University of Colorado Student Union
Legislative Council
February 23, 2009 70LCB08 Theatre
Sponsored by: Ryan Biehle Tri-Executive
Dustin Farivar Tri-Executive
Amie Ha Rep-At-Large
Authored by: Ryan Biehle Tri-Executive
A Bill to Consolidate the Interactive Theatre Project Under One Reporting Structure and Ensure Continued Funding for Five Years
Bill History
The Interactive Theatre Project (ITP) was founded in 1999, with a mission to “use theatre training in building new generations of community leaders, advocates of social justice and ambassadors of civil discourse.” Unique to the University of Colorado, it is the first program of its kind in the United States, and has been nationally recognized for its distinct ability to address issues of social justice with a wide array of audiences, including students and other university and community members. Scripts developed by the program directors and performed by CU students challenge societal norms of racism, gender violence, economic injustice, homophobia, and others to aid audiences in not only understanding these problems, but also realizing their individual power to actively dismantle them. The project is currently a shared endeavor between CU Housing and Dining Services (HDS) and the Community Health program in Wardenburg Health Center (WHC).
In April of 2008, under advisement by Causey Consulting, ITP completed a 5-year strategic plan for growth and program development. With an ever-increasing list of requested performances, it was understood that ITP must establish a direction for growth to ensure continued fulfillment of its mission. This strategic plan includes an aggressive approach to fundraising, with a realizable goal of operating under a budget of $5 million. Seed money for a fundraising position has already been guaranteed by HDS, and ITP has started to move into the execution phase of its strategic plan.
Also included in the strategic plan is the recognition that ITP does not have a coherent administrative structure, nor one that is conducive to healthy growth in the program. The dual reporting structure requires ITP accountability under two distinct missions, that of HDS and WHC, reporting to two distinct departments on campus with differing leadership styles and goals, and requires actors and directors to undergo non-topical trainings, attend meetings, and utilize monetary and personnel resources when these requirements do little to further the mission of ITP. Moreover, the confusing administrative structure inhibits efficiency by undergoing two budgeting process to get one working budget, when those administrative resources could be used to do additional programming. Finally, the physical separation of the program’s administrative structure reduces efficient and effective communication, and confuses in which “home” ITP actually resides.
Over the course of Summer 2008, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Housing and WHC, recognizing these difficulties and establishing the intent to move all administrative functions of ITP under the purview of Housing. With $116,716 currently funded from Housing, and $102,936 (plus $1963.25 more than the Wardenburg ITP budget for a total of $104,899.25 needed) currently funded from WHC’s budget, the WHC contribution of funds would have been transferred for FY 08-09 to HDS and eliminated from the WHC budget request for FY 09-10. ITP in future years would be required to come to Finance Board and the Legislative Council with a separate request for the continuation of student fee support.
Upon hearing by the Finance Board in Summer 2008, the Board unanimously passed a motion to transfer the WHC allocation of ITP funding to HDS for FY 08-09, knowing that future Finance Boards and Legislative Councils may not prioritize the appropriation of this money, and could easily cut the program from the student fee package. Upon passage, the Division of Student Affairs halted the transfer and informed the Executive Director of HDS and Director of WHC that the agreement could not go forward without securing future funding for ITP. It was an effort to ensure that ITP would have sustained funding, and would be able to continue its performances while seeking additional sources of funding.
This bill is intended to remedy the administrative and programmatic challenges ITP currently faces, while guaranteeing funding over the course of its five-year strategic plan. The agreement established herein is intended to continue support of ITP in the short term, during its transition toward self-sustainability. After the five-year bill period, the target goal is for ITP to be fully funded from other sources (reference ITP strategic plan); if this is not the case and the goal is not fully reached, ITP can work to have a new bill passed if supported by UCSU at that time.
Bill Summary
This bill approves the continuation of funding for ITP, to be administered by SOFO. Also, guarantees through fiscal year 2013-14 the continued appropriation of ITP funds plus possible inflationary increases, to be used as specified in this bill, and consolidates the management structure of ITP under the Assistant Dean of Students.
THEREFORE BE IT ENACTED, by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union, THAT:
SECTION 1: UCSU authorizes the ITP FY09-10 funds, totaling $104,798, to be utilized as specified in this bill;
SECTION 2: ITP shall receive through FY2013-14 its current level of student fee funding plus possible inflationary increases for each year, to be utilized as specified in this bill;
SECTION 3: Allowable expenses for the ITP program include the following:
1.) Classified staff salaries and benefits;
2.) Hourly student staff wages and benefits;
3.) Operating expenses not to exceed 5% of the ITP student fee budget;
4.) GAR/GIR
SECTION 4: SOFO shall be responsible for the administration of ITP student fee funds;
SECTION 5: ITP shall make a twice-annual report to Finance Board through the effective dates of this bill;
SECTION 6: If ITP requires additional funds beyond those specified herein, a subsequent bill to secure these funds must be passed through Legislative Council;
SECTION 7: ITP staff (co-director and student actors) currently rostered in WHC will be transferred under the Assistant Dean of Students
SECTION 8: Management of ITP shall be consolidated under the Assistant Dean of Students;
SECTION 9: WHC shall not request the ITP funding allocation in its FY08-09 budget, or any subsequent budget so long as this bill is in effect;
SECTION 10: This bill is intended to ensure continued funding for ITP, but efforts should be made in the coming years to reduce its reliance on student fees and seek alternative funding sources.
SECTION 11: This bill shall take effect upon passage.
Vote Count
2/26/09 Moved to Second Reading Acclamation
3/05/09 Amended and passed Acclamation
____________________________ ______________________________
Blaine Pellicore, Ryan Biehle
UCSU Legislative Council President Tri-Executive
_________________________________ _______________________________
Dustin Farivar Victoria Garcia
Tri-Executive Tri-Executive