We often need to break from tradition in order to make a change. This is especially true in 
established organizations. Programs in a business or organization can become encumbered with the expectation of mediocrity, regardless of how hard they try to succeed. Being a heretic can disrupt this pattern, especially if the heretic’s ideas result in a changed outcome.
In 1992 I served as the events chair for Oregon State Universities Memorial Union Program Council (MUPC), charged with bringing entertainment to the student body. The organization had a long history of draining the universities funds. A poorly planned event a few years before had left the administration having to pay Jay Leno for a costly failed event. His show had been scheduled on a Monday night during midterms. Each concurrent event was saddled with the task of adding its contribution to paying the debt.
So now it was my turn to bring a musical concert to OSU. I was told to book someone affordable (under 5K). The administration was already braced to lose money on the concert, but they wanted to keep the losses low. As I looked through the stacks of bands that promoters were offering me for that price, it quickly became apparent that there was no way I could book a band that would both satisfy the students desire for good music and keep within the administration’s budget. It seemed hopelessly set up for failure.
That evening I was listening to music with my roommates. One of our favorite alternative bands was The Violent Femmes. My friend Doug suggested that I book the femmes! At first I laughed. I knew they were nowhere close to being within my budget. I also knew the administration would frown on having a band named “The Violent Femmes” play on campus.
As I thought about it more, the rebel in me awoke. Why not? I knew I could fill any venue on campus. Just about any social group I could think of liked the femmes. You couldn’t attend a party without one of their hits, Blister in the Sun pumping out of the speakers at least once.
I called their promoter the next morning. I was shocked to find out that it would take over 10k to book them. There was no way I could get that much out of the university. Still I could not resist. I wanted to buck the system and take a risk. I knew it could work. I told the agent I would call her back. How was I going to approach the school with this crazy idea?
To my surprise, after a bit of nervous assurance from me, the administration agreed to front the cash, and I booked the band. The event turned out to be very successful. The fans were pleased, and the school made money on an event for the first time in years. I could have booked a mediocre band with no risk. Low ticket price meant minimal loss would incur. What’s the fun in that though? Being a heretic can pay off. Try it on and see what happens.
I would love to hear your heretic stories.
McAlexander Fieldhouse hosted a full house for the Femmes
