April 1, 2004                                                                                        60LCB#13 ACE Fee

 

Sponsored by:                                      Richard Murray                        Tri-Executive

                                                            Eugene Pearson                        Legislative Council VP

 

Authored by:                                        Richard Murray                        Tri-Executive

 

ARTS AND CULTURAL ENRICHMENT FEE

Bill History

 

The arts at the University of Colorado at Boulder have suffered serious budget reductions in recent years. In order to maintain excellence the Arts and Cultural Enrichment Fee was instituted as a referendum. The ACE Fee of $5.00 per student per semester is currently facing its referenda expiration and needs to be renewed.

 

The ACE Fee benefits not only the arts but also the student body at large. The fee allows for there to be more musical performances, art exhibitions, and theater and dance performances. With the fee many events are free for CU students to attend and more accessible. The ability to promote these events through advertising is contingent on the money collected from the ACE Fee.

 

If the ACE Fee is not renewed and increased it will have a devastating effect on the arts at the University of Colorado. Many presentations will disappear, including some in Jazz, Opera, music representing diverse cultures, as well as featured art exhibitions, publicity for student shows/presentations. There will be reduced theatre and dance productions, and fewer, or a more expensive to attend Film Series. Ticket charges will rise precipitously for many events and the number of events offered free of charge will diminish considerably.

 

An increase to the fee will allow for the arts to counteract reductions in budget allocations. There has not been an increase in the fee since 1995. Legislative Council passed resolution 58LCR08 in April of 2003 that recommended that the fee be increased to $7.00 beginning the fall semester of 2004.

 

Bill Summary

 

This bill will pass the ACE fee as an administrative fee voted on by the Legislative Council every four years with the option to go to referenda at any time.

 

THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT,

 

SECTION 1:  In order to support and maintain the arts at CU the an administrative fee which is voted on every four years by the Legislative Council or can go to referendum at any time.

 

SECTION 2:  The Arts and Cultural Enrichment (ACE) Fee is supported by the Legislative Council to allow musical performances, art exhibitions, theatrical productions and a continuation of inexpensive and free admission costs for students at the rate of $10 per student per semester for the next four years.  The fee is to be placed in the student fee package as an administrative fee.

 

SECTION 3:  The ACE fee can at any time after the expiration of the four year period beginning in Fiscal Year 2004-2005 and ending in Fiscal Year 2008-2009 run a referendum for continuation of the ACE fee or pass the fee again through the Legislative Council.

 

SECTION 4:  The UCSU desires collaboration between itself and those in control of the ACE fee dollars.  The ACE fee administrators will present a proposal to the Legislative Council by the third full week of September 2004 with an option on how to coordinate, communicate, and create student accountability for the ACE fee.

 

SECTION 5:  This bill takes effect upon passage by the Legislative Council and upon obtaining the signatures of the Tri-Executives.

4/1/04                                                  Passed                                                             10-3-1

4/8/04                                                  Passed                                                             9-3-2