Editorial unfair

Let me first say that it feels wrong to at this point in time to quibble about such matters as concert cancellations. I take no joy in writing this, or answering to such relatively insignificant accusations.\nThere are similarities in this most recent IDS editorial ("Can't count on Union Board," Sept. 18) to the great majority of its predecessors: it relates its hindsight opinion on what it considers yet another failure by a group of hardworking IU students. As before, it does so with a seeming disregard for the infinite variables and obstacles which reality presents on a daily basis.\nThe difference in the editorial this article is responding to is that it was so bold as to question the competence of those on the front lines. For the past three years, our concerts directors have gone on to successful careers as professional concert promoters. There are no reasonable grounds from which question their competence in fulfilling their duties. Along with the promoters, assistant directors, committee members and satisfied Bloomington concertgoers, I share an unyielding confidence in their abilities. \nOur concerts director communicates with management on a regular basis. He communicated with them Thursday, the afternoon before this incident, and was told nothing of a potential cancellation. Apparently, this key information was ignored for the purposes of Tuesday's editorial. \nAt best, it seems irresponsible to write an editorial on the alleged lack of communication between Union Board and Counting Crows management without asking for specific accounts of such communication. To go a step further and insist that it was the cause for an ill-timed concert cancellation is not only unfounded and ridiculous, but it reflects a lack of comprehension of the concert industry and how it works. There is nothing anyone on Union Board or the campus at large could have done to prevent last-minute decision made by the management of Counting Crows.\nFortunately, when the dust settles, everyone gets their refunds, and still more hindsight replaces baseless speculation with fact, this misfortune will be seen simply for what it was: a band canceling a string of shows, one of which happened to be booked on the Bloomington campus. \nIn the meantime, I wholeheartedly encourage every interested IU student to voice their opinions on current and upcoming concerts in a far more productive venue: one of Union Board's Concerts committee meetings. I thank the IDS for its increased Union Board coverage, and eagerly anticipate their equally intense interpretations of our victories.\nRegardless, we will continue to serve this campus and this community with our very best.