Letter to the editor: Tiger Pep Band did not misuse funds
Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: Opinion
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Ed.'s note: This letter is in response to a May 2 article entitled, "Student Congress' allocations explained."
In the article the Tiger Pep Band is used as an example of organizations misusing funds, citing the band's trip to Memphis, Tenn. Student Congress vice-president of finance Ian MacLeod has assured members of the band that some of his comments were taken out of context. Regardless of whether MacLeod or the reporter is responsible for the statements, I feel that it is necessary to respond to the comments as printed, which I believe misrepresent the conduct of the band.
The Tiger Pep Band has traveled to Memphis for the past five years to support DePauw's teams in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament. In the past three years, the band has served as the official tournament band. This means that the band performs at all games, even those not involving DePauw teams.
That's 14 games in three days, including two locations simultaneously during the first round. The band brings music, spirit, and support to our teams and fans. While the band certainly can't take credit for the success of our teams on the court, we hope that we can provide a taste of home and rally extra excitement for the big games.
The trip is admittedly expensive, but the band takes great effort in controlling these costs. The band does not stay in fancy hotels and puts great effort into finding the cheapest hotel in a safe location. Only a small portion of the allocation funds are spent on food for the band.
The SCAC provides most of the funds for the band's food in return for serving as the official tournament band. University policy regarding out-of-state trips requires a student organization of our size to travel by chartered bus. Unfortunately, with rising gas prices, this expense has increased in recent years. The band can do little to control this cost, though the band did switch to a cheaper company and use a smaller bus this year to reduce costs.
The use of allocation funds for the trip should come as no surprise to the Allocations Board. The band has annually requested funds specifically for the trip to Memphis. In fact, it is the only financial request that the band makes for the spring semester. The funds the Allocations Board has approved cannot have been understood to be intended for any other purpose.
Lastly, this trip is not exclusive. Membership in the band is open to all DePauw students. Even non-musicians may join the band as Tiger Maniacs. The Tiger Pep Band is there to support DePauw's teams from the beginning - long before the student body finally fills Neal Fieldhouse for a Sweet 16 game. I hope that the band will again have the opportunity exude TIGER PRIDE in Memphis next year when DePauw defends their conference crowns.
Brian Winstead, senior
In the article the Tiger Pep Band is used as an example of organizations misusing funds, citing the band's trip to Memphis, Tenn. Student Congress vice-president of finance Ian MacLeod has assured members of the band that some of his comments were taken out of context. Regardless of whether MacLeod or the reporter is responsible for the statements, I feel that it is necessary to respond to the comments as printed, which I believe misrepresent the conduct of the band.
The Tiger Pep Band has traveled to Memphis for the past five years to support DePauw's teams in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament. In the past three years, the band has served as the official tournament band. This means that the band performs at all games, even those not involving DePauw teams.
That's 14 games in three days, including two locations simultaneously during the first round. The band brings music, spirit, and support to our teams and fans. While the band certainly can't take credit for the success of our teams on the court, we hope that we can provide a taste of home and rally extra excitement for the big games.
The trip is admittedly expensive, but the band takes great effort in controlling these costs. The band does not stay in fancy hotels and puts great effort into finding the cheapest hotel in a safe location. Only a small portion of the allocation funds are spent on food for the band.
The SCAC provides most of the funds for the band's food in return for serving as the official tournament band. University policy regarding out-of-state trips requires a student organization of our size to travel by chartered bus. Unfortunately, with rising gas prices, this expense has increased in recent years. The band can do little to control this cost, though the band did switch to a cheaper company and use a smaller bus this year to reduce costs.
The use of allocation funds for the trip should come as no surprise to the Allocations Board. The band has annually requested funds specifically for the trip to Memphis. In fact, it is the only financial request that the band makes for the spring semester. The funds the Allocations Board has approved cannot have been understood to be intended for any other purpose.
Lastly, this trip is not exclusive. Membership in the band is open to all DePauw students. Even non-musicians may join the band as Tiger Maniacs. The Tiger Pep Band is there to support DePauw's teams from the beginning - long before the student body finally fills Neal Fieldhouse for a Sweet 16 game. I hope that the band will again have the opportunity exude TIGER PRIDE in Memphis next year when DePauw defends their conference crowns.
Brian Winstead, senior
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