In past years, student organizations at the College have had their yearbook photos taken standing against the brick exterior of the Brower Student Center.
This year, however, The Seal, the College's yearbook, is giving groups the opportunity to provide their own pictures.
According to Diane Yee, Seal editor-in-chief, the way the pictures were previously taken "doesn't really show the campus community anything about the group."
Yee added that the new option will allow the pictures to "be more characteristic of the organizations."
The Seal sent notes to all groups on campus several weeks ago, informing them of the change and giving them instructions on how to submit their pictures.
Pictures must be placed in the Seal's mailbox in the Campus Life office located on the second floor of the Student Center by Nov. 15.
Tony Marchetti, Seal advisor, said that if groups do not opt to have their own pictures taken they will still have the opportunity to have their pictures taken for free by a Seal photographer.
As in the past, sign-ups for these picture dates will appear in an upcoming issue of The Signal.
Merin Studios of Philadelphia willl take senior pictures for The Seal this year, according to Marchetti.
Prices for the portraits run from $153 to $183, depending on picture size and quantity, according to information provided by Merin.
Students will also have to pay a sitting fee that covers the cost of the yearbook and shipping charges after the yearbook is printed.
According to Marchetti, the fee for 2004 has yet to be set, but the average cost for college yearbooks usually hovers around $70.
"The cost of the College's yearbook has been, and will likely remain, well below average," Marchetti added.
This is only Marchetti's second year with the Seal.
From 1987 until 2002, Kenneth Kaplowitz, associate professor of art, advised the yearbook.
"It's a full time job, it never really ends," Kaplowitz said. "You're finishing one and already you're starting the next one."
Work on this year's Seal has already begun, but the finished product will not be available until the summer so that commencement can be included.
"It's a drawback," Yee said, "but you get graduation in there. I'd rather have no signatures so I can see myself in my cap and gown at commencement."
