Choosing one gift to represent an entire graduating class can be a daunting task, so this year the Senior Class Gift Committee has decided to let the seniors make individualized donations to the department of their choosing, rather than having all seniors donating towards one large gift.
According to Sarah Reeves, a member of the senior gift committee, the decision to take this more individualized approach came after a five-hour meeting, where the idea was discussed and then voted on by the thirty person committee.
“We were looking for a way to make a more personalized donation, for students to be able to donate to whatever department impacted them most at the university,” Reeves said.
She feels it is important for seniors to realize that they can donate funds to wherever they choose.
“You could donate to the toilets in the bathrooms if you really wanted,” Reeves said.
According to senior Daniel Gerber, chair of the outreach committee, the goal is not only to allow seniors to choose where their money goes, but also to increase overall participation in the graduating class toward the senior gift.
“The goal is to stress the importance of giving back and being philanthropic,” he said. “This year more than ever we are trying to get the most seniors to participate, and are not really as concerned with the total dollar amount.”
He went on to say that he feels it is important that students realize that tuition does not come close to covering the costs needed to provide for their education.
“The university really relies on the support and donations from friends of the university and also donors. We hope the graduating class realizes that they are the friends, the donors, and the future of this university,” Gerber said.
In the hopes of further bolstering participation among graduating seniors, the Alumni Association has promised an gift of $5,000 if at least 40 percent of the Senior class gives a donation.
Nina Bonano, assistant chair at the Office of Annual Giving, said that to her understanding, the $5,000 would be spread evenly among all the university’s departments.
She also said she feels the response to this new and individualized method of giving has been quite positive.
“We just kicked off in February and we are currently at 8 percent total participation. Last year we only hit 18.9 percent so we are almost halfway to last year’s total,” Bonano said.
In previous years, senior class members have been able to vote for what the final gift to the university would be. Past gifts include solar panels, a carbon footprint inventory of the campus and a recycling fund for the purchase of single-stream recycling bins.
When asked if the country’s economic troubles would have a significant impact on the total amount donated, Bonano said she does not think the impact will be too significant, and that by focusing on participation rather than total amount donated, the effect is minimal.
Gerber agreed with this reasoning.
“I personally don’t think it will really have an impact. The amount were asking for is $20.10. We’re asking for a small donation to give back to the institution that has helped us grow for the last four years.”
Reeves feels the condition of the economy is of little consequence especially because the goal is high participation, not necessarily large donations.
“Studies have shown that those who donate now are more likely to be active alumni in the future,” she said.
Reeves, Gerber and the rest of the committee are hoping that their ambition will be matched by the graduating class.
“We want President Harker to be able to say during Commencement that the class of 2010 is the highest donating in school history,” she said.
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