2008 Woodie Awards
Student Activities cuts off Drag Ball funding
Issue date: 4/14/05 Section: News
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The Webster Pride Association, which produces Drag Ball every year, was told it would not receive sponsorship from SAC in January.
"When we heard we were scared to death," said Steve Houldsworth, the faculty adviser for Webster Pride. "We received a statement saying that SAC has decided not to co-sponsor this year. There was no real reason given."
Drag Ball costs about $2,800 to produce, and every year Webster Pride used about $1,000 to $1,200 of its own budget, $1,000 to $1,200 from SAC and smaller donations from other groups.
With only half the normal amount of money, Webster Pride considered having Drag Ball in the Sunnen Lounge, where it was first held nine years ago when the audience was much smaller.
"I went and talked to John Ginsburg in the University Center and told him that we were depending on the money for this year, but could try to raise it for next year," Houldsworth said. "He was very supportive, and said that the University Center would fund it for this year."
Ginsburg, Director of University Center and Student Activities, said SAC decided not to sponsor after considering some differences of opinion that had come up between members of SAC and Webster Pride over the years.
"In the past years, the impression was that Webster Pride wanted more ownership of the event," Ginsburg said. "In general, SAC prefers not to merely give money to organizations. It likes to become part of the program. There weren't many positive feelings, and if an event is going to leave people upset every time it is planned, then changes need to be
made.
"It would be unfortunate if there were any bad feelings, though. SAC is supportive of Webster Pride and the Drag Ball. I want the Drag Ball to be successful in the future," Ginsburg said.
Thanks to the collection April 2, Webster Pride only needs to raise about $300 for next year's Drag Ball.
Cade Holleman, a member of Webster Pride and the emcee for the drag ball, said the $700 showed how important the Drag Ball is to the community.
"It is a clear and blatant show of support," Holleman said. "This says something about our school's open-mindedness. It speaks about the university as a whole and the people who come to see us."
Houldsworth said he was thrilled with the contributions, and was only expecting to raise around $200 or $300. Webster Pride is currently considering ideas for how it will raise the remaining $300.
Although there was speculation that SAC cut funding because of homophobia, Niki Femmer, SAC's graduate assistant, said that was not the case.
"We've done these events in the past," Femmer said. "We want to help the cause, not hinder it."