SAC allows $5 entrance for concerts

The Student Activities Council's general body voted to reallow a cappella groups to charge five dollars as admission to their performances last night at the final SAC meeting of the semester. And, according to the passed motion, instead of limiting the price of tickets, the SAC Finance Commitee will now review the amount of money the body gave each group earlier this year when it thought the singing groups' revenue would be based on the lower admission price. Although performing arts groups may now charge five dollars -- instead of the two dollars recommended by SAC Finance earlier this semester -- the groups charging the higher price will have their budgets will re-evaluated by SAC Finance. Finance representatives said last night that the groups may be entitled to less SAC funding if they receive more revenues from five dollar tickets. A cappella groups that charge two dollars in the future will be able to keep their allocated SAC monies without further review. This decision makes permanent the temporary decision made at last month's SAC meeting, but includes the new stipulations. Performing arts groups' representatives said last night that they doubt that any of the seven independent a cappella groups will charge less than five dollars for their shows. "We're certainly not going to charge two dollars," said Counterparts President Sean Aherne, who spoke at the meeting last night on behalf of his organization. Aherne, a College junior, said he expects "a lot more debate" on the issue once the finance committee reviews the a cappella groups' budgets. Chord on Blues President David Elson, who also spoke before the SAC body, said that a cappella groups "certainly will accept this" decision. "[This is] really the only fair way to deal with this issue," the College senior said after the vote. "We'd like as much freedom as possible in determining our own finances." Prior to last night's meeting, Performing Arts Council President Tamar Climan and other PAC representatives met with SAC leaders but could not come to a resolution. During the debate, SAC officers maintained that a cappella groups could financially survive charging only two dollars per ticket. "Two dollars gives them the ability not to go into debt," newly elected SAC Finance Chairperson Michael Graves said at the meeting. But SAC Chairperson Brandon Fitzgerald, who is also a member of the Inspiration, said that the general body's decision "makes sense." "I wish ticket prices weren't so high," said Fitzgerald, a College senior. "[But] at least the student body isn't being double charged."