New Square System Implemented for Orgs Fundraising
A new fundraising method was introduced this semester to make fundraising easier for organizations and clubs on campus. The platform aims to phase out the use of personal Venmo and CashApp accounts as the main source of collecting fundraising money. Orgs Chair Gwen Eckl said that the Office of Student Involvement set up a Square payment system for orgs to fundraise.
“This allows for payments to be sent directly to the org’s profit account, which lightens the workload for everyone involved,” said Eckl. “Students are able to pay the most convenient way for them, meaning that fundraisers are no longer reliant on students carrying cash.”
Eckl said that the use of platforms such as Venmo and CashApp as a means of fundraising was never allowed.
“Although not always enforced, this was a longstanding policy; the use of personal accounts for org business complicated the process and created more work for SOFC and org treasurers alike,” Eckl said. “This policy was not changed for the fall, but cash fundraisers continued to be allowed, as always.”
A platform through WEngage in the future is a possibility to make the fundraising process more seamless for clubs and orgs.
Ruhlman Conference
The 27th Annual Ruhlman Conference will take place on April 11 in the Science Center from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. The aim of the conference is to encourage cooperation among students and faculty from various fields and to enrich the academic atmosphere of the College. It offers a chance for students, faculty, staff and supporters to gather and honor student accomplishments. The Ruhlman Conference promotes academic engagement through hosting a communal, public occasion where students can showcase their work to a broad audience.
“Renewing Democracy” Summit
On April 6, the College will host a group of scholars, professors, alumnae and students to participate in a summit titled, “Renewing Democracy: Women Leading the Way.” The summit’s panels will focus on the state of democracy globally; how misinformation and AI challenge democracy; voting rights; and higher education’s role in strengthening democracy. Speakers include former U. Secretary of State and former US Senator, Hillary Clinton ’69, and two Nobel Prize laureates: Liberian peace advocate Leymah Gbowee, and Maria Ressa, a journalist based in the Philippines who has reported on the impact of misinformation on democracy. Chelsea Miller, co-founder of the youth civil rights organization Freedom March NYC, and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson ’99, a voting rights advocate, will be among the panelists. Arielle Mitropoulos ’19, a two-time national Emmy Award-winning journalist, will emcee the summit. In-person tickets are currently sold out, but people are still able to sign up to view the summit virtually.
Class of 2028
This year, Wellesley received just over 8,900 first-year applications, the largest number in College history. Applicants in the Regular Decision pool were notified of their admission decision on March 16. Overall, 13% of applicants were offered admission to the College. The class of 2028 hail from 47 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and APO/AP, as well as 30 countries outside the United States. 18% will be the first generation in their families to attend a four-year college. 10% are international citizens. 52% speak a language other than English in their homes. 15 were admitted through the QuestBridge National College Match program. This was the fourth year Wellesley suspended the standardized testing requirement, making testing optional for applicants.
