerts or events during the rest of the year. Dougan was reluctant to reveal exactly how much the Student Union invested into

this event, but did say that it

was between $15 000 and $17 000.

The concert, which is slated for Wednesday evening, is exclusive to individuals over 19 years of age. This has caused some dissension among many UPEI students, in that they would go to the concert, but that they are not permitted to because of their age.

These under aged stu- dents have expressed concern about the concert, as they pay student fees to help administer such an event.

“I really wanted to go, and so did four of my friends,” said one student. “But I guess we'll just go to a movie or something instead”

The decision to have the event as "wet" only was not solely that of the Student Un- ion, as the Big Sugar tour is sponsored by Belvedere Rock, a company which stipulates that ticket-buyers must be in the age of majority to attend.

Dougan insists that the concert will succeed despite the exclusion of under aged students nonetheless.

Students and sub-organi-

zations of the student union alike have been watching the development of the concert quite closely. “What will happen to the

money that's lost ifthe concert does not go over well” asked one student. “Where will the Union make up for the lost money?”

Dougan assures that lost money, if any, will be “reallo- cated [within the budget] to make up for the loss”. There may be fewer concerts and events at the Barn as a result, but sub-organizations will be

safe from cuts this year. Dougan points out that other big name willcome

to UPEI if the concert goes

well, and that the SU is really

pene Ne students what they ve

asking for. At the

On Wednesday, September 23rd, the UPEI Student Union Ivedere Rock tour eae

will host the

same time, they are supporting Canadian talent.

As of Friday afternoon, the Student Union had approxi- mately 250 tickets of the | 500 that need to be sold to break even. Dae is hoping that students will show their sup- port and that ticket sales for the concert have been strong at other outlets around Charlottetown.

The show will be Sep- tember 23 at the UPEI Sports Centre. Tickets can be bought at the Student Union, and are $12 for students and $15 for non-students.

Big Sugar,

Pluto and Matthew Good band at the UPE! a Centre