Members of Student Union Treasury vote to allocate funds toward bringing actor and dancer Harry Shum Jr. to campus on April 2. Shum, who plays Mike Chang on Fox’s “Glee,” will open with a dance performance before giving a speech on the adversity he has faced in his life. Shum will then field questions and sign autographs.

Shum, 28, is known for his role as Mike Chang on Fox’s “Glee” and is scheduled to come to campus on Saturday, April 2. He will give a five-minute dance performance, followed by a discussion about his background and the adversity he has faced. The program will then conclude with question-and-answer and autograph sessions.

Treasury approved funding the event for $11,290 by a vote of 8-5-2.

Jay L. Clendenin | Los Angeles Times

Harry Shum Jr.

Shum, who has worked as a backup dancer for Beyoncé and Mariah Carey and appeared in “Step Up 2” and “Step Up 3D,” was born in Costa Rica before moving to the U.S.

The Chinese Students Association chose Shum because he would appeal to a diverse swath of the Washington University community and discuss how breaking the nerdy Asian stereotype has impacted his career.

Much of the debate over funding his appearance centered on Shum’s substance as a speaker and whether his fame from “Glee” would overshadow his discussion on adversity.

As part of its fundraising campaign, the Chinese Student Association will be selling raffle tickets to students for the right to sit in the front two rows at the College Hall event or to be invited to dinner with Shum.

Treasury representative Greg Jones, a junior, suggested that Bristol Palin might have been more appropriate on an abstinence panel than Shum talking about tackling adversity.

“I really am confused as to what he’s coming for other than bringing the campus together,” Jones said.

After debating the similarity between this event and the panel that was to feature Palin, SU representatives tried to focus the debate on Shum and the event in particular.

“It doesn’t matter about the credentials; people want to see speakers just because they think they’re cool,” said senior David Cohen, SU vice president of administration.

Chinese Student Association members were excited to receive funding for the event.

“We’re glad the Treasury got past the Bristol Palin thing,” said freshman Victoria Wang, a member of the group. “It’s a different situation.”

Many students are looking forward to seeing the “Glee” star come to campus.

“I haven’t seen ‘Glee’ in a long time, and I’m not really that familiar with his character,” freshman Sam Allen said. “I’m definitely interested in seeing him though.”