UPB brings entertainment

The University Program Board makes plans to bring better and more exciting groups and speakers to campus every year.

"The reason why UPB brings groups and speakers to JMU is to educate, inform and entertain the JMU community," said junior Corey Schwartz, executive director or UPB. "We like to bring different aspects that will show light of the many different sides of current events and issues that are taking place."

Said senior Evan Bolick, director of issues and cultural awareness, "Each speaker is brought here through an agency," he said.

The process depends on the musician’s or speaker’s routing schedules. If a group happens to be doing a show in a local city, UPB will contact their agent and ask them to come

"Usually, for politicians, prices range from $6,000 for a minor news correspondent to $20,000 for someone like Howard Dean or Marlin Fitzwater, a former press secretary," Bolick said. "The highest level is Al Gore or Bob Dole on the circuit for around $30,000 to $50,000."

Working at UPB "is almost like a professional job that students are doing," according to sophomore Jeremy Paredes, UPB director media and public relations.

For most college students, it is difficult to work a job, let alone a full-time job, into their schedules.

"Behind every director you see," Paredes said, "20 to 30 people are behind him."