SAB Approves $12,000 Request for Comedians

Managing Editor

   Students at the Student Activities Board meeting held Feb.10 debated Omega Psi Phi’s request for $12,000 for comedians Alex Thomas, T.K. Kirkland and Cocoa Brown to perform at the Omega Psi Phi Comedy Show March 27.

Photo by Susan Harmon

Debate - SAB President Michael Reynolds II (right) and SGA President Michael Thomas (left) listen to students debate Omega Psi Phi's monetary request for $12,000 for comedians to perform at their comedy show. SAB meetings take place every Tuesday at 12:45 p.m. in the House Room.

   At the last SAB meeting held Feb. 2, SAB tabled voting on the monetary request for $12,000 for the Omega Psi Phi Comedy Show due to insufficient information. Omega Psi Phi President LaQuinton Peterson provided information to the SAB Feb. 10 through a handout and presentation.

   The handout provided information on the comedians as follows:

• Alex Thomas - starred in several Comedy Central specials such as  “Jamie Foxx Presents”,  “Laffapalooza” on Comedy Central,  “Unleashed: Comedians Off the Chain” on HBO,  “BET’s Comic View”, “Russell Simmons Presents: Def Comedy Jam” on HBO, several appearances on both television and movies such as “Just Married”, “Woman Thou Art Loosed”, “Player’s Club”, “The Jamie Foxx Show”, “Don’t Be a Menace” and “Family Guy.”

• T.K. Kirkland - starred in several comedy specials and various shows such as the “Soul Train Comedy Awards", “BET’s Comic View”, “Jamie Foxx Presents”, “Laffapalooza Are There Any Questions” and opened for artists such as 50 Cent and G-Unit.

• Cocoa Brown - starred in various movies such as “Lakeview Terrace” and “Hitting the Bricks”, appearances on shows and comedy specials such as “Young and the Restless”,  “BET’s Comic Groove” and “Phat Comedy Series.”

   “I know we are asking for a third of the account, but these are quality comedians. The price we can get them for is the price for one comedian,” Peterson said.

   Brittany Pickett, a senior history major, said last year Omega Psi Phi came to SAB requesting money. SAB made an agreement where the fraternity paid half the money and SAB paid the other half. Pickett asked for the reason the fraternity did not raise their half of the money needed for the comedians to perform.

   “The cost for the comedians to come is $12,000. We are taking care of their food and travel expenses,” Peterson said.

   Peterson said the total cost equals approximately $18,000.

   SGA President Michael Thomas said the event provides the opportunity for campus and community to get involved in campus activities.

   “This would be a good representation of SAB and would boost morale of activities on campus,” Thomas said.

   Sandy Herring, a sophomore nursing major, said if SAB voted to give Omega Psi Phi $12,000, then SAB’s account goes down to $7,310 to spend for the rest of the semester.

   “At first, I was against it because it’s draining the account, but after seeing the names I think it will draw a big crowd,” sophomore psychology major Ron Forte said.

   SAB President Michael Reynolds II said half of the money from non-student admission goes back into the SAB account.

   After Herring checked the bylaws, Thomas said, “According to the Constitution if we give them $12,000 and it adds up to $12,000 then it’s their money, but if the total goes over $12,000 then we get that money back.”

   SAB voted to give $12,000 to Omega Psi Phi for comedians to perform at their comedy show.

   Thomas asked SAB for $200 for eight gift cards for Pack the Pit. SAB approved to give $200 to SGA for Pack the Pit that took place at the home basketball games against Delta State University Thursday night.

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