Sources: Amy Schultz, 785-532-6541, amyjo579@k-state.edu; Bob Krause, 785-532-6912, vpia@k-state.edu; Pat Bosco, 785-532-6237, bosco@k-state.edu; and Frank Tracz, 785-532-3818, ftracz@k-state.edu
News released prepared by: Beth Bohn, 785-532-6451, bbohn@k-state.edu

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

K-STATE COMMUNITY JOINING TOGETHER TO SECURE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF THE K-STATE MARCHING BAND

MANHATTAN -- At a historic meeting this morning, Kansas State University student government leaders met with members of the K-State administration, intercollegiate athletics department, department of music, K-State Alumni Association and the Kansas State University Foundation to take steps to secure the long-term future of the Kansas State University Marching Band.

With K-State Student Governing Association approval, K-State student privilege fee funding of the marching band will be $140,000 for the next three years. During that time frame, the university, department of music, athletics department, K-State Alumni Association and Kansas State University Foundation will work together to secure more significant and permanent sources of funding for the band.

The ultimate goal, according to Amy Schultz, chair of the K-State Student Senate, is to greatly reduce or eliminate student privilege fee funding of the band altogether and switch it to more permanent funding that will help address many of the band's crucial long-term needs, including new uniforms, additional scholarships and replacement of instruments.

Schultz was responsible for arranging the meeting along with Robert Swift, K-State student body vice president, and Wayne Stoskopf, privilege fee committee chair.

"The Student Governing Association wanted to draw university-wide attention to the funding needs of our K-State Marching Band in its initial proposal to reduce the band's privilege fee support over the next three years," Schultz said. "Now, with the K-State community working together, student government is confident the band will soon be guaranteed a permanent funding solution outside student privilege fees."

"A true family always comes together to solve their problems, and that is what the K-State family has done today," said Bob Krause, director of athletics at K-State. "We have a great, great marching band and it deserves support university-wide. Our band members are true ambassadors of K-State not only at athletic events, but at community events and alumni events."

Pat Bosco, K-State vice president for student life and dean of students, praised student leaders for raising the issue of the band's support.

"This is the direct result of the K-State Student Governing Association's call for attention to a long-standing challenge regarding the funding of our great marching band," Bosco said. "I am so proud of our student leaders. K-State truly is a student-centered university. Our students are always part of the solution, not the problem. That's leadership and that's what makes K-State special."

"The outpouring of support for the marching band these past few days from K-State students, faculty, alumni and friends has been overwhelming. We have received more than 7,000 calls and e-mails from people who want to see the marching band continue well into the future," said Frank Tracz, professor and director of bands at K-State. "I'm so pleased that we could come together today and start to develop ways that the band, which obviously means so much to so many K-Staters, will always be around."

Amy Renz, president and chief executive officer of the K-State Alumni Association, said alumni have been expressing their strong support of the marching band through calls and e-mails over the last few days.

"The K-State Marching Band is without question a highly visible and valuable asset to our university," Renz said. "It has been a privilege for the Alumni Association to work closely with the band and continue to show support for one of the most enduring symbols and traditions at K-State."

"We are confident that K-State's loyal alumni and friends will be eager to respond to this funding challenge in support of the Pride of Wildcat Land," said Mike Smith, vice president of development for the Kansas State University Foundation.

Also attending the meeting were Gary Mortenson, head of the department of music, and Gayle Spencer, assistant dean of student life and coordinator of student activities and services.

"The band's foundation and future of the K-State Pride of Wildcat Land have never been better," said K-State President Jon Wefald. "The university and student leadership got together and came up with a K-State solution to make sure our marching band remains the best marching band in America. This is the K-State way."