TOWSON STATE UNIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES
SOME FACTS
This program series is sponsored by, arranged for, and produced by the Towson State University Student Government Association.
It is in its 5th year of operation; the first series began in 1974 75 school year.
Initially the program was entitled "Celebrity Speakers Series" (1974-75, 1975-76, 1976-77), byt the name was changed this year (1977-78) to "Lecture Series."
BUDGET INFORMATION
Initially the Student Government allocated $5,000 from their overall budget to hire guest lecturers of note. The SGA president who initiated the program "wanted to help make sone impact on the academic influence on Towson State campus and with the Towson community at large, other than the normally sponsored programs for students' (such as rock concerts). He also felt that the local community would have an opportunity ti hear noted persons they would not ordinarily be able to hear in this immediate area.
The SGA decided to sell subscription tickets to support the effort and sold some 400 the first year. Students and faculty were admitted free of charge with proper I.D. That first year, the SGA portion funder approximately 1/3 of the total costs with the subscriptions plus individual ticket sales at each lecture supporting the remaining 2/3.
Second year budget allocation was $8,000 (75-76); 3rd was $10,000 (76-77) and 4th (77-78) is $14,000.
This year's subscriptions have brought in an estimated $30,000 with nearly 1,000 subscriptions sold for the eight lectures. Additionally, each lecture has some 25 to 50 single ticket sales at $5.00 each.
Costs to produce, in addition to fee paid each lecturer, (this year) are3: approximately $3,500 for advertising. Other items for added costs fall into the area of programs, (samples enclosed), sound system, Towson Center facilities and personnel, lighting, etc. (at this writing a breakdown of these costs were not available).
Added impact of TSU Lecture Series: The SGA has received letters from all over the country praising the overall program, the personalities involved and the method of handling. In addition, the agency in New York, Harry Walker, Inc., with who the speakers are booked, sent the TSU ad (copy attached) to his mailing list of 1,000 colleges and universities, along with their comments on the excellence of this series. They tell us that TSU's has been the best arranged for this season.
