By
The Wildcat Opinions Board
Don't get out your dancing shoes just yet.
During the first emergency Associated Students of the University of Arizona meeting in more than eight years Friday, ASUA President Ben Graff put Fall Ball 2000 on the chopping block because of low ticket sales.
At the meeting, the full Senate voted to overlook the "pull the plug" date - which fell at midnight last Friday - and continue spending money for the campus-wide formal, which was scheduled for Nov. 4. Graff, however, rightfully stepped in and vetoed two proposals that would have allocated $2,200 to hire a DJ and a band for the event.
With Fall Ball of life support, the Senate will attempt to revive the dance tomorrow night at its weekly meeting. Apparently, Sen. Matt Bailey, who developed the idea for Fall Ball as a part of his campaign last spring, believes he has the necessary support for the Senate to override Graff's veto and let Fall Ball continue.
It's understandable that Bailey doesn't want to see his idea killed less than two weeks from fruition. In this case, however, the simple facts speak volumes about whether or not the Senate should override Graff's veto.
The "pull the plug" idea was created - by Bailey, ironically enough - so ASUA would have an out in case the very situation came up that the Senate indeed finds itself in. If enough pre-sale tickets weren't sold, there would not be a dance. Last month, the Senate agreed that at least 350 tickets had to be sold in order for Bailey and his planners to continue organizing the event.
As of Sunday, 105 tickets were sold.
To date, Graff said yesterday that ASUA has spent about $1,400 on advertising expenses for Fall Ball. Bailey has a budget of $14,000 for the event, with that money coming from ASUA as well as ticket sales.
With the majority of the expenses for the dance looming in the near future, a tough but obvious decision had to be made Friday. And Graff made it. Now, however, we can't understand why Bailey, Sen. Seth Frantzman, and others want to continue with the dance. If at least 300 or maybe even 250 tickets had been sold, there might be a reason to cancel the "pull the plug" idea. One hundred and five, however, is a far cry from 350.
The bottom line here is that if the Senate overrides Graff's veto and Fall Ball happens, $14,000 will be spent on a few hundred students. To make up for the budget shortfall, Graff said ASUA would have to consider taking money away from UA programs and services, as well as the Senate's budget for club funding.
The "pull the plug" plan was instituted for a reason - to save students a big chunk of money if enough people weren't interested in attending a formal.
And the ASUA president has the power of veto for a reason - to nix an idea that he thinks will harm the students instead of help them.
The Senate didn't pull the plug on Fall Ball, but fortunately Graff went against popular opinion and did so anyway. Now, we only hope the rest of our student body government follows suit.
This editorial represents the collaborative stance of the Arizona Daily Wildcat Opinions Board.
