UVSC donors in an uproar

OREM — Tom Heal's phone has been ringing off the hook for more than a week.

Like other officials at Utah Valley State College, the board of trustees member has been fielding angry phone calls and e-mails regarding the student government's decision to pay $40,000 from student fees to have liberal filmmaker Michael Moore speak to the student body on Oct. 20.

But these callers aren't just outraged students and perturbed parents.

"Many of the people that I have met with and talked to have their names on the sides of the building (at UVSC)," Heal said. "They are substantial donors."

And their displeasure over Moore's appearance isn't just heated talk. It could amount to the loss of "millions of dollars" in donations over the next few years, he said.

"This is not a political issue for most of these folks, it's a moral issue," Heal said. "They recognize that the students have the right to invite people to come to campus and freedom of speech and intellectual freedom, but they believe it is inappropriate to bring Michael Moore to campus at this time (so close to the national election)."

That moral dilemma is now Heal's problem, though he places the blame on the student government — not just for its decision to bring the "Fahrenheit 9/11" director to campus, but for its failure to consult with college officials about the possible financial repercussions.

"I think it's been a real learning experience for them to realize all the ramifications that come from making the decision to bring a controversial speaker to campus," board of trustees member Mike Mower said.

"But under our form of student government, the student leaders have the right to do what they did and how they did it."

That could change soon, Heal said, if UVSC officials or the state Legislature decide to limit the power of the student government association.

Currently, UVSC's student government oversees more than $6 million in student fees — $50,000 of which goes toward a speaker series.

Under the student constitution drafted by the college, student body vice president Joe Vogel said that he is allowed to select speakers after consulting with the student senate.

Knowing that Moore's appearance would be controversial, Vogel asked the senate to vote on the issue, but it stalemated.