A.S. will discuss the allocation of $1,500 for advertising a concert fundraiser that will raise money for victims of Japan’s recent earthquake and tsunami next Tuesday.
Senior Devon Johnson, a music industry studies major, organized the fundraiser, Hope for Japan, after learning about the recent tragedy.
“I saw the budget crises and protests that followed and it was inspiring to see so many students want to make a change, one of my visions then became unifying the campus,” Johnson said. “I am part of Hope Fellowship, a Christian organization on campus, but want to bring together people no matter their race or religion for this worthy cause.”
Hope for Japan will take place April 23 at 6 p.m. Johnson said it is a continuation of Hope for Haiti, a fundraising event that took place at CSUN last year. CSUNs Taiko drumming ensemble, which studies KumiDaiko style of Japanese percussion, will be one of the featured musical acts at the event. Other student led musicians, as well as actors, poets and dancers will be at the event. There will also be a raffle.
“A booth will be set up to write a letter to Japan that will be translated, any student or community member can write encouraging letters, and there is a church in Japan that will receive them and distribute them to victims of the tsunami,” Johnson said.
The fundraiser will also be streamed live to Japan, so Japanese citizens can watch the event and attendees can see the people they will be helping. Johnson said he hopes it will be streamed to a Japanese shelter, but if that is not possible the people will be transported to a local church to view the event.
“I will be suggesting we reconsider the previous resolution regarding our support for Japan, and hope to approve the amendment requesting the allocation of $1,500 to support the event and clubs and organizations putting on the event,” said senator Melinda Hambrick.
Johnson does not have a defined goal for how much money he hopes the concert will raise, but hopes it will help with the $309 million the Japanese government has estimated they will need so far.
In other news, A.S. approved the 2011-2012 budget, which will reduce the Student Production and Campus Entertainment (S.P.A.C.E) budget by $11,000.
“We are devastated because we tried so hard to limit the cuts, we at S.P.A.C.E plan campus entertainment so students have a reason to come besides school, and this will affect how we plan future campus events,” said Jose Marin spirit director for S.P.A.C.E.
According to Marin the budget for S.P.A.C.E was about $102,000 two years ago, $75,000 this last year, and will now be $64,000 for next school year.
