Seniors to save time, memories in a bottle

Many have recited the phrase, "The more things change the more they stay the same," but this year's senior class may be the first University group to test it. The Alumni Relations Student Advisory Committee has begun soliciting seniors across the Unversity to donate photographs, documents and virtually anything else that represents their tenure at the University for a time capsule. "By putting them in a time capsule they are being saved," said Jennifer Goodman, ARSAC chairperson. "We'll see how things change and how they stay the same." The cubic foot box of momentos will be stored in the University's archives for 25 years and will be opened at their reunion, according to Gay Lacy, assistant director of alumni relations. College senior Goodman said the idea for the time capsule began last year, but there was not sufficient time to organize the event for the class of 1991. "The students [on ARSAC] decided they wanted to create a project that would be something which would bring the class together," Lacy said. "We hope this will be a new tradition." Lacy and Goodman said several items have already been pledged for the box including a Hey Day t-shirt, a video tape of the upcoming Commencement ceremonies and a copy of this year's yearbook. They said they also want to include memorable copies of The Daily Pennsylvanian -- probably the annual joke issue and a random issue that will give "a slice of life" -- as well as programs from performing groups. "I think it will be a neat thing. I think it should be cool," ARSAC member Whitney Stroutz said. "We're looking for items that are somewhat personable but give a real feeling for what it was like to go to school here." Goodman said the time-capsule project's slogan, "The year 2017 may seem far away, but so did 1992," may be "a little depressing" but hopes that people will remember to submit their momentos. "We'll take anything," Lacy said, noting they plan to accept the first 92 items "within reason." Lacy said for space reasons she would prefer that submissions be paper so they are flat and take up less space. She noted, however, that they do not want to limit seniors' creativity. Donations can be brought to the rear of the first floor of the Sweeten Alumni Center during regular business hours through then end of Senior Week, May 15.

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