SCUE gets 'Scholar' funding from Class of 1927 donations

When students in the Class of 1927 were at the University, they had to run all over campus to find out about the different services offered here. Now, 1927 alums have pledged to change things for incoming students. For its 65th reunion gift this year, the Class of 1927 plans to give the Student Commitee on Undergraduate Education $30,000 to publish The Practical Scholar, a comprehensive guide to academics and student services at the University. SCUE Chairperson David Kaufman said last week the committee will use the money to print 20,000 copies of the book, which will go to the presses in the spring. The Practical Scholar will contain information about all areas of academics at the University, such as academic programs, study abroad, libraries and picking a major. It will also explain the other services available at the University, such as career planning, advising and tutoring programs. "We see The Practical Scholar as being good for academics at Penn," SCUE member Jim Stewart said last week. "It will describe all the academic opportunities at the University in one book so students don't have to go all over campus to get what they need." Kaufman said the book will be sent to incoming freshmen next spring and then distributed to upperclassmen in the fall. He also said it will be used by the admissions office to entice prospective students to come to the University. Wharton senior Kaufman said SCUE turned to the Class of '27 to fund the book after the individual schools refused to give money book because of budget problems. The book will now be called The Class of 1927 Practical Scholar. According to John Manotti, an assistant director of the Penn Fund, the gift will count towards the University's $1 billion capital campaign. Manotti said he expects the class to donate much more than the $30,000 needed for SCUE's project, adding that extra money will go into unrestricted donations. So far, 1927 alumni have donated about $15,000, Manotti said. Manotti added that The Practical Scholar is "an excellent idea" for a fundraiser. "It's more interesting and exciting to raise money for a project because it gives [the alumni] something to concentrate on," he said. "It's one last thing they can do for the University that would put their name in front of the University and the students." Stewart, a College junior, added that SCUE is producing the book on computer so it can be revised in a few years. Kaufman praised the University Development Office for "picking up the slack of the schools," but said the schools should be able to fund projects like The Practical Scholar themselves. "I hope the schools in the future have extra money to support student initiatives," Kaufman said. "Every time now something interesting comes up, it's 'go to Development.' "

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