Seal staff deserves more credit
We're writing this in response to Jake Remaly's article, "Money can't buy me love - or a yearbook."
We were distressed by the tone of the piece and its failure to address the positive steps the yearbook staff has taken with regard to inadequate funding for the book's production.
In October, we sent out a mass mailing to the parents of seniors, offering them opportunities to purchase a book and buy ads congratulating their children. We had tables at the fall and spring activities fairs, as well as in Eickhoff and Travers. We sent out an e-mail to the entire senior class through the Class of 2007 list encouraging them to purchase a book.
In addition, we sent out multiple e-mails to organizations, asking them to buy $10 ads to congratulate their seniors. To imply, as the article did, that we are not doing everything we can to raise funds is misleading and a disservice to many hardworking people.
We have other plans in the works for reaching out to the campus to fundraise. Unfortunately, without an advisor in place to sign off on vouchers and approve other ventures, we cannot go ahead with our fundraising ideas.
On that issue, the article suggested that we have not taken actions to replace Tony Marchetti. When he resigned six months ago, he was told, and then informed us, that a new advisor would be assigned by the office of Campus Activities. We resumed work on the yearbook. It was not until after winter break that we were told that no action was being taken to rectify the situation.
Finally, the article's statement that staff members considered calling off publication of the 2007 yearbook is false. After the Jan. 22 meeting mentioned in the article, the staff was informed that officials had considered that course of action.
The Seal's staff has never wavered from its goal of preparing the yearbook for its September publication.
As of now, we are continuing to design the book and find new ways to publicize. While we ask the campus for their help, it should be understood that we are not sitting back and waiting for things to happen, but are throwing ourselves full force into making the 2007 book a reality.
2007 Seal Staff
False advertising screws over seniors
I wrote a letter that was printed in the Jan. 31 edition of The Signal about how disappointed I was by the changes made to Senior Week. After I wrote that letter, I didn't think I could be more appalled with this college's administration. I was wrong.
When I picked up last week's copy of The Signal, I saw that now the Class of 2007 might not receive a yearbook. This is absolutely disgusting.
The headlines flash at us every time we open our browsers to check our e-mail: "TCNJ Voted One of the 25 Most Beautiful Campuses," "The Hot College," "TCNJ Receives Record Number of Applications," and finally, "Rated a Best Buy." To those who consider attending the College next fall, I have this to say: buyer beware.
The Class of 2007 is the orphan of the College community and it is the administration who has abandoned us. Like I detailed in my last letter, my class has had to deal with many issues, most of which were decided on without any regard to the effect it would have on students.
For example: transformation changes that have made graduating with a major and minor in four years an almost impossibility; a meal plan that was changed from a popular declining balance system to a weak Carte Blanche program with lesser-quality food and longer lines; our Senior Week is now a shred of the event it once was.
Now, we may be the first class in 90+ years not to get a yearbook. To me, it seems like the administration cares more about getting students in the door than they do about helping their current students create lasting memories.
I could have gotten a business degree at any other school. I decided to enroll at the College because campus visits and viewbooks made this college look like an attractive, welcoming place. I realize now that once the College got my deposit and was able to report my SAT score and high school ranking, the administration stopped caring.
I will make one concession: There are caring faculty members and organizations that try to make the College a great place to go to school.
However, the administration is undermining all the good work these people do. I know we are facing budget cuts. I know times are tough (and I will state for the record that I am grateful that the College still honors my Bloustein scholarship), but the administration needs to step in and help the yearbook committee.
Stop caring so much about how the alcohol policy appears to the public, or how great that news clip about record enrollments looks on the Web site. In short: Stop caring so much about how the College appears to potential students and actually show that you care about the ones that are already enrolled.
There is an entire class of students graduating this May who have only gotten to experience a shred of the milestones that previous classes have.
Again, I refer back to my last letter. The administration wonders why our alumni giving rate is so low. The reasons I detailed above are why. When I graduate from law school and inevitably get a letter in the mail asking me to donate to the College, I will specify where my money goes.
It will go to my rugby team, the club sports program, the Pre-Law program or the School of Business. I refuse to let the administration use my money at its own discretion, because clearly, its priorities are out of whack.
My parting words are to the Classes of 2008, 2009, 2010 and anyone considering the College as their future alma mater: Be careful, because when you're seniors, you don't know what else the administration will let fall through the cracks.
Callan Wright
