Union’s yearbook, The Garnet, is currently defunct, according to Kerrie Wolf, Assistant Director of Student Activities. The yearbook has been published on an annual basis since 1877, with the exception of a “transitional period” in 1892 and the aftermaths of World War II in 1946. Right now, it looks as though 2011 may be added to this short list of absences.
The Yearbook Club is responsible for the production of The Garnet. Just like any other club on campus, it requires dedicated members.
“If the leadership doesn’t exist, the club tends to fail,” said Wolf. Right now, it appears as if Yearbook Club has failed. This uncertain state of what Wolf describes as “not a very functional club,” however, is nothing new.
Wolf noted a general lack of interest in the publication in general, citing that only half the class is normally pictured in the yearbook because only about half the class is willing to sit for the picture. This situation has continued to occur despite the fact that the sitting is free of charge and there is no obligation to buy anything afterwards—even the yearbook itself. Though the publication itself costs around $40,000 or $200 per book, the yearbook has always been sold at a discounted rate of $60, $10, or even given away for free. However, even this incentive was unable to promote the interest the publication as needed.
In addition to a lack of student interest, leadership is also majorly lacking in the organization. Since the yearbook pertains exclusively to the senior class, the overwhelming majority of those involved in its production have been seniors.
The book is traditionally finished after graduation, in order to include the event but since Wolf has been at Union, this post-graduation finishing has never been completed on time for each graduating class—the publication often does not come out as expected in the fall and is more likely to be released in the winter or even spring of the following year.
Currently, the last class year to have a yearbook was 2009. Interest in the compilation of the 2010 class yearbook came late last year. Due to the time gap and late start, Wolf states that yearbook for the Class of 2010 is still in the process of being assembled and will hopefully be released as a publication.
Currently, there are no staff in place to work on the yearbook for the class of 2011. No one took an interest in the club last spring or filled out a budget proposal in order to get the necessary funding for a publication this year. Thus, not only does the yearbook have no interest or leadership, it also has no budget.
Wolf has stated that the failure of the club is not necessarily irreversible. On the contrary, if interest and leadership were to appear, the yearbook could likely be a publication.
Wolf explains that a digital publication or Snapfish collection of memories would be a possible, less expensive option. By appealing to Student Forum, Wolf states that funding for a publication is also within reason.
This revival of the yearbook club is only a possibility if people have a desire to publish a yearbook commemoration.
Wolf states that “people need to decide” whether the senior class wants the annual yearbook or not.
Based on the club’s current nonexistent status, it appears that the yearbook will taking a hiatus.
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Last year, at my special request, or pleading, my then senior son dragged himself over to wherever to take his photo for the yearbook. He called me to tell me he had just made the deadline. I remember the day he visited Union four years earlier, and I recalled flipping through some old yearbooks that day as I waited. I wondered what happened to last year’s yearbook. Thanks for the update. If there is one for C’2010, I am definitely buying.
Working on it! It’s really a lot for just one person.
I am a member of the class of 1972. This is a sad development, particularly in light of the Garnet’s storied history of editorial and artistic excellence. This was especially true in the late 1960′s and early 1970′s when a small but inspired group of creative individuals published bravely original and creative yearbooks (then known as the Union Book) that are poigniant and evocative chronicles of that tumultuous time in the college’s history.
I’m one of the Co-Editors-in-Chief of the yearbook this year (We just brought it back from the dead). I’ve been studying the yearbooks from the late 1960′s and the early 1970′s and they are my favorite Union College yearbooks! If you know of a way I can get in contact with any of the individuals responsible for those books, please let me know!
I am the other Editor-in-Chief of the undefuncted Garnet Yearbook (pure coincidence that we both came across this article today!).
I completely agree with Adam, the yearbooks from both the 60s and 70s are wonderful! We’re certainly hoping to bring back some of the features best portrayed in those years.
Feel free to send us an email if you have any questions or suggestions: yearbook.union@gmail.com.
And I have recently posted a Union College student blog detailing some additional information on the yearbook: http://unioncollegelife.blogspot.com/2011/05/garnet.html.
Any comments are much appreciated!
The Yearbook has changed names from The Garnet to THE UNION BOOK (an ode to our favorite past Union College yearbooks).
Check us out at our new website: unionyearbook.com
Our new email: yearbook@garnet.union.edu