ASWU would like to inform you about the possibility of purchasing new sound equipment for the Events Department on campus. The vote for this proposal will take place on Tuesday, April 5th 8:00AM – 10:00PM.
Because of the unexpectedly large student body this year, ASWU currently has an excess of unbudgeted funds totaling approximately $50,000. This is an abnormally large surplus and will likely not occur again. This surplus is available for student programming requisitions. This particular proposal for an upgrade to the Events department sound system would cost $9,991.70. If accepted, ASWU would be left with about $40,000 which would be accessible for additional requisitions this year (per ASWU Financial Standard Operating Procedures https://www.whitworth.edu/Students/ASWU/GeneralInformation/PDF/FinancialInformation/FSOPS.pdf ). If this proposal is not accepted, the $50,000 would remain available for student programming requisitions this year.
If the proposal is passed, potential benefits could include:
- · Improved sound quality at all ASWU sponsored concerts and events (Dances, Luau, International Banquet, etc.)
- · The system improvements would allow for Whitworth to accommodate entertainers’ sound needs and allow Whitworth to bring higher quality entertainment
- · Student labor costs charged to ASWU would decrease, freeing money for other events
- · Student sound staff would receive Technical training with current industry standard equipment that would be applicable to similar jobs after Whitworth
Cost Breakdown (high-end estimates):
- · New Subwoofers $5196
- · New main speakers $3996
- · Total before taxes: $9,192
- · Total with sales tax: $9,991.70
The current sound system was purchased in 1982 and is antique by contemporary sound standards. It is in constant need of repair and makes it impossible for the Events department to provide quality sound at campus events. While the Events department would like to invest in an updated sound system, it is not currently in its budget to do so. Thus, the Events department has requested money from ASWU in an effort to begin the sound system upgrade. It is the understanding of ASWU that if this requisition passes, the Events Department will invest funds to further upgrade the sound system. However their budget is not yet set on this matter. Please see “The Big Picture” at the bottom of this email for further details.
The new sound equipment will be up to current industry standards and with proper maintenance will provide high quality sound at Whitworth events for the next 20 years.
The new items would be maintained and cared for by the Events department and will be available for student programming all over campus, including concerts, comedians, etc.
The Big Picture
The speakers being requisitioned for are part of a larger comprehensive upgrade of Whitworth University’s Events Sound System. The comprehensive upgrade includes the following components along with their cost estimates:
- · 4 Mains Speakers - $3996
- · 4 Subwoofers - $5196
- · 6 Monitors (speakers directed at performers so they can hear what they are playing) -$4000
- · 24 Channel Digital Mixer - $5000
- · 24 Channel Cable Snake (Connects the performer’s microphones and instruments to the mixer) - $2500
- · Total Cost is about $22,000
ASWU has already committed funds to purchasing the cable snake because the current snake is inadequate and is only semi-operational. This requisition would cover the cost of the 4 Mains Speakers and 4 Subwoofers and would bring ASWU’s total investment to $11,692.
Although this amount will not be enough to fund the entire sound system upgrade, ASWU’s investment will still provide a dramatic improvement in sound quality for concert and event attendees. Further, it has been suggested by the Events department that this initial investment by ASWU might be met with departmental funds in order to complete the sound system upgrade. Thus, it is ASWU’s belief that the use of student funds in this way is an effective and worthy investment.
Further information and updates will be available on the ASWU blog: www.whitworthaswu.blogspot.com.
Questions and concerns can be addressed to Andrew McArdle (amcardle@whitworth.edu) or Pierre Biscaye (pbiscaye11@my.whitworth.edu).
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