MCSG funds for spring semester activities underestimated

Dear Macalester students:

I have good news. I want to clarify an error presented Tuesday in the LB meeting. We initially believed there was only $12,777 in the Operating Account of MCSG. This amount was the balance left after determining the spring allocation. Since the LB meeting, we found out from the Business Office that this balance does not include the spring activity fee for all full- and part-time students. That means that the spring activity fee has not been credited into our accounts by the Business Office yet. This will happen as soon as final enrollment numbers are determined for the semester. Thus according to the new figures we will have $12,777 plus the spring activity fee left to be allocated for this semester. We apologize for any inconvenience and confusion this may have caused. We will have the actual figures by the end of March. MCSG and FAC look forward to supporting the programming efforts of all student organizations this semester.

Hashaam Sheikh ’06

Financial Advisory Committee Chair

Macalester College Student Govt.
 

Macalester students aid community by contributing food over Thanksgiving

Dear Editor:

In recent months there have been numerous discussions about college and university students and their impact on the community. Many of the comments have not been positive or appreciative of having these institutions in our neighborhoods.

I believe it is important to share what students are doing to make our communities better places. Our agency has benefited greatly from having numerous colleges and universities in our community.

Keystone Community Services, formerly Merriam Park Community Services and Neighbor to Neighbor, is a community-based, human service organization serving the Midway and North End areas of St. Paul, the north suburban communities of Ramsey County and beyond. The mission of Keystone Community Services is to strengthen the capacity of individuals and families to improve their quality of life.

Keystone Community Services operates a variety of human service programs for all ages across our service area at 16 sites. Our programs include a preschool, in-school and after school programs for at-risk school age children and youth, IDT (an alternative education and support program for at-risk adolescents), the Midway and North End Family Centers, four food shelves, case management for seniors, the disabled and at-risk families, a comprehensive Seniors Program that provides Meals on Wheels, peer counseling, programs for active seniors and a senior jobs training program.

This fall Bon Appétit gave students the opportunity to give up their meals over the week of Thanksgiving, and students and staff were able to donate food and money at Café Mac to assist the Merriam Park Food Shelf. Major sources of non-profit income are down. And at the same time, the Greater Twin Cities United Way Reports a 35 percent increase in calls to its information and referral service compared to last year. Likewise, demand at Keystone's food shelves has grown by 30 percent in a single year. Every donation of time, food or money helps.

We did not expect the level of support of the students, staff and faculty of Macalester College who responded to the Thanksgiving Food Drive. Over 500 people participated, collecting over 400 pounds of food and raising $2,514.82. In the past this event has raised a couple of hundred dollars. We were truly amazed and appreciative for everyone's assistance in helping those in need in our community.

Students, staff and faculty not only assist Keystone Community Services but many other agencies in our community. We could not help so many individuals and families without their assistance.

Please relay our thanks to the student body, and our appreciation to the staff of Bon Appétit and Café Mac for all of their work that made the Thanksgiving Food Drive such a success.

Denise Rene Wollenburg

Keystone Community Services

Volunteer Services Manager