For the second consecutive year, the University Bookstore has donated $50,000 of surplus funds to Student Council.
Bookstore Director John Kates said that, while the bookstore has left the distribution of the funds to Council, he hopes "that the donation will benefit as many students as possible."
Last year, Council used $25,000 donated by the Bookstore to purchase a new van for Escort Service. The other $25,000 is earmarked for a continuing program to purchase lighting for the Amphitheater and the Student Activities Building.
Council President Micah Schwartz said they have not yet decided how to use the new funds. Council plans to ask students how they think the money should be spent, Schwartz said.
To do this, Council plans to use representatives to gather information from the student body by informally polling students at well-trafficked places on Grounds such as the Pav and the Lawn, as well as holding regular office hours where students can come and make suggestions, Schwartz added.
Based on this student input, Council then will decide how to spend the funds.
The bookstore is intended to function as a non-profit operation. Therefore its surpluses are redistributed to other University programs.
The bookstore also makes an annual donation of $250,000 to the University's Endowment for Excellence, which is used for need-based scholarships, Kates said.
Kates cited strong sales as the key to continued bookstore donations.
"We have been able to make these donations as a result of the wonderful support we have received from students and our other customers," he said. "Nothing would please me and my staff more than if this support continues and that the business generated at our bookstores is sufficient to make these donations on a regular basis."
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