One of the most controversial filmmakers of the last decadecould be on campus in the next school year -- if the price isright.
Michael Moore is still deciding whether or not he will come toThe University of Memphis in October for a lecture and booksigning, according to his agent, Lisa Bransforp.
The U of M's Student Activities Council put in a bid of $30,000,considerably less than the $40,000 amount Moore's agent said theFahrenheit 9/11 director would "settle for."
In addition to the speaking fee, Moore has private aerationneeds, as well as the need to travel with bodyguards, Bransforpsaid.
"After Fahrenheit 9/11 was so successful, he could command alarge speaking fee," U of M Honors Student Council Director MelindaJones said.
In May, The U of M Honors Student Council asked the StudentActivities Council to co-sponsor bringing the Bowling for Columbinefilmmaker to campus. Once the budget was approved last month, SACgave the go-ahead to invite Moore.
The students were overwhelmingly interested, said HonorsDirector Melinda Jones.
While The U of M was supposed to get an answer about whetherMoore accepted the bid in mid-July, Jones said she was told Moorewanted to do a tour of swing states and had not yet decided aboutany speaking engagements.
"Michael Moore -- whether you love him or hate him -- few peopleare neutral, and it is a good way to spark debate," Jones said.
Much of the support for bringing Moore came from the humanitiesfaculty because they are teaching a class on the issues ofinternational economy and Moore's film. The Big One addressesoutsourcing by "railing" against the CEO of Nike who moved jobs toIndonesia, Jones said.
SAC's Issues and Ideas chair Eric Sirignano said bringing Mooreto campus would be educational and of interest to students.
"He has this wonderful film out, and it would be great to havesomeone who has collected so much information on his ideas of whatis going on in Iraq, and I think it will be good for students tohear what he has to say," Sirignano said.
If Moore accepts the invitation, the event will be held in theRose Theatre and will be free to students.
