SA Profile: Outside Speakers Committee

Aimed at bringing diverse speakers to UR for the education and entertainment of the Rochester community, the Outside Speakers Committee brings one major speaker to campus each semester. Approximately 15 students are active in the group, and all are equally involved in deciding who to invite to campus and organizing and running the actual events. The process by which the OSC chooses speakers to invite is rather simple. According to External Chair and junior Dan Bromfield, while certain speakers are always kept on the backburner, the group brainstorms as to who they would like to see come to UR. After suggestions are made, the committee investigates the logistics of bringing that person to campus, such as scheduling, costs and whether or not that individual gives large speeches. When the day of the speech arrives, the members of the OSC themselves are extremely busy. The group is responsible for securing accomodations for the guest at a local hotel, as well as ensuring that anything else he or she needs is provided. Collectively, the members of the OSC share the responsibility of entertaining the speaker both before and after the speech. The OSC is also intricately involved in much of the behind-the-scenes work. They must ensure that everything runs smoothly, and thus the committee works very closely with UR event staff. Although it can often be hectic and busy, being part of the OSC has its perks. Every active member of the group gets to meet the speakers, and to most of the students, this was a big draw to join the club. Often, the students of the OSC will get to dine with the speaker or attend an exclusive reception or forum after the main event. The OSC is a small group, and as a result, everyone involved plays an important role. “Decision making is much more democratic than outer groups. In OSC, if you come to the meetings, everyone votes and everyone has a say,” Bromfield said. The OSC does not help choose speakers for Meliora weekend, but does give some money to the event. The fall keynote speaker is Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Palestra. Tickets are $17 for the general public and $5 for UR undergraduates, and are on sale now at the Common Market.Sokol can be reached at jsokol@campustimes.org.