Senior Surprise May Be There Won’t Be a Surprise

By Sebastian DiNatale

As college reaches an end for Gettysburg Seniors, the Senior Surprise, a college-capping party for soon-to-be graduates, is awaited with much anticipation. That is, if it even happens this year.

The Senior Surprise was established last year. Composed of an alcohol distribution tent for seniors and recent alumni, it’s main goal is to provide the senior class one last incentive to contribute back to the college and make connections with alumni.

But questions were raised as to where the funding for such an exclusive, if not disputed, event would be found. The answer came from the Student Senate, pledging to fund the event in its entirety, costing $12,500.

There was very little reservation from the Senate, as the Budget Committee provided a recommendation to fund the event. With this recommendation, the Senate paid the entire cost last year with little controversy, said Hugh McStravick, last year’s Parliamentarian.

“Senators didn’t expect to have to pay for the surprise again this year,” McStravick said, “We didn’t expect to see this year’s Senior Class requesting the same amount. They are claiming that since they were funded last year, so should they be this year.”

But as it approaches a second time, some thought and concern has been expressed regarding the Senior Surprise, especially since students are now aware of what it entails. “I can’t believe that a college that promotes dryness on campus also provides alcohol to its seniors. It’s hypocritical,” junior Chasse Rehwinkel said.

“The Senior Surprise is great for seniors, but horrible for everyone else. It shouldn’t be funded by the school, but by the senior class,” sophomore Andrew Arenge expressed.

But some people, particularly seniors, are committed to continuing the tradition.

“The event is one last chance to give seniors the opportunity to come together and welcome us to the alumni sphere,” senior Joe Gurreri, the president of the Senior Surprise committee, stated. “In order to do this, we need about $13,000.

This year, the Senate is taking some precautionary measures to ensure that this event is not exclusively funded by a body in which Seniors make up 20%.

After a heated Executive Committee meeting, the sum of $2,500 was agreed upon. The rest of the funding needed to come from Development and College Life. Treasurer Maggie McEneney, a senior, expressed concern with the decision:

“If Senate is only giving us $2,500, that means we have to rely on Development and College Life to give us $10,000. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

College Life is hesitant to fund the surprise, claiming it does not fall in their scope of funding. Tom Mottola, assistant dean of College Life, commented on the impracticality of the department funding such an event: “The long term perspective from College Life is the same; Development should be funding the event. Given the circumstances for this year, we’re supportive of College Life working with Senate and Development to find funding needed for the event.”

Upon contacting Development, it was found that no decision had been made as of yet.