Philanthropy at Syracuse University is about long-lasting effects achieved not only through alumni contributions, but through students as well.

‘Syracuse has a really unique legacy,’ said Chelsea Damberg, member of the Student Philanthropy Council. ‘And it’s kind of up to us to continue that legacy.’

Members of the council and SU officials spoke to the Student Association during its Monday meeting, held at 7:30 p.m. in Maxwell Auditorium.

The Student Philanthropy Council is a 12-student board consisting of students from different colleges and years. The council encourages students and alumni to give back to SU in any way they can, said President Dylan Lustig, who is a member.

‘We try to instill a sense of giving back to the university on campus,’ he said. ‘Our job here is to drive home the fact that tuition doesn’t cover the entire cost of education, and it is important that we do donate back to university – even while we’re in school.’

Damberg, a senior policy studies and broadcast and digital journalism major, elaborated on how this will be achieved.

She discussed how the council will hold a series of events promoting philanthropy during the week of April 10. There will also be a greater emphasis on giving from this year’s senior class, she said.

For example, a special tour of the Carrier Dome will be held and seniors will be asked to donate funds to help the cause, Damberg said.

Brian Sischo, vice president of development and director of the Campaign for Syracuse University, discussed the progress of the campaign and how the money is utilized.

Sischo said SU has raised $970 million, $40 million of which has been raised since December 2011. The campaign aims to raise $1 billion by the end of this year. Some of the money is promised in the form of gifts and pledges, an estimated 18 percent of which are delineated in the wills of alumni, he said.

The money does not just go to SU’s endowment, as donors have the opportunity to give to projects they are passionate about, such as student organizations, he said.

Giving back to the SU community can also take other forms like offering internships and mentorships or hiring SU graduates in the future, said David Murray, executive director of special campaigns and initiatives.

‘We’re really all philanthropists,’ he said. ‘Giving is voluntary. It’s as true as for giving time as it is for stuff.’

Later in the meeting, Ben Jones, vice chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee, discussed initiatives such as having the SU Bookstore provide binders for loose-leaf textbooks and changes to the printing quota policy.

Jones said many students find loose-leaf textbooks without binders difficult to use and suggested that general assembly representatives send out surveys to gauge the interest of their constituents on this issue.

In his presentation, he also discussed the committee’s plan to overhaul the printing quota policy, which has many flaws.

‘Certain majors print more than others,’ he said. ‘Some classes don’t even have textbooks, they just print stuff out. Other people don’t print much at all.’

Elections were held for positions on the Board of Elections and Membership and for the University College general assembly.

Minji Hwang, a College of Visual and Performing Arts representative, ran for a seat on the Board of Elections and Membership and was elected by the general assembly.

John Adams, a senior in University College, ran for the sole representative seat. With his confirmation, he is the first representative for University College in SA. The position was added this session, marking the first time this group has a voice in SA.

Other business discussed:

A bill requiring home college committees to meet once a month was passed by the general assembly. The bill’s language was amended from last week to include a provision to assign two demerits to all assembly representatives if the meeting is not held.

Jones introduced a bill that will formally codify the existence of vice chairs of committees and their responsibilities in the SA codes.

dmsegelb@syr.edu 

Published on March 26, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Dylan: dmsegelb@syr.edu | @dylan_segelbaum