Editorials | Opinion

Editorial

Posted on March 27, 2006, at 12:00 a.m.

Committee decides to rock UMaine

For the first time in years, the Bumstock committee made a tough decision that benefits UMaine students. They decided to divert a significant portion of the Bumstock budget to bring mtvU’s Campus Invasion to UMaine.

Declining attendance and rising costs have put the university behind the eight ball on the issue of Bumstock. Each year more and more students complain that it is a huge disappointment, yet they will also complain if it is disbanded. This is a step in the right direction: the phasing-out.

The decision to send concert money elsewhere will diminish Bumstock, that’s for sure. But this money will be sent to a better-organized and more-experienced staff that knows how to plan a concert. Besides, a concert is a concert, who cares what banner it’s under?

Admitting that someone else can do it better was a bitter pill for the Bumstock committee to swallow, but it was a decision made with the students in mind.

Orono Town Council makes a compromise

Disappointment followed the Orono Town Council election results with students fearing that their opinions and wishes would continue to be disregarded in a town where they make up about half the voting population. Three UMaine students were defeated in their bids for council seats after the Town Council’s decisions threatened to close a popular venue for student entertainment.

In light of recent events centering on the power struggle between UMaine students and the residents of Orono, the revival of the UMaine Relations Committee is one welcomed step towards a more harmonious relationship between the two groups.

Open communication is important and having this, hopefully enduring venue for discussion, will help to avert future discontent and misunderstandings. In subsequent years it may be advantageous to allow students to make the decision of which students will sit on the panel to represent them as well.

Campus Currents: Bumstock