Money
CMU's Speaker Series has had its share of tough breaks.
The program, which brings major and lesser-known speakers to campus, is no stranger to budget issues.
In fact, this editorial board has urged officials to do everything they can to keep the series, which more often than not faces uncertain funding situations, up and running.
Last week, the series got its second break in as many years.
University President Michael Rao has allocated $20,000 for this academic year for the second time.
Last year, he also gave the series $20,000 to get off the ground.
Now it's up to the Speaker Series committee to find someone to come to campus.
The group has been good at that. With last year's money, the committee brought Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark.
Hopefully, they can bring someone of equal or better caliber this time.
Rao's money only underscores the fact that the Speaker Series is a priority.
Director of Media Relations Steve Smith summed up the situation in an interview for a recent Central Michigan Life article.
"When the president puts money from his office into something, it means it's important," he said.
Smith is right.
The Speaker Series is one of the many good things Central has going for it.
It falls under one of those nontraditional obligations the university has. Education is about more than what students learn in a classroom. The Speaker Series, and other programs like it, give students the opportunity to absorb knowledge directly from some of the nation's key leaders.
But Rao's allocation doesn't mean all troubles are gone for the series. Next year's budget still is uncertain.
Director of University Events Bob Ebner said the committee understands how things get during tough budget times such as these.
But as officials start planning who will visit campus next, equal attention also need to be paid to a long-term solutions.
