The Duke University Union demanded that University administrators give credit where they believe credit is due at its meeting Tuesday night.
The Union approved a letter to be sent to President Richard Brodhead, Provost Peter Lange, Dean of Undergraduate Education Steve Nowicki and Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta criticizing the administration's failure to acknowledge arts-related student groups-DUU in particular-in the recent University publication "Blueprint for Success."
The letter, which was signed, "Respectfully, The Administrative Body of the Duke University Union," has not yet been finalized, but the rough draft distributed at the meeting highlighted a section of the annual report, titled "Enrich the Arts," as displaying ignorance of student participation.
"We were deeply upset by the trend of a lack of focus on major student accomplishments and progress in the Arts section and elsewhere," the letter states, citing in particular the report's mention of Jazz at the Mary Lou without crediting the Union for planning and hosting the weekly event.
The Union said this exclusion from the document is representative of the administration's failure to recognize the group's involvement in the campus arts scene.
It is important for University officials to be aware of the progress DUU has already made in cultivating the arts, said President Katelyn Donnelly, a senior.
"We're accomplishing right along with the University mission, so we should be a part of its arts initiative," she said.
The letter aims to inspire thought among administrators and encourage them to involve the Union in future talks.
"We're hoping that it provokes discussion among the administration and that they'll think twice before they put the letter down about whether our concerns have any merit," said Executive Vice President Lauren Maisel, a junior. "It's not intended to be a harsh condemnation of anybody."
In other business:
Major Speakers Director Isel del Valle, a senior, said author Tucker Max's appearance at Duke is "99.9-percent set." It is slated for March 3 at 8 p.m. in Page Auditorium, and will cost the Union $7,000.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.