UW’s oldest continuous independent living unit celebrates it’s 75 anniversary this year, and I’d say that Babcock House is doing pretty well for its age.

The House is nearly fully occupied. This year, we made the conscious decision to leave a space or two open, rather than fill a spot with graduate students, who are generally counterproductive to House morale. With 3 true freshmen and 11 sophomores, we are continuing our trend toward a more stable House. These students are our future, and will have several more years to hone their leadership skills as a part of Babcock House.

The House remains in very good physical shape, thanks to the ongoing repairs and maintenance efforts throughout the House. We do, however have some significant items that will need to be addressed in the very near future. The hood vent over the range in the kitchen is relic that is no longer functional enough or safe enough to remain. Whether this item is replace independently or as a part of a more complex kitchen renovation, we need to take action now and have it replaced during Christmas break for the good of the House.

Babcock House remains financially solid, as well thanks to the guidance of Alumni Board Treasurer Dan Wepner and Steward Craig Kohn. We are in a good cash flow situation and are continuing to build a savings for future House improvements. Our biggest question now is whether we bite the bullet on a $15,000 range hood vent out of our savings or whether we delay the project in hopes of finding financial assistance or grants that may help cover some of the costs.

Even as we look to this future project, we reflect on the near-success of "75 for 75" campaign. Currently, we have raised over $50,000 towards our $75,000 goal to retire our remodeling debt. We will continue this campaign through the April 14^th Alumni Banquet. I proudly look forward to being able to announce at that event that the goal has been met, and the debt retired. In order to meet that goal, I need all of your help. Please give what you can and together, we can get it done!

I look forward to seeing all of you at the April banquet in Waunakee!

Respectfully Submitted,

John Rozum

2006 Babcock House Alumni President