Invitation to Moore irks GOP legislators

OREM — Several Republican Utah County state legislators are irked at the decision by Utah Valley State College's student leaders to use student funds to bring filmmaker Michael Moore to campus Oct. 20 for a speech.

"Michael Moore is a grandstanding demagogue," said Rep. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem. "He discredits the use of the word documentary."

Dayton said what disturbs her about Moore's invitation is that she thinks he would not be a top speaker choice for the majority of UVSC students.

"UVSC is a terrific school," she said. "It's obvious to me this decision is not reflective of all the students there nor all the administrators."

While Dayton is dismayed at Moore's very invitation, Sen. Parley Hellewell, R-Orem, is concerned about the controversial filmmaker's asking price.

"I'm a little disappointed and surprised they're going to pay him $40,000," Hellewell said. "I think it could have been $10,000 or $15,000 or $20,000. I think it's a good thing to have differing views, but to have one with his view and pay him so much. . . .That's way too much money for one person whose views are opposite of most of the people in Utah County."

Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, said the biggest issue for him is the way student funds are being used.

"Whether they're a liberal or conservative speaker, that's not the issue," Bramble said. "Is it a valid use of mandatory student fees? That's the issue. If the student body wanted to bring in Michael Moore on a pay as you go basis, that's an entirely different thing. That's applicable whether it's Michael Moore or somebody else."

Bramble said UVSC — and other state colleges — could see some repercussions from the decision to bring Moore to campus. "This could cause problems, not just for UVSC in the future but other state colleges as well," he said. "When they come to us and ask for funding, we're going to look at how they have used it in the past."

Dayton hinted at that possibility, as well.

"While I realize the students do pay a lot of their own funds, they are still supported by tax dollars, and the state still owns the lands UVSC is on and the buildings, and UVSC exists at the will of the Legislature," she said.

Hellewell said he's heard people ask about cutting funding, but he thinks that's going too far. "I'd be opposed to any kind of retribution, cutting any funding," he said. "Going to college is a learning experience. I think they learned from it and will make a better choice next time."

But it's possible students won't have the choice next time.