On The Fly commended for disbanding and saving the university money
After 14 years, On the Fly Productions will no longer provide campus programming for students after this semester. The decision comes from adviser Dani Hiar and will save Residence Life $100,000 starting in the fall.
Though it may not be what everyone wanted to hear, especially those involved with On the Fly, it is commendable that Hiar put the needs of the university first before keeping OTF operable.
More administrators and advisers can learn from her and close programs not necessary to Central Michigan University’s survival. It is never a good sign when a program around the university has to shut down. But with talks of budget cuts and speculation of how much tuition will go up every year, unnecessary programs and extra costs will be disappearing around campus throughout the next few years, or until the economy gets better.
OTF faced the inevitable head-on, disbanding and saving the university the trouble of having to break the bad news. OTF was by no means a bad program. It gave some students the practical job experience they will need in the real world, especially if they decide to go into event planning. Acts such as Ludacris and Dane Cook came to CMU in the past because of OTF.
But reality is setting in — and some people have to call it quits in order for the university to get back on track. CMU already has Program Board for programming events. It is unnecessary to have another organization doing virtually the same thing.
It’s a shame, but OTF won’t be the last organization that will have to call it quits.
There are organizations and programs across the university that are fun, but not necessary for CMU’s continuation. They know they will have to disband soon. OTF was one of them, and Hiar recognized the importance of saving money.
Part of the fault of OTF closing lies with the students. OTF was an organization dedicated to bringing smaller acts to campus — presenting entertainers that would interest only a certain amount of students.
The lack of student interest is a signal to the university on what they should keep and what they should let go.
Students should keep this mind in the months to come when other RSOs and programs are cut from the university budget.
Just because OTF is closing down does not mean it will be gone permanently. Once CMU budgets its money correctly — and once the Michigan economy stabilizes — programs such as OTF can be reinstated.
But, for now, OTF is making the smart choice and helping out the greater good.
