Every year the UC Lit, University College’s student government, organizes a huge formal to celebrate its “community, history, and friendships.” Fireball is a way for students to escape the stress of university and have a good time, and the extravagant ticket promises just that: a wonderfully memorable night with live bands, a DJ, an impersonator, chocolate fountains, giveaways—the list goes on. I’m glad to hear that the UC governing body is interested in engaging the students in social events, but I strongly believe that the frivolous spending involved is unnecessary.
As students, we pay not only for courses but also for the services offered on campus, including those provided by our student governments. The most recent budget for Fireball states that the dance will cost $49,000 (an estimate likely to increase). This amount includes nearly $900 for printing tickets, $500 for an ice sculpture, and $1,800 for the visiting psychics. Aside from ticket sale revenues, 33 per cent of Fireball’s expenses are from UC Lit funds—money coming from our student fees. So, although every UC student pays for Fireball, not all can attend and benefit from it. My question is whether this gross over-expenditure is necessary for a “good time,” especially when only a minority can actually take advantage of it?
When I inquired about the Lit’s budget last year, I was told by an executive member that the Lit’s money is from the students, and for the students. Yet I have never been asked, in my two years living at UC, how I wish for my money to be spent.
Well, UC, let me tell you:
An alternative allocation of the Lit budget could be to put towards a more meaningful investment that every UC student has the chance to experience.
The UC Lit’s goal is to create a student community in which everyone can take part. I believe the budget should focus more on enhancing student involvement at UC. For example, the Lit currently helps fund the UC Outreach Commission, which provides students with the opportunity to give back to charitable organizations in Toronto. Although I am not in any way associated with the commission, I believe that this is a great concept and can be expanded even more to include UC student groups. With a larger budget, the UCOC could contribute to helping our student clubs organize additional events on campus to engage the student body. The Lit’s investment in student clubs could not only help these groups reach their goals, but also enhance the student experience through further involvement with the groups’ initiatives.
There are many other ways in which this money could be better spent, but I think that it is not up to me to make the choice, but rather the whole student body. The task for the UC Lit student representatives is to get out there and see what the students really want. They should connect with all of us students to get our input as to how we want our money spent.
I do not think that the UC Lit money is being used to its fullest potential to enhance the student experience in a meaningful way, evident with the overspending on Fireball. A five-hour event that costs more than many Canadians make in a year is not the right way to go.
Comments
As a UC student myself, scarcely a day goes by without my being invited to a myriad of events put on by UC Lit Commissions such as University College Off-Campus Commission(the commission which is more commonly referred to as UCOC) and many others. UC commission meetings are open to any student participating, and giving views on commission events and initiatives.
As for Fireball itself, other college formals have frequently been significantly more expensive to attend. Whereas UC has managed to keep its formal costs down by using the excellent venue provided to us by the University College Building. Further, Fireball is probably one of the most heavily attended UC events of the year, bringing together hundreds of off-campus or simply busy students who do not often get to participate in the UC life.
Feb 5, 2010 at 01:42 PM
Each Commission comes up with a preliminary budget prior to requesting money at a budget meeting. This happens twice a year (April and October). I encourage all students interested in monetary issues of the society and how the money is being allocated, to get in touch with a Commission they are interested in (you can do so at www.uclit.ca).
Ideas are generally brought to the table by council members and UC students alike and money requests are made for these ideas.
Fireball is a different story. Fireball has been happening for quite a long time (roughly 120 years, we are told). The tradition is a time-honoured one. Even the night that the college burnt down in 1890, they were celebrating the Conversazione (what is now Fireball).
The budget is not as large as you think. The contribution from the council is actually very small. The event is intended to pay for itself. The revenues from the event usually make up the money spent on it. The cost to students is their cost of admittance.
I encourage you to clarify your errors before print, in future. For example, the UCOC is the "University College Off-Campus Commission". For the record, we do not have an Outreach commission, we have two: "UC Global Action Commission" and the "UC Community Outreach Commission". These questions might have been clarified by a simple phone call. I am also puzzled that no one was contacted for questions about this piece. Really, the comment is purely speculative. I admire the writer's determination to make changes, but without a strong set of facts, the comment is nothing more than an attempt at crying wolf.
Feb 5, 2010 at 01:57 PM
After reading Rashin Alizadeh’s comment piece “Frivolous spending on Fireball,” I found myself wondering if the University College Literary and Athletic Society (UC Lit) represents the interests of UC students. Before I delve into the main argument of the article, a few factual errors should be corrected.
First, the UC Lit does not provide funding to just one outreach commission. Both the UC Lit Community Outreach and UC Lit Global Action commissions offer opportunities to engage students in raising funds and awareness for charitable organizations locally and abroad. We understand the importance of giving back to our community, and as the author admits that she is “not in any way associated with the commission[s],” I would encourage her to join in order to help us grow and initiate new events and activities.
Furthermore, the author suggests that the UC Lit should provide funding to student clubs to help engage the student body. This year we have provided funding to the UC Silhouttes Dance Company, UC Waterdragons, and the UC Follies production of Assassins. The council works hard to encourage UC students to create clubs and request funding from us. I look forward to hearing about “UofT Glee,” as I know their application is coming to us shortly.
Despite the several factual inaccuracies in the article, there is one underlying question left unanswered: Are your student unions doing what you want them to?
The simple answer for the UC Lit—We find out what you want, and then we do it. It would be extremely presumptuous of me to think that I know what every UC student wants, which is why we strive to give students the opportunity to share their ideas and feedback. This year alone we have conducted a survey, increased the number of commission meetings (which are open to all UC students), and worked hard at improving our online presence. Our website has the names and email addresses of all members, and we welcome all questions about what we do and how students can get involved. We held an Annual General Meeting and a Townhall, inviting students to share with us what they think the UC Lit should or should not be doing. We understand that the only way we can improve the student experience is to find out what students want, which is why we thrive on feedback. I would encourage any UC student to e-mail us to tell us exactly what they want, and I can promise we will do our absolute best to make it happen.
It is unfortunate that Ms. Alizadeh does not feel as if the activities that take place at Fireball do not merit the spending on the event, although there are over 1000 students that benefit from this gala event every year (including this past Saturday). The event itself is less than 13% of the overall UC Lit budget, yet it hosts approximately 20% of the UC student body. If this formal does not do enough for the student experience, why would students continue to attend?
You can tell us what you want at any of the following places: uc.lit@utoronto.ca uclit.ca facebook.com/UCGryphon twitter.com/UC_Lit 416-979-2500 Office Open 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday-- Located in the the UC Junior Common Room.
-Daniel Tsekhman UC Lit President
Feb 7, 2010 at 06:12 PM
I hate UC's random useless ventures. Is the Gargoyle printing sh*t worth reading yet?
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:27 AM
All this article does is complain without offering any actual useful commentary.
"I do not think that the UC Lit money is being used to its fullest potential to enhance the student experience in a meaningful way, evident with the overspending on Fireball.""
Yeah, do you have some better ideas for how the money should be spent? let's hear em dude.
Feb 8, 2010 at 01:20 AM
paper plates? really? 49000, treat me right.
Feb 14, 2010 at 11:47 PM
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