October 11,1973
VITAE
page 5
VITAE urges student center action
Will the College of Saint Benedict build its students a social center? Much of the answer to that question could depend on those students themselves. Ahem. This means you.
On September 27, the college received five constructions bids from companies willing to build the student center. By October 27, the CSB Board of Trustees must approve one of the building plans or the bids will become void and poof! No student center.
We have 16 days. What can we as students do to insure the acceptance of one of those bids by the college?
Everyone knows this campus needs a student center. The students, the administration, the Board of Trustees are very aware that Mary Commons was built for 500 students, the bookstore is busting at the seams, and that there is simply no place on our square mile for quiet, civilized loitering.
The problem is not insensitivity to the need, but uncertainty about the means. An examination of the construction bids shows that the student center would cost at least $300,000. That is not the sort of money Doctor Idzerda will wake one morning to find in neat stacks under his pillow with a card: For my girls, Stan. Best regards. St. Benedict."
The lack of such miracles has not shaken the faith of the Board of Trustees. But it has them worried. They have appointed Mr. Jim Sassen, CSB Vice-President of Development and Finance, to do his best to find financial support for the center through more secular means. Meanwhile, the Board has indicated it would appreciate displays from the public of both moral and financial support.
That's our cue.
VITAE recommends, first, that the Student Administrative Board immediately pass a resolution assuring the Board of Trustees their cooperation in any fund-raising venture the Boards
might undertake to finance the student center. Second, we recommend that students pull forth their pencil tablets and write fervent notes to the Board telling them that they, also, will stand behind such a fund-raising venture. (Address notes of fervence to Sr. Nora Luetmer, Chairman of Board of Trustees, St. Benedict's Convent.) Finally, we recommend that SAB and students put their heads together and come up with some money-making ideas themselves. Whose center will it be, anyway?
Not that anybody expects a student car wash or dance to raise $300,000. But it's a step in the right direction. In the words of our non-botanical editor, "From such acorns, big pine trees grow!"
You may read in our words a call to action. Very good! You've got until October 27 to convince us you really want a student center at the College of St. Benedict.
Do something. We dare you.
Alumnus receives award
Jane Volkenant is something of a pioneer. Last year she was graduated from the College of Saint Benedict with a major from the economics and business administration departments at Saint John's University. Jane was the first CSB students to accomplish this feat.
Jane recently received recognition for another first. At a luncheon given by the SJU economics and business administration departments, she became the first female recipient of the SJU Wall Street Journal Achievement Award.
Jane is currently an accounting trainee. She is planning to work for the firm of Arthur Anderson and Company of Chicago.
On Oct. 24, the Benedicta Arts Center will host two concerts by the United States Marine Band. Performances are at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. CSB and SJU students may obtain free tickets for the concerts at the BAC ticket office with their student I.D.
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Items for the weekly campus calendar should be brought to the CSB Public Information Office on Carpet Row by 10 a.m. Monday. The calendar is distributed on Wednesday.
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The September issue of the "American Benedictine Review" contains an essay on J.F. Powers' Morte D'Urban by CSB faculty member Ms. Angie Dufner.
Persons interested in participating in an open encounter group should contact CSB counselor Paul Coudron, phone 5687 or 5663, as soon as possible. The group will focus on student concerns and needs. When enough persons have signed up, the encounter group will begin to meet and continue meeting two hours every week throughout the semester. The group is open to CSB and SJU students.
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The Student Minnesota Education Association will hold its secQnd meeting Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Education Building. Mr. Don Nelson, MEA staff liaison to SMEA, will speak on the Future of Education, Refreshments will be served following the meeting.
