SEAS Returns to Shelves

Students from the School of Engineering and Applied Science are fighting to re-establish the presence of Columbia Engineering merchandise in the Columbia Bookstore.

The Columbia Bookstore currently sells merchandise touting Columbia College, Barnard College, Columbia Business School, and Columbia Law School, but not Columbia Engineering. Rajat Roy, SEAS '10, and Kelly Chen, SEAS '10, have led the effort on behalf of the SEAS 2010 Class Council.

Roy explained that SEAS merchandise was pulled because of poor sales. Previous SEAS councils have attempted to change the policy without success.

"The bookstore likes to support different schools, but when the merchandise is brought in, they don't necessarily sell that well," Honey Sue Fishman, executive director of business services, explained.

"We decided there's enough interest now," Roy said.

Roxanne Shirazi, the Columbia Bookstore manager, said that she is waiting for the council to finalize the graphics for the merchandise. The council initially presented the bookstore with five items. After showing them to Shirazi and Marvalyn Finney, the merchandise manager, the merchandise has been narrowed down to three items: a hooded sweat shirt, a T-shirt, and a shot glass.

Chen explained that once the items have been approved and the orders are placed, it takes about five weeks for them to arrive at the bookstore.

Shirazi said that they hope to have merchandise available by the graduation fair, which starts March 20.

The council's efforts mirror those of Columbia College Student Council, which worked to put Columbia College apparel back on bookstore shelves last year. Columbia College merchandise was in stock before commencement, allowing graduating students and family members to buy it.

Heather Lee, SEAS '10 and president of the first-year class council, stressed that SEAS students should show support by buying the merchandise.

"We need to do a lot of advertising this year," Lee said. "We need all four years to send out e-mails just so they know what's going on."

Some SEAS students have expressed their excitement about being represented in the bookstore.

"I think it's pretty cool," Alex Garcia, SEAS '10, said. "I'm definitely going to buy a T-shirt or a sweat shirt."

The continuation of the SEAS line hinges on the success of sales, but Roy said that he will continue to insist on the availability of SEAS merchandise.

"We'd be more than willing to try again until it catches on," Roy said. "We're the only school that isn't represented. We consider ourselves to have an identity, and we're fighting for it."