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Marketing and University Communication UW-Green Bay, CL 815 2420 Nicolet Drive Green Bay, WI 54311-7001 (920) 465-2626 E-mail: hildebrs@uwgb.edu Last update: 9/27/07 |
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In
the News Archive - Year:
October 10, 2004 Moore visit sparks local debate Filmmaker to make stop at UWGB as part of 62-speech pre-election tour By Cynthia Hodnett Now he is igniting a local debate among some who question a decision
made by student leaders at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay to invite
Moore to campus later this month and why student fees are being used to
help pay for his visit.
"We're not too happy about him coming here because we don't feel this
is an appropriate place for Michael Moore to speak and to use our funds
to do it with," said John Kumm, a 22-year-old senior and chairman of the
College Republicans at UWGB.
Calls to UWGB officials about Moore's speaking fee weren't returned
Friday. But university officials have said Moore's fee includes no taxpayer
funds and will be covered by ticket fees for his visit and money from
the segregated fees account. Segregated fees are paid by students and
cover a host of campus operations.
Kumm said the group is trying to get the event canceled and, if that
doesn't happen, they will stage a protest on the day of the event.
"I don't think the university paid attention to who they were bringing
in or the possible backlash that could happen," he said.
"Student Government didn't have a fair shake in having their voices
heard in the decision. They just saw Michael Moore and decided to take
this on."
"Fahrenheit 9/11," Moore's critical take on President George W. Bush,
the war in Iraq and the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, has made the
documentarian a highly controversial figure and a favorite target of right-wing
activists.
"His views about (the war in) Iraq, 9-11 and our government are pretty
distorted," said 33-year-old Raymond Klugh of Suamico who plans to attend
Moore's visit. Although he isn't a UWGB student and doesn't support Moore's
views, Klug said he wants to hear what the filmmaker has to say.
"I think he's dangerous because he doesn't support this country and
what it stands for," Klug said. "He can say whatever he wants because
he has that right. But I don't like it that he's coming here to spread
nothing but more lies."
Moore will give multimedia presentations at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Oct. 23
at the Weidner Center. It's part of the left-wing activist's 62-speech
pre-election tour that kicked off Monday in Camden, N.J.
The Slacker Uprising Tour is concentrating on college campuses and arenas
in 20 swing states in hopes of increasing the number of voters who cast
ballots in the Nov. 2 presidential election.
Moore's appearance is being presented by the university's Good Times
Programming and the Office of Student Life.
"I think it's great that he's coming and I don't have a problem with
what the university is doing. That's what we pay fees for, to have programming
for students," said Sarah Oldenburg, a 20-year-old junior and co-chairwoman
of the College Democrats at UWGB.
"This is an election year, so there's going to be the presence of Democrats
and Republicans on campus," Oldenburg said. "Good Times was trying to
be nonpartisan and invite speakers from both sides. It's not like there
weren't offers for Republican speakers to come here."
All 2,000 tickets for the first show have been sold and half of the
2,000 tickets for the second show are still available, said Sue Keihn,
dean of students and associate provost for student services at UW-Green
Bay.
Green Bay resident Denise Stelke, 39, said she doesn't think it's a
bad idea that is Moore is coming to Green Bay because "what he says isn't
going to make much difference in people's opinions." Stelke said she doesn't
plan to attend the event.
Erica Millspaugh, a 20-year-old junior and art major, shared Stelke's
views and added that she's also OK with the visit being funded partially
with student fees.
"I think it's important for people to hear what he has to say and I'm
glad he chose to come here," said Millspaugh, who plans to attend one
of the shows.
"Regardless if you don't like him or not, it will create dialogue about
important issues in the world and go out and vote."
Final details about security haven't been made yet, but it may be handled
by Moore's camp, said Joi Brown, general manager and director of programming
at the Weidner Center.
Steve Swan, assistant chancellor for university advancement at UWGB,
said he's received several phone calls from citizens and alumni questioning
whether taxpayer dollars will be used to pay for the event.
"The second question that has come up is, has there been an effort to
bring in people with a conservative view, most specifically Ann Coulter
and Sean Hannity?" Swan said he wasn't sure whether those invitations
panned out.
UWGB Chancellor Bruce Shepard said he is surprised the university has
received minimal backlash compared with other campuses nationwide that
have invited Moore to their schools.
"We have to trust ourselves not to be afraid of ideas or controversies,"
Shepard said. "What a university is about is being a place where we can
passionately debate even the most extreme ideas without fear. If the Michael
Moores and Ann Coulters of the world can't appear on a college campus,
where can they appear?"
If you go
Tickets for Moore's UWGB stop will be $5, with a $2 service charge.
Tickets for UWGB students are on sale with a four-ticket limit. Tickets
for the general public are on sale through the Weidner box office. For
information, call (920) 465-2217 or go to www.uwgb.edu/weidner.
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