Group debates The Shirt deal
By MATT BRAMANTI
News Writer
Executive Cabinet members met Monday night to discuss programming and the group's ongoing strategic planning process, but the status of The Shirt dominated the conversation.
Some members expressed concern that the Hammes Notre Dame Bookstore has been profiteering from the success of the originally student-run project. Peggy Hnatusko from the Office of Student Activities explained that The Shirt's financial agreement with the bookstore only covered the original order of approximately 44,000 shirts. When those shirts sold out, a new agreement was reached that allows for a much smaller payoff for student groups.
"It's very little, compared to what we were getting," said Danielle Ledesma, president of the Judicial Council.
Student Body Vice President Trip Foley agreed, but noted that the agreement caused less risk for The Shirt's student sponsors.
"There was no downside for us," Foley said.
The kelley green shirts have proven enormously popular, as some 90,000 have been sold to date. The bookstore has expanded the line of products to include sweatshirts, hats and other items emblazoned with the "Return to Glory" motto. Student Body President Libby Bishop has invited Courtney Schuster, president of The Shirt Committee, to explain the project's financial situation at next week's executive cabinet meeting.
Junior class president Meghan O'Donnell presented her organization's strategic plan, which focused on class unity.
"About half the class goes abroad during the junior year, so we want to maintain unity for students here and abroad," O'Donnell said.
Her plan aims to organize programming and social activities to foster cohesion among members of the class of 2004, and juniors in future years. The plan also addresses juniors' concerns about what the future holds.
O'Donnell said the plan attempts to allay students' fears about jobs, internships, and graduate schools, by encouraging students to use the University's existing resources.
"We want to get students talking to professors outside the classroom," O'Donnell said. The strategic planning initiative will continue at next week's meeting, when senior class president Matt Smith and off-campus representative Dan Barabas will present their 10-year plans to cabinet members
In other Executive Cabinet news:
Student leaders welcomed new member Dave Baron. Baron, a Morrissey Manor resident, was elected freshman class president on Oct. 16.
Senior class president Matt Smith encouraged members of his class to bring a white T-shirt and attend a marker-fueled "Signature Event" Wednesday night at the Alumni-Senior Club. The evening will "bring Senior Bar back to its former glory," Smith said. Attendees will have the opportunity to win $100 in Domer Dollars.
All News Stories for Tuesday, November 5, 2002
