Student Activity fee to increase

By Benjamin Engle

The Union College Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet during ReUnion weekend to approve the College's budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. However, in February 2010, for the second consecutive year, the Board of Trustees approved an increase in the comprehensive fee (tuition) to attend Union.

The comprehensive fee for the 2010-11 academic year will be $52,329, up from $50,439 in 2009-10, a difference of $1890 for an overall increase of approximately 3.7%. The Student Activity fee, which is included in the comprehensive fee, will also increase in the upcoming year.

According to Karen Chan '10,Student Forum Vice President of Finance, the Student Activity fee will increase from $336 in 2009-10 to $351 in 2010-11, an increase of $15. In 2009-10, Student Forum controlled a budget of approximately $672,000 and will increase to over $700,000 in 2010-11.

The Student Activity budget is funded through the Student Activity fee and is controlled by Student Forum, the overseeing student body of clubs and organizations on campus. Unlike Minerva House budgets, which have a flat fee and have not changed, the Student Activity fee is set to rise with tuition.

The Student Forum Finance Committee is responsible for asking club finance representatives for budget proposals and allocating money from the Student Activity budget for various clubs and events on campus.

"We like to give money for great ideas and events, but we have to make sure clubs and events are not exclusive," Chan said. "Everything is student run and organized for the student body."

As Vice President of Finance, Chan's goal has been to make the Student Forum budget process more understandable.

"My role is to make the budget process more transparent and to help make sure that events and clubs are beneficial to the community," Chan said.

During her tenure as Vice President, she has established mid-year evaluations for clubs to ensure that they are spending their money effectively and efficiently throughout the academic year.

While Chan did not want to release the specific budget analysis for the current fiscal year, most of the money allocated by Student Forum is for the social clubs, not the academic or intellectual organizations.

Even with the annual increase of the Student Activity budget, Student Forum allocates almost all the money in its budget for new clubs and events as well as to increase support for existing programs.

Of its budget during the 2009-10 academic year, Student Forum allocates the most money to SpringFest Committee and to U-Program Committee.

This year, SpringFest was allocated $90,000 and requested and was approved for an additional $20,000 for a total of $110,000 or 16.37% of the total Student Activity budget. U-Program, which offers programming numerous times each term, was allocated $100,000 in 2009-10 or 14.88% of the total Student Activity budget.

While Chan and the rest of the Student Forum Finance Committee carefully analyze the pros and cons of every club and organization on campus before allocating funding, Chan believes that Student Forum needs to be responsible when allocating student funds.

"I am pushing Student Forum to re-evaluate the Student Activity fee for 2011-2012," Chan said. "We can do many things, we can freeze [the fee] or we can have it raise with tuition during certain years."

Even though the Board of Trustees sets the comprehensive fee, neither the administration nor the Board of Trustees has told Student Forum what to do concerning their budget or the Student Activity fee. Class of 2012 Secretary/Treasurer Aaron Glosser '12 believes that Student Forum should look closely at the Student Activities fee.

"Student Forum tends to have a surplus at the end of every year. To freeze or lower the Student Activities fee will have little effect on students, and reduce the strain of college tuition for families," said Glosser. "I believe freezing the Student Activities fee is a good way to decrease the amount that tuition rises each year. Given the current economic turmoil, it is important for every department at Union to think about fiscal responsibility, including student activities."

While Glosser contends that Student Forum has a surplus at the end of each year, Chan believes that Student Activities needs the increase in revenue to meet the expectations that the student body has of the organization.

"Events such as SpringFest cost more to produce and big names are demanded," Chan said.

Additionally, Student Forum has supported a lot of new clubs and organizations on campus, such as Ski Club and Outing Club, and has them expand and plan new events.

Chan also suggested that the Student Activities fee keeps campus speakers, concerts, and club activities, such as bowling, either at no or low additional cost to students, which is part of the draw for many on campus.

Even though Student Forum tries to allocate money to groups that will help students expand their horizons and meet campus needs, they often turn down events because of cost or their overall value that they will bring to campus, such as not allocating money to bring comedian Bill Hader of Saturday Night Live and Superbad to campus.

On the other hand, Student Forum has also had to fund events and clubs that were in danger of being cut due to departmental cuts, such as the club hockey team and LobsterFest.

In previous years, LobsterFest was paid for by dining services. However, this year, LobsterFest costs between $15,000 and $20,000 and is paid for by Student Forum.

"People expect free trips, free SpringFest, but at some point we have to say no because we have to make due with what we have," Chan added.

Chan encourages students to attend Student Forum meetings and voice their opinions on campus topics. Every Student Forum meeting is open to the entire campus and are held in room 410 of the Reamer Campus Center on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

"Student Forum needs to make students aware of the economic recession," Chan said. "We really need to think about proposals to see if an event is cost effective." While Chan believes that Student Forum needs to re-evaluate the Student Activity fee, she believes that the body is moving in a positive direction.

"Student Forum must draw attention to problems, which is not an overnight change because of campus demands and wants," Chan said. "There is more work to be done."

Originally published in Union's Concordy on 4/29/10

Keynote speaker chosen

By Benjamin Engle

Alan F. Horn '64, President and Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment, will address the graduates, friends, and families of the class of 2010 as the keynote speaker at the 216th Commencement Ceremony of Union College, college officials recently announced.

Scheduled for Sunday, June 13, 2010, on Hull Plaza, approximately 500 students in the Class of 2010 will receive degrees during the ceremony.

"I'm honored to be delivering the commencement address and look forward to revisiting the campus in June," said Horn, who will receive an honorary doctor of fine arts degree.

Mr. Horn, who earned an economics degree from Union, later joined the U.S. Air Force for a five-year term, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. While the Air Force Captain hoped to fly jets in the Air Force, he never made it to the cockpit because of his poor eyesight. Instead, he was stationed in Korea where he earned a 3rd black belt in tae kwon do.

After graduating from Harvard in 1972, Horn spent two years in brand management for the Ivory Soap Brand at Procter & Gamble.

After spending time at Procter & Gamble, Horn served as Chairman & CEO of Embassy Communications, a company owned by Andrew Perenchio and legendary produced, Norman Leer.

Prior to 1999, when Horn assumed his position at Warner Bros., he founded Castle Rock Entertainment in 1987. At Castle Rock, where he served as the company's chairman and CEO, he became known for producing successful TV series and films including 'Seinfeld', A Few Good Men, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.

Since his successes at Castle Rock, Horn has made Warner Bros. one of Hollywood's most successful movie studios in recent years. As president and COO, Horn oversees all of the Studio's theatrical and home entertainment operations, including the Warner Bros. Picture Group and New Line Cinema.

During his time at Warner Bros., some of the most popular and profitable films of the industry have been produced, including the Harry Potter series, the most successful motion picture franchise in history, The Dark Night, Batman Begins, Ocean's 11, 12, and 13, the second and third Matrix films, and Million Dollar Baby.

More recently, under Horn's guidance, his studio has produced theatrical blockbusters including Watchmen, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Sherlock Holmes.

Horn is also a member of numerous prestigious Hollywood institutions, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television, Arts, and Sciences.

When Horn returned to the Union campus for the first time in over 25 years for ReUnion weekend in May 2009, he gave a presentation and spoke candidly about his years at Union and experiences in the corporate world.

He also, according to the Summer 2009 edition of the Union College magazine, discussed his transition from an "ill-suited electrical engineering student" to an economics major.

Additionally, during his 2009 ReUnion visit, Horn described his time at Union as " 'great for me,' and a place where he met many friends and professors," according to the Union College magazine.

Originally published in Union's Concordy on 2/25/10

Blue House becomes Messa House

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Blue House of North College will be renamed Messa House at noon on Sat., May 29 as a part of the Reunion Weekend celebrations.

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By Benjamin Engle

Blue House, one of the seven Minerva Houses at Union College, will be renamed during ReUnion weekend to recognize a $2 million unrestricted gift to the college by Frank L. Messa '73, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Colleen Messa.

Blue House will be renamed Messa House during an official dedication ceremony on Sat., May 29, at noon. The Messas chose Blue House to rename because of their family's connection to the Minerva; their daughter Keri Messa '08 was a member of Blue House.

Messa, who retired as senior vice president for International Strategies at the Ayco Company, a local tax and financial consulting firm, earned a bachelor's degree magna cum laude in Political Science from Union in 1973 and received a J.D. degree from Albany Law School in 1976. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and was a finalist for the Albert C. Ingham Prize, given to the student in social sciences with the most outstanding scholarly work.

Though Messa graduated 37 years ago, he has been an active alumnus. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 1994, serving as chairman since 2007. Messa is co-chair of the "You are Union" fundraising campaign and led the Presidential Selection Committee for Union's 18th president, Stephen Ainlay.

The gift by the Messas is just one part of the college's "You are Union" campaign, which according to the Alumni Relations website, has raised $183.1 million as of March 31. The "You are Union" campaign is to support projects outlined in the college's Strategic Plan and was recently expanded, setting a new fundraising goal of $250 million by 2012.

As part of the campaign, the college's goal is to raise $191 million by June 30.

"[The gift] is an extremely generous act of support by a loyal Union family. It says a great deal about their confidence in the college. This gift follows years of support - commitments of time, expertise, and financial resources - including the Messa hockey rink. He currently serves as the Chair of the Board and so he knows that this gift comes at a critical time," Ainlay said. "It shows his confidence in Union and the strategic direction that we are pursuing. Through this gift, the family demonstrates its belief that Union is making a difference."

According to the Feb. Board of Trustees Report by Mr. Messa, the gift will be his second major campaign gift. "The gift will further one of the important initiatives in our Strategic Plan and provide much needed capital to the college during the ongoing financial crisis."

"[The gift] comes at a time when the economic downturn has led many people to be cautious," President Ainlay added. "I hope that the Messa gift will be inspirational to others. As an unrestricted gift, it allows the college to direct much needed financial support to areas of greatest need."

In addition to this contribution, the Messa family has been generous in their donations to the College in the past. The family has provided the funds for the renovation of Frank L. Messa Rink at Achilles Center, the renovation of Schaffer Library, the establishment of the Frank Messa '73 Endowed Scholarship, and the Steinway Piano Fund for the new Taylor Music Center.

Established in 2004, the Minerva Program is made up of seven houses and was created to expand the educational and social experiences of students, faculty, and staff. When they were originally created, each Minerva House was named for a color; however, they were renamed in honor of donors who gave significant contributions to the college.

Chronologically, the houses were renamed Wold House (John '38 and Jane Wold), Golub House (William Golub '26, from son Neil), Beuth House (Philip Beuth '54), Sorum House in 2005 (Christina Sorum, dean of faculty and vice president of Academic Affairs who died in 2005, from Paul Sorum), and Breazzano House in 2007 (David Breazzano '78).

Of the original seven Minerva Houses, Green House is the final house in the program that has not been renamed.

While there are no specific plans to rename Green House at this time, President Ainlay is optimistic that the gift by the Messa family will inspire others to donate to the College during these tough economic times.

"We continue discussions with other donors about the naming of Green House," Ainlay commented. "Our intention is to have it named as well before the end of the current Capital Campaign."

In honor of the renaming of Blue House, the Minerva will host a big party to celebrate the new name after the fireworks display on Library Field during ReUnion Weekend. Open to the entire campus, the Messa House event will have fried dough, slushies, popcorn, and other carnival-style activities.

"Having 6 of the 7 houses named is a big accomplishment," Dean Thomas McEvoy added, "and I would really like to thank the Messa family for their generous contribution."McEvoy is the director of the Minerva program.

Messa House is governed by a council that is elected at the end of each winter term. The council, which is open to all Messa House members, works to create both intellectual and social events as well as create a home-away-from-home feeling for the campus community. It meets on Thursdays at 9 p.m. in the house and is open to the entire campus community.

"We're inclusive. Over the years we've worked hard to reach out to everyone in the Union community and let them know that they are welcome. We try to keep the physical condition and social feeling of the house comfortable," Blue House Faculty Representative Shelton Schmidt said.

"While being at Union I have come to consider Blue House my home. I know that I will continue to come back and visit Messa house and feel the same way because it is a place with a lot of heart!" added outgoing Council Chair, Tamara Linde '10. "When it comes down to it, we don't Messa-round!"

Originally Published in Union's Concordy on 4/8/10