After 37 years on campus, the award-winning VCU Black Awakening Choir might lose crucial amounts of their funding from the Student Government Association.
Choir member Alonzo Brooks said the choir first learned of a possible funding loss from William Moehl, a current SGA presidential candidate. Moehl said the SGA appropriations committee is concerned about approving funds for the choir director’s salary and musicians.
Senate Chair Jessica Lee, who is also running for SGA president, said in the past the appropriations committee has funded the choir with reservations. This year, the committee is putting its foot down, and this has Moehl worried.
“I did not want to leave them (the choir) high and dry. I don’t feel they should have to raise $5,000 over the summertime to cover expenses,” Moehl said.
Current SGA appropriations committee bylaws state the committee will not fund “student salaries or stipends, unless approved by the SGA Student Senate.”
Moehl notified the choir and suggested the group start a petition.
“The SGA should fund at least half of the salary for one more year in order to give the choir time to explore other avenues of funding, such as the Academic Affairs office,” Moehl said.
Lee was at the appropriations meeting when the choir’s budget was discussed. Because the choir director and musicians are not students, Lee said, it is up to the committee to decide whether to fund the organization.
“There is a gray area as to whether it’s OK to use student activity funds for things such as the choir director,” Lee said. “It’s not against the rules to fund the choir director, but is it directly benefiting the students?”
Lee said she thinks the university should take care of the choir’s expenses.
“SGA money isn’t where it (funding) should come from,” Lee said.
Brooks is not surprised by the possibility of losing funding.
Brooks has been a part of the choir for four years and has served on the executive board. Since he’s been in the choir, there have been budgetary problems, Brooks said, and losing funds for the director and musicians would hurt the choir.
“As much as we do – we provide an outlet for students . we can’t function without a director and musicians,” Brooks said. “We might as well be a choir that meets once a month and sings once a month.”
The choir meets once a week and has up to four performances a month. The group currently is on tour in the southeastern United States. The official decision about the budget will be announced March 23. If the choir is not funded, they can submit an appeal to the student senate.