As one of a trio of brothers who graduated from U.Va. in the 1990s, we too are very concerned about the inefficient use of University funds and donations ("Questionable Spending", April 10). It is frustrating to receive sometimes incessant calls and letters asking for donations while reading that the University spent these millions and those millions on unneeded projects just so some rich alumni can make a vain attempt at immortality.\nYou focus on donations in your article, and describe the millions dedicated towards the marching band as possibly better spent elsewhere. An additional item of interest, at least to me, is the approximately $1 to $1.5 million funneled out of the academic programs of the University to the athletic department every year.\nThe Cavalier Marching Band has little educational purpose. U.Va. does not have the academic major offerings in music typical of schools with robust performing arts programs, such as performance, education, management, theory, production and technology, engineering and acoustics, composition, conducting, liturgical music and others. Despite the lack of relevance of the marching band to the academic mission of the University, the band offers 2 credits a semester for participation.\nWhy does U.Va. offer these credits? Follow the money. The departmental funding provided by these credits supports the annual operational budget of the Cavalier Marching Band, which is well over $1 million. The primary purpose of the marching band is as a vehicle for the marketing and promotion of athletic department activities. So, the marching band is an "income redistribution" from the academic programs of the University to the athletic department.\nThat being said, sometimes you need to spend money to make money. Perhaps the millions spent on marching band uniforms, instruments, and buildings, and the over $1 million spent each year on operational expenses can benefit the University to a greater degree? That has not been the result. The promised extra wins (re: Carl Smith) for the football and basketball programs have not materialized. (The winning percentages of both teams and ranking in final AP polls are not as good as in the Virginia Pep Band era). The additional donations to the Athletic Department seem to be flat, except for the basketball arena. Football season ticket sales are down about 15%. This is consistent with other programs in this economy and indicates that the marching band is not necessarily a $1 million draw. The music department is worse than ever with limited academic offerings and high school level performances from many of its instrumental ensembles. This is disappointing to the seven U.Va. grads within my immediate and extended family, all of whom played or sang during their time at U.Va. (and many of us still play in amateur and professional ensembles).\nSo, we can conclude that there is neither an educational nor business justification for spending millions on the U.Va. Marching Band. Until the University does a better job of aligning its financial resources with educational priorities, I will continue to answer the call from an eager undergraduate with the response, "You are asking me to donate $100. What if I tell you where to find $1 million?"
Michael Ellwood \nCLAS '92
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