UW stuff

[rivendellrose]

First meeting of the Senior Gift Council was this evening, and it was actually pretty interesting. 40-some students from all different departments (a LOT of double-majors, I noticed), all tucked up in a very nice board-room up in Gerberding Hall. Among other things, we had President Emmert stop in to speak with us for a decent amount of time, and then started discussing what we'd like our gift to the university to be. Prevailing notions at the moment have been some sort of scholarship endowment, some sort of outdoor sculpture thing, or fixing up some part of campus that already exists but has been allowed to go to seed somewhat.

Additionally, we learned that those wood benches in the quad cost $5,000 a pop. They're teak, apparently. o.O

Anyway, since I know I have a fair number of UW folks here on my list... what are your thoughts? Weigh in, folks, give me ideas! What do you think would be a cool thing for the class of 2006 to leave to the university community?

(No, of course I'm not sloughing part of my new 'job' off on all of you... I'm just looking for input! *g*)

Comments

[ursula]

I like the fixing up a part of campus idea.

One of my personal ambitions is to endow a yearly talk for undergraduates, with funds for a lavish reception :)

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Yeah, there are definitely some parts that could use a bit of love. The problem with that one is finding a spot where the amount of money we'd be getting in (they're guessing between $25,000 and 40,000) would make a noticeable difference that would last for a long time. As opposed to "well... it was better a year ago..."

Hee! I'd totally get behind that plan!

[ursula]

There's the space between McMahon and Padelford which has a little plaque saying it's the gardener's vista or dedicated to the college groundskeepers or something, but which generally looks rather grubby.

The best sculpture on Swarthmore's campus was originally a joke: somebody built a giant replica of the white chairs they used to set out on the lawn in front of the admissions building/ mailroom/ dorm in the spring.

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

Well, I'd say not a sculpture, cause that can go so very wrong. Case in point, that weird thing that's outside of Mary Gates Hall now. Ew. As for what else you guys could do, I don't know. I'll let you know if I think of anything!

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

That's my feeling, too. I practically cringed when the guy suggested it. So hopefully that'll be a big NO. Thanks!

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

Yeeeeeeah... XD

[narsilion.livejournal.com]

I'm glad the meeting was interesting. Sometimes meetings like that can be, well....not interesting to put it nicely. How often are the meetings going to be held?
I know I don't even go to UW, let alone graduating in 2006, but I think the scholarship idea is nice. Maybe something for old ladies in their mid to late 40's. ;D

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Looks like they'll be twice monthly or so, so that won't be too bad.

I'm a fan of the scholarship idea, too, although I do agree with what one of the folks said about it being nice to have something concrete that we can point to and say "I helped make that possible." So, it could go either way, I guess.

[gin2001.livejournal.com]

Hrm... since I am class of 2006 too....

I like the idea of fixing up a part of campus. Or something useful like replacing a bench, or making an area for a new one.

There is this cool little thing between Denny Hall and Balmer hall that has a HUGE stump in it. I always thought it would be REALLY cool if we could turn that stump into a chair/seat thingy that someone could chill in.... But maybe that's a little crazy...

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, I know the stump you're talking about! I like that stump.

I like the fixing-campus idea, but I kind of feel like the benches are a bit over-done at this point. Senior classes have been giving benches since 1910 or something, and I guess the money that goes into them is supposed to go into their upkeep over time, too... so I'm not sure what more we could do with that. Besides, I can't think of any more spots that really need benches. ;) But the fixing up part of campus thing still intrigues me. If you think of any spots on campus that could really use it, lemme know!

[gin2001.livejournal.com]

There is that path near the N Campus Residence halls, behind Lewis Hall, etc. that is ALWAYS in need of help. Parts of the medicinal herb garden need help, and the area right near it with the path near Rainier Vista could use it. Between Seig and Allen library, and the street side over by the back of PAA by the building side sundial-- near 15th and Pacific.

Those were areas that I could at least those I can think of off the top of my head...

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

The medicinal herb garden and the spot near Rainier Vista have both already been mentioned, so those are definite possibilities. As is the area between Parrington and the Law Library.

Thank you!

[coramegan.livejournal.com]

I think the ideas of some sort of outdoor sculpture thing or fixing up a run-down part of campus are great ideas. I don't even remember what the class of 2004 did. Some scholarship I think? *rolls eyes*

[rivendellrose.livejournal.com]

2004 and 2005 both did scholarships, and I believe 2004 also bought a cherry tree for the Quad. The first of the 2004 scholarships will be passed out next year, and the first of the textbook scholarships that 2005 set up will be passed out next year, as well, I believe.

*Is now a font of Senior Gift information, apparently.*

I like either of those options, but I'm a bit leery of the sculpture thing just because... I don't want to end up being responsible for something really weird and irritating, I guess. ;)

[coramegan.livejournal.com]

Very, very good point with the art. My high school had something similar, this terrible, ugly thing that everyone just refers to as "the toilet seat." I think it would be great to clean up or improve a part of campus. Maybe that place by the fountain and Allan Hall, where the construction has really left a scar between the rose gardens?