It is important students know the Gumbo fee has been re-purposed to cover the Gumbo DVD. The hardbound book is no longer covered by the fee, and it now costs $50.
The Gumbo DVD is not an option. It will be distributed before finals. Many students have expressed they do not want a DVD, but everyone will receive one. We hope you will enjoy the sights of campus life, sports and more.
There are two payment options for purchasing the book: First, go to www.lsugumbo.com, fill out the form and submit it. We will then put the charge to your fee bill, which will appear after April 30 to avoid scheduling conflicts. The second option is to print out the form, fill it out, attach a check made payable to LSU Gumbo and send it to B39 Hodges Hall.
Another important change is that we are depending on everyone to buy the book. This is a University effort to keep this 110-year-old tradition of LSU alive. If 1,000 people do not order the book, the book will not be made at all because the publisher requires that we have a minimum amount of books ordered.
The book costs $50 making it self-sufficient; it costs about $40 to make the book and the rest of the money is for postage, shipping and handling. It has become economically unfeasible to only rely on the fee to pay for the Gumbo. So, if you want one, then encourage your friends to buy one, too. If your organization bought space, then we hope all of the members buy a Gumbo. Also, this new process now allows alumni/non-students to buy the book.
The order deadline is Friday, April 30. This is a strict deadline since we have to submit the order number to the publisher May 1. If you do not order a Gumbo by April 30, you will not receive one and there will be no way to buy one later.
The Gumbo is for you, your family, your friends and your future family and friends. It is for those “Remember when…” moments that will happen in the future. We understand that this new process may be frustrating. Even the staff has to pay for a book we are making, but we appreciate all of the support we have received.
On a more personal note, I’d like to thank everyone who has ever helped me. I have worked at the Gumbo for the past three years and I am currently serving my second (and last) year as editor. I have done my best for you, and I hope you enjoyed the 2009 Gumbo and will enjoy 2010!
Thank you and buy your Gumbo!
Sheila de GuzmanLSU Gumbo Editor
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