Supposedly hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.

Whatever.

Just because Undergraduate Council Vice President Matt Sundquist '09 actually had the not totally half-baked idea of hooking students up with discount cards doesn't mean I'm not opting out of the UC fee.

I'm just going to save more money... ka-ching!

A letter to local businesses, hot off the UC mailing list:

Dear Cambridge Business Owner,

I am writing to you today to offer a partnership on behalf of the students of Harvard College. Every year, the Harvard Undergraduate Council gives out more than $400,000 dollars to students and student groups and the College Events Board spends $200,000 on events for college students. The Institute of Politics, the Office of the Dean of Harvard College, the Harvard Foundation, the Ann Radcliffe Trust Fund, the Athletics Department, and numerous other grant giving bodies allocate money to students and student groups to purchase food, drinks, posters/advertisements, alcohol, t-shirts, and other requisites of college life.

This of course does not even begin to account for the funds that students themselves spend. Surveys show that the average college freshman spends $1205.97 during the school year. While spending levels do decrease, students continue to spend between four and eight-hundred dollars per year during college. Harvard College has nearly 6,700 students and it is safe to assume that a good deal of money spent by students is spent in the area in and around Harvard Square. The Undergraduate Council is seeking partners who will offer discounts to students who present the “UC Card” at local establishments. This card will display discounts offered by local business and, along with explanatory information, will be distributed to every student at the College. This card will be laminated, and we will also give a card to you to keep for your own reference. We would like to invite you to join this program in offering a discount to students.

Depending on what type of business model your establishment utilizes, there are a number of methods we would suggest which could be beneficial both for students and for your business. Please consider the following suggested discount models:

- A universal discount to any student-perhaps a 10 or 15 percent discount on any item. This would attract individuals to purchase items frequently from your business and would also generate free publicity.

-A discount for large purchases. You could offer a percentage discount for purchases over $50 or $100. This would attract student groups or individuals purchasing in bulk, and also would generate enthusiasm for your establishment and create a habit of students frequenting your business.

-Create your own deal for students or a one-time coupon. For example: a buy one get one free deal on some product, or a coupon which could be distributed to every student at the beginning of the year. Each of these would also generate more local business and perhaps attract long-term customers.

I look forward to talking about this with you more, and will contact you within the next week to discuss this further. I can be reached at 540-810-1099 or Sundquis@fas.harvard.edu.

Best,

Matt Sundquist