Spring Break
The Daily OrangeU100 inducts members to represent SU
By Talie Tebbi
Posted: 9/10/08, 1:48 AM EST Section: Feature
Senior Justin Kaufman wanted to be a University 100 member as soon as he arrived on campus four years ago.
Freshmen like Stefan Tessoun don't even know what University 100 is, but vaguely remembers getting a campus tour before he applied to Syracuse University. In fact, he confused it with the popular New York City radio station Z100.
But U100 has nothing to do with pop culture or new music.
Instead, U100 is a group of approximately 114 students who are chosen to represent SU. After an application process that included interviews with two admissions staff members and two peers, about 60 students were inducted to the group Tuesday evening.
Those students will be the university's representatives for the chancellor's receptions, alumni panels and campus tours throughout their time at SU. Plus, they'll get an orange and blue striped rugby shirt, which is a point of pride for Kaufman.
"It's a great article of distinction," he said. "When I have my rugby on I take a lot of pride in wearing it. I'm representing SU, and that's something that's really important to all of us."
Representing U100 may be important to its members, but some SU students don't know the group exists and only about 100 people apply each year.
"I think that part of the problem is it's really not publicized as something to apply for," said Gaynor, a senior public relations and psychology major who is starting her third year in U100.
Gaynor applied for the position with other students from her dormitory, she said, because they happened to know about it, but other students in her class weren't as aware of it and therefore are not represented.
The lack of publicity isn't due to missing diversity; the members represent different races, backgrounds and campus groups. But as Gaynor said, if the admissions office advertised and sought out applicants for U100, there might be even more diversity.
Gaynor used greek life as an example; for an activity that involves twenty five percent of the school, it is poorly represented in U100.
Freshmen like Stefan Tessoun don't even know what University 100 is, but vaguely remembers getting a campus tour before he applied to Syracuse University. In fact, he confused it with the popular New York City radio station Z100.
But U100 has nothing to do with pop culture or new music.
Instead, U100 is a group of approximately 114 students who are chosen to represent SU. After an application process that included interviews with two admissions staff members and two peers, about 60 students were inducted to the group Tuesday evening.
Those students will be the university's representatives for the chancellor's receptions, alumni panels and campus tours throughout their time at SU. Plus, they'll get an orange and blue striped rugby shirt, which is a point of pride for Kaufman.
"It's a great article of distinction," he said. "When I have my rugby on I take a lot of pride in wearing it. I'm representing SU, and that's something that's really important to all of us."
Representing U100 may be important to its members, but some SU students don't know the group exists and only about 100 people apply each year.
"I think that part of the problem is it's really not publicized as something to apply for," said Gaynor, a senior public relations and psychology major who is starting her third year in U100.
Gaynor applied for the position with other students from her dormitory, she said, because they happened to know about it, but other students in her class weren't as aware of it and therefore are not represented.
The lack of publicity isn't due to missing diversity; the members represent different races, backgrounds and campus groups. But as Gaynor said, if the admissions office advertised and sought out applicants for U100, there might be even more diversity.
Gaynor used greek life as an example; for an activity that involves twenty five percent of the school, it is poorly represented in U100.
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