CSUSM looks to bring Michael Moore to North County

By: PAUL SISSON - Staff Writer | Friday, September 10, 2004 11:10 PM PDT ∞

SAN MARCOS ---- Student leaders at Cal State San Marcos voted Friday to contribute $6,500 in student activity fees to help bring one of the country's most polarizing political provocateurs to North County.

That's right. Michael Moore, the documentary filmmaker who released "Fahrenheit 9/11" in June, appears scheduled to speak at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, on Oct. 13.

The film, which takes President George W. Bush to task for everything from his ties to big oil and big business to the U.S. invasion of Iraq, has been embraced by the left and villified by the right. Moore's recent appearance as a member of the media at the Republican National Convention elicited a verbal condemnation from Sen. John McCain.

On a 12-3 vote Friday afternoon, the governing board of Associated Students Inc. at CSUSM allocated the $6,500 in student activity fees to help bring in the controversial left-leaning filmmaker. The board had considered allocating $10,000 to sponsor the event; however, members elected to divert some of that amount to help fund Women's History Month activities on campus instead.

The rest of Moore's $37,000 tab is slated be covered by the school's arts and lectures budget, as part of its annual Intercultural Speakers Series. According to a financial breakdown submitted by Jonathan Poullard, the college's vice president for student affairs and dean of students, Moore would receive a $25,000 speaking fee. An additional $12,500 would pay for hotel, air fare, security, transportation and rental of the arts center.

It's unclear whether a vote by a subcommittee that oversees the lecture series is needed to release those funds and finalize the plan.

A handful of students turned out Friday to give their opinions before the student board took its vote.

Junior Ashley Stuart, chairwoman of CSUSM's College Republicans organization, said she is concerned about spending money on "what is obviously a left-wing speaker."

Matthew Curran, the board's arts and science representative, voted against spending school funds to bring Moore to speak at the arts center. He brought a petition signed by 150 students who agreed with his point of view.

However, he added that he did not believe that hosting Moore three weeks before the Nov. 2 election would have any meaningful effect on the voting habits of students.

"Michael Moore is not going to sway votes," Curran said.

Cheyenne Barr, the board's arts and science representative, voted yes on Friday. She said that, though many students "will be pissed" about the filmmaker's visit, it may also excite political participation.

"I think it might get more people interested in voting," Barr said.

Moore was originally scheduled to speak at Cal State San Marcos on Oct. 20, 2003. However, his visit was delayed with the outbreak of the Cedar and Paradise wildfires. Poullard said he received a call from Moore's booking staff Tuesday asking whether the college is still interested in a visit.

The college will allocate 1,000 free tickets at the arts center for students, faculty and staff. An additional 500 tickets will be sold to the public for $20 each.

Contact staff writer Paul Sisson at (760) 901-4087 or psisson@nctimes.com