Founders Auditorium is supposed to be a place where the University of La Verne community can gather to watch movies, listen to guest speakers and experience concerts and community events. But because the auditorium is in such horrible condition, it has become an embarrassment to the University every time an event is held there.
Liberal arts is the core of our University, but we don’t have a presentable stage for the performers. Founders Auditorium is the University’s largest facility. It can seat 430 people, yet it is the room that needs the biggest renovations.
There are about 10 to 20 events held each month in Founders Auditorium. A lot of time is put into each event and the University should do its part in making the event successful, which includes having an acceptable venue for these events.
It’s not just a problem for the students. We have many great musicians and performers come to the University, like Martin Chalifour, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Timothy Landauer, cellist for the Pacific Symphony; Kevin Fitz-Gerald, world-renowned pianist; and Lyndon Johnston Taylor and Kristine Whitson Hedwall, violinists for the L.A. Philharmonic.
They have to perform on this old stage as well. It doesn’t look good on the school to have such a worn-out hall.
We can have big names come to perform at the University, they have to deal with our sorry auditorium. It makes the University look like it doesn’t care and that it is not one of its top priorities. Is that how we want our school to be represented?
A more presentable hall can also benefit the school in other ways. For instance, it can also bring in more money for the school. By having a more presentable stage, the University can rent it out at a higher cost.
Isn’t that what the school wants? By renting out Founders Auditorium at a higher cost, it becomes a greater investment and develops our recognition to the community.
The remodeling of the Student Center might also increase enrollment, which would mean an increase in tuition money for the school. Remodeling Founders Auditorium can do the same thing. Not only that, but it can also bring in more students who are music majors.
President Morgan argues that the University can’t afford to remodel Founders Auditorium and that the only reason why it can afford to remodel the Student Center is because of donations.
The Student Center renovation bill will come to approximately $16 million, while renovating Founders Auditorium would cost far less.
If the University can fundraise most of the $16 million, raising an additional amount, particularly for the arts, should be a breeze. But why isn’t it being done?
The University can only benefit from renovating Founders Auditorium. Remodeling Founders Auditorium is a great investment for the future of the University and its reputation. Let’s not forget this important issue.