The fine arts series beginsits new season Sept. 15 inthe Maxwell Theatre. Theselection process began after KellyThomas, the director of the Maxwell Theater, received calls from hopefulagents wanting to bring their clients’shows to the venue.

Thomas made a list of the availableperformances and presented thelist to the Lyceum Committee. Thisboard consists of student representativesand faculty members who determinewhat performances the studentbody would like to attend.

“We meet and people bring ideasto that meeting,” Thomas said. “I’m the one who makes most of the contactwith the agents.”

The program, paid for by StudentActivity Fees, provides free performancesfor students throughout the year, according to Thomas. He alsoworks in conjunction with EddieHoward Jr., the acting assistant vicepresident for student life, to fund theperformance.

Once the group agrees on a performance,it is then sent to the StudentActivities Committee, which is incharge of allocating the Student Activity Fees to fund the performance.

“The Lyceum Series’ focus is tobring in things that really support theacademic mission, in regards to exposingstudents to different types ofgenres,” Howard said.

The boards work in tandem toprovide great quality shows, but morerepresentation is needed, the directorssaid. The Student Government presidenthas the ability to appoint studentsto the committees at the beginningof each semester year. There are 60students needed to fill the panels. Theamount of students varies from yearto year but has never filled every seat,Howard said.

Ethan Holliman, a senior politicalscience major, said more student representationis needed to provide a fairsupport of the Student Activity Fees.

“It’s difficult to find this amountof students,” Holliman said. “The power of these choices should begiven to the Student Government Association.”

Students interested in signing upfor one of the groups can go to theSGA website www.aug.edu/sga andclick on ‘Committees’ to view the differentpanels that are offered on campus.A student can also find the necessaryforms to fill out to join a board.

“We’ll kick-off the series withHill Harper, famous for his role on‘CSI: NY,’” Thomas said. “He’s givinga speech titled ‘Building a Foundationfor Your Life’ on Sept. 15 at7:30.”

The Maxwell Theatre will partnerwith the Harry Jacobs Music Societyto present “Cantus” on Nov. 9 at 7:30p.m. This collection, made up of ninemen, originated from St. Olaf Collegein Northfield, Minn., said Linda Bannister,a professor of voice for the musicdepartment and the artistic directorfor the Harry Jacobs Music Society.

The group shows the true meaningof how to communicate within adelegation whether it is with or withoutmusic, she said.

“Singing isn’t just making noiseand getting it out,” Bannister said.“It’s creating a collective sound whereyou really are working with one another.”

Students are completely involvedwith each performance hosted by theLyceum Series. Their involvement ranges from attending performancesto making the decisions on who receives the opportunity to stand centerstage in the Maxwell Theater.

“Our goal is to provide studentsthe opportunity to see things thatthey’ve never even seen before,”Howard said.