“Great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance. What will your contribution be? How will history remember you?” this quote is from William Hundert , a teacher in the movie The Emperor’s Club.
Over the past few weeks, students have seen the the many proposals for 2012-2013 fee increases. This serves only as a reminder to the amount of money the Talley Student Center Renovation and Expansion Project is already taking up. Many would believe the fundraising effort for the project has failed. I tell you this is far from the truth.
At this very time, students, faculty and staff are working together to construct a document, which will be disbursed to potential donors very soon. This packet will target certain areas in the new center: Student Organization Resource Center, Senate chambers, ballroom, etc. to provide information of these services to potential donors and encourage them to contribute financially to the project by funding one of these areas in the building.
Every dollar outside sources contribute is one less dollar students will have to pay. I am a student, and I want just as much as others to see the reduction of this fee and/or the reduction in years students here at N.C . State have to pay in the future to fund this project. I promise you, I push for this every day as the president of our student centers.
While the framework of the project has been pretty much finalized, the interior is still under discussion. We need student input now more than ever as we make the decisions regarding interior painting, furniture, art, design and more. Committees have been developed to focus on these very issues and we need you.
If you are interested in serving on a committee, please send me an e-mail. Visit go.ncsu.edu / newtalley to learn more about the project. Talley Table Talk will also be held in the lobby of Talley Student Center from 9 a.m . to 9 p.m . on Nov. 9. Town Halls will be held that same day from 3 to 4 p.m . and again from 6 to 7 p.m .
Engage the Table Talk and ask questions. This is your project, so you have the right and the duty to tell us what you want. We can never forget throughout the building of this facility, this is a student center first and foremost. It is focused on students, here to serve students and will be the new hub of student life. This is our building. Make the project yours.
Mr. Hundert got it right when he said “great ambition and drive is insignificant if you don’t make a contribution.” We have great ambition and purpose, and this project represents our contribution to our university. I hope you agree.
Jonathan Smith is the Student Centers Board of Directors President, e-mail him at [email protected] with your concerns and ideas, or submit a letter to the editor to [email protected] .
