A capella groups can charge only $2

The Student Activities Council Finance Committee decided last Thursday that University a capella groups must lower the admission to their performances from $5 to $2, sparking threats that some groups will withdraw from the umbrella group. SAC Finance also mandated that a capella groups would only receive SAC funding for one night of performance each semester, although most groups currently hold at least two shows. Seven a capella groups currently receive SAC grants, but Counterparts President Sean Aherne said yesterday he thinks some groups may withdraw from the organization, which funds undergraduate student groups at the University. Aherne said that by making a capella groups lower their admission fees, SAC is contributing to the ongoing problem that groups have in funding their performances, such as finding adequate performance space. "If the groups can't [afford to reserve] another night for a second performance, then there will be more of a problem," he said. But SAC Chairperson Brandon Fitzgerald said yesterday that SAC, in fact, pays for the overhead charges of a capella groups. He said that the $5 admissions fees, therefore, are mostly profit for the singers. "If students knew where the majority of their money was going in this instance, they'd be very concerned," Fitzgerald said. "It came to our attention last spring that some a capella groups were abusing revenues by excessive travel, including traveling to foreign countries." SAC Finance Committee Chairperson Grace Esteban said that any group that does not comply with the new performance guidelines will lose SAC funding for the rest of the year, but said the group would still be SAC-recognized. College junior Aherne said he plans to organize a meeting of the a capella groups later this week to discuss what actions each group will take. According to Tamar Climan, chairperson of the Performing Arts Council, Pennsylvania 6-5000 still intends to charge $5 for admission to their fall show. Dave Ragsdale, Business Manager of Chord On Blues, says the $2 rule will be especially troublesome for his group. Their fall show will be shared with Quaker Notes and, as a result, their profits will be halved. "I'd much rather not have to pull out of SAC," the College junior said. "[SAC] is very convenient for groups to reserve space and to set up accounts." Ragsdale also said that he thinks some groups will withdraw from SAC. "I think SAC serves to support and promote student activites," Ragsdale said last night. "If a whole section feels the need to withdraw, then someone is doing something wrong." Wharton senior Fitzgerald said SAC did not pass the new rule to hurt a capella groups, but to benefit the student body. "I think $2 ticket prices will give students the freedom to experiment and to see groups they are not familiar with," he said. Chord on Blues President Dave Ellison said he does not know of any precedent of SAC controlling ticket prices. "I haven't found anything in [SAC] Guidelines that says they have the right to mandate prices," the College senior said. Esteban said, however, that SAC guidelines give the Finance Committee the right to set standards for all groups. She said SAC's rule is intended to keep a capella groups in line with the other PAC groups. Climan said she tried to negotiate a compromise with Fitzgerald and Esteban last week. "I think the situation is unfortunate but I think I did the best I could," College senior Climan said yesterday. "I do represent other groups than the a capella groups and I don't want to ruin PAC's relationship with SAC."

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