Rackham to restrict uses of auditorium, other facilities

University a cappella groups who sing - without instruments - may also find themselves singing without their venue of choice.

In an effort to hold more events that meet the needs of its graduate student body, the Rackham Graduate School administration may soon restrict the use of its facilities, including its auditorium, to graduate student organizations.

The problem for many of the 14 a cappella groups on campus is that they use the Rackham Auditorium to perform and would like to continue hosting events there. Its aesthetic and economic features have drawn them to Rackham.

"In the past, Rackham Auditorium has been the place where most a cappella groups have turned to when looking for a venue. It's really an ideal place to have a concert," said LSA junior Amit Pandya, who is a member of 58 Greene.

LSA senior Evan Scalzo, a member of The Gentlemen and Gimble, described Rackham as being "in a class of its own."

"It's a wonderful auditorium, and it's the best price for its size," Scalzo said. The auditorium seats about 1,100 people.

The restriction of Rackham's facilities derives from its original deed of trust, which was written in 1935 when the school officially became the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

"The deed left very specific instructions about what could and could not happen in the Rackham building," explained Shannon Rice, facilities manager of University Productions.

"Among others, there was not to be any worship services, undergraduate activities or organizations, groups outside the University or theatrical performances using Rackham facilities," she said.

Rackham Dean Earl Lewis said confusion about the use of Rackham facilities could have began several years ago when the administration allowed more undergraduate groups to perform there.

But Lewis said Rackham administrators met with University Productions officials last spring to explain that the graduate school is bound by law to follow the trust verbatim.

"The language of the deed is clear, and we cannot violate a trust which has existed for almost even decades," Lewis said, although he expressed sympathy for the undergraduate organizations.

"I know that competition for space is pretty intense. I've been working with (the Rackham Student Government) to identify what comprises a graduate organization. We feel that if there is preponderant number of graduate students in an organization, then they should qualify as a graduate student organization," he said.

LSA sophomore Kym Stewart, a member of the a cappella group Dicks and Janes, hopes to compromise with Rackham administrators.

"I understand that they can't go against what the donors requested, but how black and white is that? We have a grad student in our group, and we really target and hit grad students to come. And they do. This is a campus-wide event; we do this for their entertainment too," Stewart said.

She also suggested having a deadline for graduate students to book their events and then opening up any remaining space for undergraduate use.

Lewis said he is open to compromise, but it depends upon the suggestions. "We certainly try to accommodate everybody when and where it's possible, but we have to follow the contract," he said.

Stewart said that having to find alternative places to perform will financially upset a cappella groups because other venues either cost more to rent, seat less people or both.

"We are already fundraising as it is, and with expenses and tours, we might just break even. If we had to pay two or three times as much for a venue that seats the same or less number of people, then we'd have to ask the (Michigan Student Assembly's) Budget and Planning Committee for more money for all the a cappella groups. BPC does not have this funding available," said Stewart, who is an MSA representative.

"It's a sticky situation," Rice said. "I feel for the students but understand where the dean is coming from."

LSA senior David Singer, a member of the a cappella group Compulsive Lyres, said that such separation of undergraduate and graduate schools is not conducive to a healthy learning environment.

"By allowing for all types of events, graduate and undergraduate alike, everyone can learn from each other and appreciate the activities and talents of one another," Singer said.

10-11-99