Every Tuesday afternoon, students in the Student Union Building (SUB) are provided a free performance from UFV’s own Cambree Lovesy. Lovesy, a talented student who has up to a few thousand views on her YouTube music videos, has performed shows at popular venues such as the Roxy Cabaret in Downtown Vancouver, and released her newest album Kiss My Boots in November 2018, has been hired by the Student Union Society (SUS) to perform weekly for students in the SUB.
SUS shut down the building’s canned music just over a year ago, which was played throughout the main hall, allegedly due to complaints that the songs were inappropriate for a school environment and too distracting for students. Since then, SUS has had a change of heart and decided to showcase music once again — but this time, live music from a UFV student. It is important to note the difference in listening to background music when studying and working on assignments, to loud live music right in front of you. One is easy to tune out to focus, while the other is less so. It is also worth noting that students would not bring their homework and study material to a concert — so why is a concert being forced onto students in one of the most popular student study halls on campus?
Some may recommend that if a student does not want to listen to live music, they can go elsewhere on campus, but any student at UFV knows seating is limited around campus. The library is always full, and if you don’t book a room you’re out of luck. The cafeteria is known for being loud because it is a food service location and a place to eat — not necessarily study. As for Building A? Good luck finding a table near the Spirit Bear coffee shop that isn’t already occupied by one person guarding the entire table for themselves.
Lovesy is paid for her performances by SUS. This is funded by student fees — so shouldn’t students have a say in who we hear perform? (If we decide to hear anyone perform at all.) Personally, there is only so much of Vance Joy’s “Riptide” that I can hear on a weekly basis, and don’t get me started on “Cowboy Take Me Away” by the Dixie Chicks.
I wonder if SUS would consider allowing other students to be represented, and showcase their talents. UFV has many other talented students. Right off the top of my head, I can think of Sabrina Van Tol, a criminology student with an amazing singing voice, as well as Joshua Goodman, a psychology student who, if you closed your eyes, you’d swear you were listening to Eminem rap. I’m sure the student body would be eager to support their fellow students and allow other students to make money for performing their talents. Allowing other students to present their talents not only brings entertainment to the SUB, but also unites students in a way that, in comparison to other universities, UFV lacks.
