Government of the Student Body President Jonathan Turk has decided not to sign the bill passed by the senate to create a student-focused theater. The bill, which calls for the Varsity Theater to be leased and converted into a student-run Cyclone Cinema, passed in a 28–2 vote at last Wednesday’s GSB meeting.

Turk’s decision not to veto or approve the bill means it will pass without his support.

“I’m supportive of what this project could do, and I believe that this project is a good idea,” Turk said. “Having said that, there are plenty of wonderful, great ideas in the world. That does not necessarily mean that it’s the proper time for those things to come into fruition.”

Turk cited concerns with the project’s business plan as a large reason for his decision, explaining that the proposal says, with “optimistic predictions,” the theater will have a $60,000 deficit.

“Whatever deficit that is accrued by this theater … is going to be [passed] down to the student organizations that receive student activity fee money,” Turk said. “I would rather see student organizations spend their money to do what they do, as opposed to us create a venture telling them how their money should be spent.”

Another reason behind Turk’s decision was his belief that not enough “objective student opinion gathering” had been done regarding the project proposal.

“I do not believe that we have done our job properly to … accurately gauge, objectively, the student opinion on this campus,” Turk said.

Turk referenced the e-mails he had received from students since Friday, voicing their opinions in favor of or in opposition to the bill. The number of e-mails against the bill outnumbered those supporting it.

“None of these individuals who wrote objections to this, to me, sounded like they were ill-informed about the general project,” Turk said, adding that none of the opposition e-mails, except for one, were from GSB members.

The decision not to sign or veto the bill ultimately came from two things, Turk explained.

“I do have serious concerns, and do not feel comfortable putting my name to this project,” Turk said.

However, although he has chosen not to lend the bill his support, Turk said he is “choosing to pay deference to the senate.”

“This body has the ability to legislate and make law,” Turk said. “I disagree with the notion that enough information had been gathered … however, it is their power to determine this money.”

Because of these reasons, and the large margin by which the vote was passed, “vetoing it would simply delay the inevitable,” Turk said.

The next step for the project is a bill based on the legal aspects of the lease. Turk said when the lease is discussed in the senate, the debate could turn back to the project’s merits.

Should that bill be approved by the GSB, the proposal will be presented to the Board of Regents. Turk will join GSB Vice President Chandra Peterson and Finance Director Tom Danielson in the presentation.

“I do not feel that it is in the best interest of the student body, despite my own opinions, which I believe are supported … to prevent this from at least getting the chance to be approved by the board,” Turk said.

Turk said he respects the work that was put into the proposal and the time the senate spent debating the bill. However, when the board considers the proposal, Turk said he will present, in open session, all of the student feedback he has received.

The proposal would need to be finalized by mid-March in order to be submitted to the Board of Regents as a docket item for its April 29 meeting, Turk said.

“I do strongly believe that there are enough concerns that this project … I don’t believe, at this state, is ready to occur,” Turk said. “Having said that, I want it to be given a chance. And I think it deserves that chance.