Performing arts leaders say they'll fight banner restrictions

Performing arts leaders this week pledged to fight the University's decision to prevent groups from hanging banners in the plaza in front of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. Performing Arts Council voted overwhelmingly Wednesday night to request money from the Student Activities Council to install banner holders in the plaza, where arts groups frequently sell tickets for their shows. PAC President Stuart Gibbs said that if SAC did not agree to pay for the holders, his group would cover the cost of installation. He added though that PAC member groups would get first priority to use them. Earlier this month, the Office of Student Life began strict enforcement of its policy against hanging banners from trees and lamp posts on Locust Walk and installed pole holders along the Walk. The decision was made in order to prevent further damage to the trees, bushes, and light posts from which students have traditionally hung their banners, administrators said. According to Student Activities Director Francine Walker, who was not directly involved in the administration's decision, holders were not originally installed in the plaza because there are no trip rails on which to attach the holders. She added that any proposal for new holders would have to include the installment of new rails. Gibbs said the placement of existing holders causes unnecessary congestion on the Walk adding that the banners placed there do not attract attention. "There are a lot of places to put banners on Locust Walk except where we actually like to sell tickets," said the College senior. He added that performing arts groups hang approximately 75 percent of the banners on Locust Walk. PAC Executive Secretary David Simon said last night he hoped new holders would be in place before the beginning of November, when the majority of campus shows will begin selling tickets. He estimated that as many as eight productions could sell tickets on any given day later this semester. Simon added that sales on the Walk are vital to getting an audience. "Ticket sales will suffer," said the College senior. "In many cases, 100 percent of a show's sales happen on the Walk."

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