Moore controversy finally lessening

OREM — After two weeks of tempest, the storm of controversy swirling around Michael Moore's much-debated, much-anticipated appearance at Utah Valley State College appears to be waning.

At least when it comes to threats of money being yanked by major donors.

And that's a relief for UVSC chiefs, who braced for any financial repercussions over bringing the "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker to Utah Valley, which during the 1980s earned the moniker as the most Republican county in the nation.

"What we heard the first few days was a natural reaction, and I don't think people can be blamed for feeling that way," said Tom Heal, director of the UVSC Foundation, the college's fund-raising arm.

"But I don't think our loss is going to be substantial. I think the majority of our donors will stay with us and will want to maintain their support."

UVSC isn't taking chances, however. College leaders are seeking face-to-face meetings with the college's major donors to head off concerns about the student government's decision to pay Moore $40,000 of student fees to speak Oct. 20.

Top college leaders insist that no donors have actually pulled funding from the state school, although several donors have threatened to do so.

"We're trying to communicate with our donor base and remind them of all the good things the college does day to day," said Derek Hall, UVSC spokesman. "We're out contacting people and keeping the lines of communication open."

No amount of persuasion, however, will convince former Springville Mayor Hal Wing to share a $1.4 million art collection with UVSC's Woodbury Art Gallery.

Although he's a UVSC fan and former donor, he's promised the art and a significant donation to nearby Brigham Young University — a decision based on his displeasure with Moore, whom he calls "a man who doesn't know how to do anything but spew his vile venom around."

"I do not have a vote or a voice at UVSC — and probably do not deserve one — but we live in a society where we have the constitutional right as free Americans to voice our opinion," Wing said. "We can vote with our voice, we can vote with our feet and we can vote with our pocketbooks, and I have decided to vote against this man coming to UVSC in the only manner I know how."

Hall said the college never finalized negotiations with Wing for the art collection and doesn't consider it a tangible loss.