Starting Friday, seniors will have the opportunity to vote online for one of three choices for a class gift, continuing the annual tradition at Iowa State.

“It’s very important that seniors vote for this gift, because it’s their chance to leave a legacy and lasting impression on Iowa State. It’s crucial so they can come back and see something tangible on campus,” said John Tillo, senior in political science and co-chairman of Senior Class Council’s class gift committee.

According to the Student Alumni Leadership Council’s Web site, there are three options seniors can vote for. The first gift option, “Cyclone rips through campus,” pays tribute to the tornado that touched down in the fall of 2005. This “cyclone” destroyed many historically significant trees as it traveled through campus.

The recovered wood from these trees has been preserved, and will be used to create benches, podiums, tables and other items. In addition, trees will be planted on campus to replace the damaged trees.

The second gift option is renovation of the Carrie Lane Court Patio, located in Richardson Court between Lyon, Birch-Welch-Roberts, Barton and Freeman residence halls. According to the Web site, this formerly popular meeting area has become “run-down and unusable” after years of traffic. Landscaping and new furniture for the patio are included in this potential gift.

The third gift option is also a renovation project, involving the West Lounge of the Memorial Union. The area, located south of the revolving doors on the first floor, has suffered some wear and tear over the years. Plans included in this gift are new carpet, fixtures and paint along with the addition of more comfortable furniture.

Plaques will accompany the chosen gift, explaining its significance.

Co-chairwoman Mandi Taylor, senior in accounting, said the completion dates for each gift will be different, some sooner than others.

“For example, the tornado gift will be a much shorter process than the Carrie Lane Court gift,” she said.

Taylor said the committee has a price range in mind for each gift.

“Our target range for each gift is around $25,000,” Taylor said. “It’s a donation project for all 2006 graduates, whether they graduate in May, August or December.”

Taylor and Tillo said the cost of these gifts would not be directly billed to students.

“We will be fundraising through December of this year, with the project beginning in January,” Taylor said.

“[Donations] are not required and the vote is completely separate. It’s just to get an idea about what the general student population wants to give.”

Voting for the gifts will be included on the Government of the Student Body election ballot at Vote.iastate.edu. Voting begins Friday and continues through Monday.

Tillo said results for the senior class gift will be announced Tuesday in a GSB press release, along with a mass e-mail to seniors.