Babson College - Babsonian Yearbook (Wellesley, MA)

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Chamber of Comnierce From Left to right: Duncan Ross, Carl Meyer (chairman elect), Bob Charney, Bob Ritter, Jon Demerit, John Zimmer (treasurer), Jonathan Carson (chairman), Jon Dutton (vice president), Eric Rahn, Tom Godhart, Tom Morganstaren, Jon Wadness, Duncan Donahue, Glen Freidman. The 1978-79 year marked the begin- ning of a new organization on the cam- pus — the Babson Student Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is an organi- zation made up of Babson ' s Student Entrepreneurs to further the concept of student enterprise. As su ch the Chamber hosts speakers and sympo- siums on various topics that confront the Student Business Owner. Addition- ally the Chamber publishes an annual report that gives an overall view of Student Business in that year as well as a description of each existing business with the owner. Student Businesses grew by leaps and bounds in 1978-79. Gross sales jumped approximately 350% from $65,000 to $220,000. Student Business employed approximately 95 students either part time or full time. These are unquestionably impressive figures when one realizes that these students take full course loads like any other student. By the end of the Chamber and or members of the Chamber had been featured in Newsweek, Venture Magazine, Association Press Nation- wide, as well as other local media (ra- dio and newspaper). Commentary Student Business has been around Babson for twenty some odd years. Up ' till now they never were more than something to do, on a very small scale, on the side. With the coming of entrepreneurship to the Babson campus, the Babson Administration had better make some deci- sions on their student businesses. Student businesses at Babson are bigger, better, and more organized than ever before. Babson Student Businesses also brought more national and local media attention on Babson than any other department or organization has in a long time. Additionally, Student Businesses serve to back up Babson ' s claim to a commitment to entrepreneurship. Now isn ' t it a bit odd that given all of the above, the Administration of Babson College reserves the right to revoke a license with a minimal of questions asked. Just ask the ex-owners of campus student services how much compensation they received when their licenses were revoked due to a change in liquor laws. They received not a dime, yet they purchased the license for several thousand dollars. How encouraging to other business owners. How about credit applied as independent studies. No Sir, you may have a $50,000 a year business but Babson College feels you didn ' t learn as much as you do in general management, therefore no credit towards your degree. The final jist of the question is, are the Student Businesses for money or for learning? The answer is both and the Administration had better take a good look at our little entrepreneurs and try to encourage it before it dies a slow death of neglect. J. EC. 206