By Alyssa Sanford Web Editor
Laura Borawski, the College’s Annual Giving Coordinator within the Division of College Advancement, spoke before the general body on Wednesday, Oct. 14, about the upcoming Day of Giving.
On Thursday, Nov. 5, the College hopes to receive donations from 500 individuals within 24 hours, including donations from students, faculty, staff and community members. All gifts will go to the TCNJ Fund, which is “the College’s annual fund,” Borawski said.
According to Borawski, last year the College raised around $15,000 with the help of 109 donors, but hopes to exceed that level of participation with the #OneDayTCNJ campaign.
Borawski approached Student Government general body members to ask for volunteers. In order to volunteer, interested parties may make a gift to the College in any amount on Thursday, Nov. 5, then promote the event on social media using the hashtag #OneDayTCNJ. Donators are also are asked to contribute a quote to the wall on Green Lawn or on the College’s Facebook page.
While there is technically no “minimum gift” value, Borawski specified that those who make donations in person can donate $1 or more, while those who donate online will have to donate $5 due to credit card fees.
Donations can be earmarked for specific funds, Borawski said. For instance, the SG Scholarship is currently accepting donations, and any gifts made out to the College on the Day of Giving can be allocated to that scholarship fund.
“Every dollar goes toward the resources that you guys use everyday,” Borawski said.
In addition, three new clubs presented before the general body: the Rebel Art Movement (RAM), TCNJ Pre-Veterinarian Club and SPEAR (Students for Prison Reform and Education). All three clubs presented to the Governmental Affairs committee on Sunday, Oct. 4 and were deemed viable enough to present to SG.
Rebel Art Movement, so named because its 14 charter members want to break away from the stifling idea of traditional “arts and crafts,” would replace TCNJ Art Students Association (ASA), which was derecognized last semester by SG when it failed to “reapply for club status,” said SG President Casey Dowling.
The members of RAM mentioned plans to install permanent pieces of art on campus, including a 6’ x 6’ plywood “ever-changing cube” for which anyone in the campus community could submit design ideas.
The Pre-Veterinarian Club, which is open to anyone interested in working with animals regardless of their major, is “a great networking opportunity” and helps people “gain veterinary experience,” according to Governmental Affairs.
As the club is linked to the Animal Benefits Club, all active members of the Pre-Veterinarian Club must attend at least three volunteer hours with Animal Benefits members, according to e-board members.
SPEAR, which provides tutoring services for inmates, is open to students of all majors. Because inmates are tutored in literacy, math and writing, all students are encouraged to get involved, e-board members said.
The club doesn’t need SFB funding because their events revolve around inviting professors and other guest speakers to serve on panels at meetings, according to SPEAR e-board members.
Rebel Art Movement, Pre-Veterinarian Club and SPEAR all formally received SG recognition after a vote.
Executive Vice President Javier Nicasio gave a presentation on proper parliamentary procedure to general body members, in which he offered clarifications of governance terminology and outlined debate etiquette.
Vice President of Student Services Oliva White advertised the t-shirt swap, set to take place on Green Lawn on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The rain location is in the Brower Student Center.
Vice President of Governmental Affairs Ceili Boles was pleased with the turnout for the livestream of the first Democratic Debate. Subsequently, GA will host a screening of the next Republican debate on Wednesday, Oct. 28, in the Lions’ Den.
Sophomore class council President Kelsey Capestro announced that the class will hold an “educational event” open to all classes and majors on Wednesday, Nov. 11, that will cover preparation for job interviews and the search for internships. It is tentatively scheduled to be held in the Science Complex, room 101, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Pending SFB approval, the freshman class formal is set to take place on Friday, Nov. 20. More information is forthcoming.
