PUBLISHED: 09-22-08

Letter to the Editor

Re: Pride slinking away from Columbia

On behalf of the College Advising Center, we are responding to Tim Bearden’s commentary in last week’s issue of The Chronicle, “School pride slinking away from Columbia.” We would like to thank Mr. Bearden for his commentary. We truly respect his opinion, and we appreciate his feedback.

With that said, we believe it is important to share our perspective and a bit of the rationale behind the “Slinky” gift.

In 2002, the College Advising Center formerly known as Academic Advising, ordered a number of “Slinkys” to hand out as graduation gifts. The “Slinky” gift was simply a small, inexpensive and fun congratulatory token. In addition to the creatively designed diploma and diploma cover, this token was simply a minimal attempt to say “Congrats!” We concur that a pen would be more practical, equally inexpensive and small, yet not exactly unique. As Bearden states, pens are “handed out like candy on Halloween” at Columbia. The original “Slinky” purchase lasted several graduation classes, and it has not been an annual purchase order since. We have not made this purchase in several years, and the surplus “Slinkys” were distributed through August 2008. Another order of “Slinkys” has not been and will not be made.

In closing, please know that the entire College Advising Center staff takes great pride in Columbia and especially our graduates. We believe a college degree is an excellent achievement and it is due true recognition and congratulations. As a Columbia graduate, we hope the distribution of a fun and unique congratulatory token is your greatest complaint.

Keri Walters & Brian Marth
Directors, College Advising Center

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