SPICE
Class Project Adds SPICE to Student Life
Incoming freshman are treated to food, music, and dance at the SPICE fund-assisted fall 2007 Multicultural BBQ.
Varied and vibrant student life experiences were important to the Class of 1997. So creating a class project that would enable future students to have the same opportunities was an easy decision for class fundraising volunteers.
"As seniors nearing graduation, we had enjoyed almost four years of campus life, and knew how greatly our involvement in non-academic campus activities had enhanced our MIT experience," recalls 1997 Senior Gift Committee member Jennifer Yang '97. "With funds for such activities limited, we wanted to help ensure that other MIT students would have the opportunity to create a positive impact on campus life."
Incoming freshman are treated to food, music, and dance at the SPICE fund-assisted fall 2007 Multicultural BBQ.
The Class of 1997 SPICE (Students Promoting an Improved Campus Experience) Fund, established by the class as part of its Senior Gift campaign, has been supporting student community initiatives ever since.
"The sheer volume and variety of innovative ideas submitted for SPICE fund assistance over the years is terrific," notes former assistant dean for student activities Tracy Purinton.
"Supported events like last year's Multicultural BBQ, sponsored by ten student organizations and attracting over 500 people, really highlight the importance of community to MIT students," notes current assistant dean for student activities Jed Wartman.
Students share experiences at a SPICE fund-sponsored Network of Sloan Undergraduate Women's Coffee Chat.
Alumni generosity since 1997 has helped fuel many such programs, from cultural dinners, comedy shows, and arts performances to networking events, disaster relief fundraisers, and the recently launched international affairs periodical, International Review.
