Never Retallack  | Entertainment Editor

The Incidental Fee Committee (IFC) has recently made some big preliminary decisions regarding the Creative Arts cuts, and in response there has been confusion and anger about what it means for Western’s campus. I set out to get more information from those on IFC and figure out how this process works and what to expect next.

On the Incidental Fee-Preliminary decision document (which can be viewed online at wou.edu/ifc/current-fee/) that lists all the suggested cuts, the Creative Arts has 8.5% with an asterisk next to it that connects to the sentence:, “With recommendation to eliminate Smith Fine Arts Acts.” This led to several points of confusion; for starters — those in the Arts department feared more of their fees would be cut, and it sounded as if Smith Fine Arts would be completely abolished.

There are several things to point out; firstly, IFC is not technically allowed to decide how things are cut, but these are students on the committee who are using knowledge to make the most sensible decision for how student funds are used. 

“The IFC made the 5% cut with the recommendation to cut half of the programs that Smith Fine Arts puts on. According to my understanding, this would decrease their performances from six to three a year,” said Logan Barker, the Chair of the IFC. 

While cutting the performances in half may seem harsh, an interview with Rachel Bayly, the current Vice Chair for the committee and previous Chair last year, proved that there is more at work behind this decision.

The IFC does not want to cut areas of the Creative Arts like Theatre, Dance and many vocal and instrumental performance groups that are “student-centered and already operating with minimal budgets.”

From there they decided to recommend cuts to Smith Fine Arts, which brings musicians to campus.

“We feel that students are not benefitting as much from Smith Fine Arts as they are from other Creative Arts activities,” Bayly said, explaining why they decided to choose this program.

Another huge part that affected this decision is the fact that the Smith Fine Arts receives a large portion of their budget outside of the IFC, so the 50% cut they are recommending is far less than 50% of the total allotted money for the concerts.

“Our specific recommendation is that the 8.5% cut to the Creative Arts Department be taken directly from the number of concerts put on for next year’s Smith Fine Arts Series,” Bayly said.

They are focusing on keeping programs that are important to student life and success.

“If the Creative Arts Department decided to ignore the will of students in how student fees are spent, that would be a misuse of funds that they are privileged to have. IFC is a place where student voice should have the final say, and area heads understand that as well as the committee does,” Bayly said in conclusion about what to expect as the decision is finalized.

Contact the author at nretallack15@mail.wou.edu