U100 inducts members to represent SU

By: Talie Tebbi

Posted: 9/10/08

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.

"It's not really open to the entire student body," she said, "and I think they could find people who are qualified in ways besides academically."

Academics may play a role, but it's not the only qualifier for this position. Kaufman emphasizes passion and enthusiasm as common characteristics for applicants.

Carlye Eder, a junior accounting and supply chain management major, remembers her campus tour guide being "bubbly and outgoing," stressing the importance of walking backwards.

Kaufman, like Eder's tour guide, likes to add a little color to all of his tours. He starts each one with the same "cheesy" joke.

"I'm here as a rep of the university," he tells prospective students and their families. "I'm here to tell you everything about this school from how are the classes to what I did last night - to an extent."

He's honest, he says, but there are some lines he will not cross with prospective families. When people ask if he drinks, he says yes, because he's 21, but he would never tell a group about the parties he goes to or lead them to believe that SU advocates underage drinking.

There's always someone on a tour who asks about the party life on campus, said Kaufman, but that's not the worst he's gotten. One father once asked him about the kind of men his daughter will meet on campus, and whether he should worry. Kaufman just tries to keep his answers and his tours upbeat and honest, while promoting "the best of SU."

One thing he is certain about is the school spirit his U100 peers share. Through the interview process and teacher recommendations, applicants show off their orange pride and campus involvement, another common trait for U100 members.

Kait Pennington, a senior magazine journalism and political science major, finds that U100 fits in with her other activities and classes. She was a tour guide before she joined U100, and enjoys finding like-minded peers in the group.

"The average U100 student is the type of person that was in student government in high school, did community service was involved on campus," she said, "because what we do we don't get paid for, it is community service."

Some members are paid through Federal Work Study, but many volunteer their hours ushering and guiding visitors.

For Amanda Gaynor, it's not just work; it's something she looks forward to every week.

"It's one of my favorite things to do during the week," she said. "It's great to know that you are representing Syracuse as a whole."

nstebbi@syr.edu