Class of 2002 Selects ADA Fund as Parting Gift

Author: Ashley Elpern

The Class of 2002 and the Senior Gift Committee have selected their gift to Middlebury College following a three day online vote last week. In an overwhelming majority, 312 seniors voted to donate to the College an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) appropriations fund, aimed at making the campus more handicapped accessible. Thirty-seven seniors voted for an unspecified scholarship, 20 selected to designate a new thesis carrel in the planned Library and Technology Center and 13 chose the "other" category.

"The ADA fund was the choice we were most excited about," said Kristie Gonzalez '02, co-chair of the committee. "While we held two open meetings to discuss the options that were not well attended, the turnout for the selection was incredible."

Shannon Egan '02, a member of the committee, echoed Gonzalez's excitement. "All of us on the committee are thrilled with the decision. While there were several good suggestions for alternative gifts, the response for the ADA fund was overwhelming. To be honest, what excited us most was the seniors' response in general. We're hoping that because such a large percentage of the class voted, they are all interested in pledging donations as well."

Gonzalez said the idea for the fund came in part from her realization that Middlebury College is not an accessible campus for people with physical disabilities. She noted that because ADA regulations do not require existing buildings to be brought up to code, students, relatives, alums, trustees and speakers with mobility impairments have difficulty entering and maneuvering around such buildings. "We need to show that Middlebury College wants to include everyone," she said.

While the specifics of the proposal have yet to be determined, Gonzalez mentioned possibilities of a lift into the Natatorium, a platform in Twilight Hall to allow people in wheelchairs to be a part of the audience and universal doors to social spaces as well as within buildings.

Gonzalez and Egan stressed that the ADA gift would raise awareness of handicapped accessibility on campus, but added that mobility is not the only thing that the ADA addresses. "Updating signs around campus in Braille is another way that a portion of the fund could be used," said Gonzalez.

The committee considers this gift as one way for seniors to give back to the community. Egan commented, "As far as the ADA fund goes, I think it's just nice for people to really be able to see that their gift will make a difference here."

As a campus tour guide, she remembered when she led a tour for a prospective student in a wheelchair. She said it was challenging to show that student a full picture of the College.

Now that the senior class has approved the ADA fund, the fundraising process is set to begin. Gonzalez said that both an alumnus and a Middlebury parent have expressed interest in matching the donations raised by students and that the steps are being taken to secure the matching gift.

On April 5, the Senior Gift Committee will kick off its fundraising campaign with a concert in the McCullough Social Space by the student band Skama Sutra.

The concert will be open to all classes and a $5 donation will be requested, as "not only seniors should contribute because the ADA fund affects everyone," said Gonzalez.

Following the concert, the chairs of the committee and its members will be soliciting donations of $20.02 from all members of the Class of 2002.

"People don't always realize and respect the challenges that people with mobility issues go through on this campus," said Gonzalez. "As this fund is an endowment, it will give back to the College every year and when there is new technology to make the campus even more handicapped accessible, those options will be able to be implemented."