The Columbia Association nixed a proposal to donate $200,000 to Howard Community College?s art center after weeks of debate.
Columbia Association Board of Directors Phil Marcus made the original proposal to help fund the college?s $20 million Peter & Elizabeth Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center, which is scheduled to open later this month.
Marcus cast the sole vote in favor of the measure at Thursday?s board meeting.
Board Member Pearl Atkinson-Stewart abstained, because she used to work at the college. Board Member Barbara Russell was not present.
Some members said they voted against the donation because the association would have had to borrow money to pay for it.
“The Columbia Association should not be taking large sums of money from the lien payers and giving it to other organizations,” Board Member Phil Kirsch said.
Several supporters of the college spoke in favor of the donation during the resident speak-out portion of the meeting.
“A strong arts program housed in an exemplary space provides opportunities for students to learn to express and present their ideas with clarity and poise, as I hope I am doing tonight, thanks in large part to the training I received at HCC,” said Ian Kennedy, a former HCC student.
Board Member Patrick Von Schlag suggested that the Columbia Association foster strong relationships with the college in ways that help those who are disadvantaged.
“If we began looking at programs or a scholarship fund that make the arts more accessible to a broader range of people, it would have had more support,” Von Schlag said.
The Association has never made a major donation tothe college.
