Photo by: Denver.org
An Environmental Sustainability Committee member appeared before the USG before spring break to issue a statement about the recent vote to overturn the $23,000 in funding for the Flobots concert which was scheduled for April 22.
Megan Marshall, a DU student, appeared before the USG after the senators voted on March 1 to overturn the Environmental Sustainability Committee’s decision on Feb. 28 to fund a Flobots concert she had organized to help promote environmental sustainability as part of Earth Month.
“I’m heartbroken about the whole thing,” said Marshall.
The $18,000 in funding was originally intended to pay for the Flobots, while another $5,000 was meant to pay for carbon credits from Earth Era, the audio and sound system and printing of the tickets, which were intended to be free to students.
In a prepared statement, Marshall said that the she had worked to organize the concert in an effort to appeal to a new demographic of students and provide an avenue for them to learn about sustainability. She said that the concert was intended to have greater appeal to students from all over campus, rather than just students who always attend environmental sustainability events.
“It is impossible to measure the value of inspiring students through the power of music,” said Marshall. “Instead of leading the way in new efforts to promote sustainability, I fear DU will be taking a back seat.”
Jim Francescon, president of the USG, said that venue for the concert, Driscoll Ballroom, would only have been able to hold approximately 300 students.
“Students pay an activity fee for better investments,” said Francescon. “It would be better use of student money to pay for things such as recycle bins, more efficient water taps and e-cubes [which help regulate energy usage in the walk-in refrigerators located around campus].”
Marshall asked that the USG reconsider the issue for next year. The Flobots, a band who promote environmental sustainability, said they are “dedicated to social action, change and thought.”
The Flobots concert will not happen as a part of April’s Green Month, but other events such as the Earth Month Carnival, scheduled for April 1, and the second annual Earth Day Summit, scheduled for April 22, will still occur as planned.
