Yesterday’s “Tuition Free Day” marked the approximate date when student money stops covering the cost of tuition and alumni donations take over.
Handing out T–shirts and food is always welcomed, but the idea of donating––before we’ve even become alumni––is upsetting.
Most of us are truly not in a position to donate money; our student loans are already looming on the horizon (and “horizon” generally means grad school and/or unemployment).
Perhaps allowing us a few years before asking for donations would be less appalling. Give us some time to get on our feet and assess our Allegheny education before asking us for additional funds.
Even our parents have started getting letters from the college asking if they’d like to donate.
Seriously?
We understand the importance of donations and what a difficult job the Senior Class Gift Committee has. We respect them for taking on that challenge. This certainly isn’t the first time they’ve received complaints, we’re sure.
Starting early is a tactic that is used by universities nation–wide, and the money given by alumni provides us with scholarships, updated buildings and technology, library books, and special projects.
All we’re saying is that asking this early in our respective career paths seems almost offensive.
We want to emphasize that we are extremely grateful to alumni who choose to donate to their alma mater. The outstanding equipment in the Vukovich Center is a testament to how much alumni endowments can do to directly improve Allegheny students’ educational experiences.
We truly appreciate alumni who take the time to visit this campus as speakers, performers, audience members, and those who provide business connections and advice.
Hearing from alumni on The Campus’s website is always a pleasure, and we value their thoughts and opinions.
Alumni donations are vital to Allegheny College. We appreciate everything that has been given to us.
But could we have some time to establish ourselves as financially–stable alumni before we’re asked to give back financially?
Wyatt • Mar 12, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Allegheny taught me a lot, but, mostly, it empowered me to learn through experiences. (There is a point coming, but give it time. AC taught me the beauty of elongated speech) I was able to be the Campus Director for Allegheny for Obama. And I know that our organization annoyed a lot of people, but if you ever asked anyone if voting was important I think (usually) the answer was a resounding ‘yes’. There were a few reasons it was important that we had so many events telling people that they needed to vote.
1) Because it was for a good cause (regardless of your annoyance)
2) Studies show that if you get youth voting early then they will keep voting for the rest of their lives
3) Participation is important and the only way to affect change
This is why the editorial above has such strained language. Trying to walk the divide of “thank you, Donating Alums” and “don’t make me one of those Donating Alums yet” is a tough sell. The point is now apparent. Getting youth voting is the same problem we have as getting young alums donating.
We need to get them early! Wait five years until we’ve established ourselves? Is everyone else aware of some arbitrary deadline that I have on my life to establish myself? I give because it is important not because I am rich. If we do that then it will make a powerful difference in the future of our school. Not only that, but it’s the best way for alums to stay relevant. Participation is important (even more so then hard dollar figures), so give $5 when you can. I, along with Grant, am doing AmeriCorps right now, but am finding the room to make a small sacrifice. It’s worth it because it goes to a good cause. I am investing that money, I am not just giving it away. The money goes to make Allegheny better, which makes my degree better. And therefore makes me better (or at least look better). So, it’s not entirely selfless.
I know that Get Out the Vote rally’s are annoying, but it is time well invested. Participation is important.
I know that being hit up early on for alumni giving is annoying, but it is money well invested. Participation is important.
Allison • Mar 11, 2010 at 11:48 pm
I think the Editorial makes a valid point. While yes, Allegheny has given us an education, it is one we have paid for and pursued of our own volition. Considering how much we spend on meal plans, tuition, books, etc. it’s a lot to expect students to give any money we’ve managed to save to the institution we’re already giving most of our money to. The Editorial isn’t saying alums should never give back or that giving back is ridiculous, it is simply stating that asking students who haven’t graduated yet or secured jobs post-grad is a little insensitive. Both students and their families are already scrambling to find the cash to come here. It makes a lot more sense to ask alums who graduated five or ten years ago for donations because they have had a chance to establish themselves.
Jimmy Beyer • Mar 11, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I’m afraid this article greatly misses the point of Tuition Free Day and the entire concept of alumni giving, for that matter. I understand that it’s kind of the running joke that, “oh, Allegheny is asking us for money and we haven’t even graduated,” but that’s all it should be – a light-hearted joke. Current students and alumni should actually take this situation seriously, because it concerns the future of our school. To be offended by a solicitation to give back to a school that gave you so much is, in my opinion, a completely unjustified response. There is no requirement to give, and from the college’s perspective, the only way to get people to give is to ask them to do so! I’m an ’09 grad, in law school, with an uncanny amount of debt, and I’m giving what I can, which is admittedly a small amount. I know that most Allegheny grads go on to grad school or get jobs w/ salary between 30 and 45K, so, like Grant says, it’s a sacrifice, if you choose to donate at all. It can be as easy as checking the box to donate part of your deposit, instead of blowing that money downtown on the weekends. Perhaps this sentiment is a result of graduating from, being grateful to, and deeply missing Allegheny. But the cynicism isn’t needed, and, according to the reasons you’ve stated, it really isn’t justified.
Ron Deems • Mar 11, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I think you missed the point of what the Sr. Class Gift Committee was trying to accomplish. Christina and Grant couldn’t have put it better in the posts above . . so I won’t try to.
Grant Rozich • Mar 11, 2010 at 4:18 pm
As an alumnus of Allegheny I understand the importance of giving, as an AmeriCorps member I understand the difficulties of giving soon after graduation. Nevertheless I try to give back in whatever way I can to an institution to which I owe a great deal. Even giving a little makes a difference and the suggestion that it does not, does not “seems almost offensive” but is offensive; not only to me but the many young alumni who are willing make a sacrifice and yes it is a sacrifice to some of us. Giving a little can mean a lot for both parties involved…
Christina Sutphen • Mar 11, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I as a recent alumni of Allegheny College understand that we feel as though we have given ‘enough” to the college. I understand you’re point, but even giving a little bit of money adds up. If 10 people gave just 20 dollars 200 dollars. Those are the types of donations that happen the most and give the college the most funding. Giving doesn’t have to be a huge gift, it is supposed to be what you can and are willing to give. I myself have given to the college. I am a graduate student who doesn’t make a lot of money, but I know that those few dollars will make a difference. You don’t even have to give up a whole weekends worth of funds, it is just important to participate. This participation shows to other comparable schools that we care about the future of our school and student. It is not supposed to be insulting, it is supposed to give you a feeling of helping Allegheny, and involved in the Allegheny community.
Jessica McGrady • Mar 11, 2010 at 12:29 pm
I agree completely. I was shocked when my parents told me that they had already received prompts for donations. Honestly, I don’ t think it is financially reasonable to expect us (or our parents for that matter who, after all, are often the ones footing at least some portion of the tuition bill) to donate to Allegheny for at least 2-5 years after graduation. Even then it would be a stretch.
Ben • Mar 11, 2010 at 10:44 am
I remember being asked the same thing from my institution. I think that it is important to get students involved early, but their our other ways to support the school besides giving monetarily. I think they should set up ways to contribute time in lieu money and be recognized for it. Check out GoodAlum.com if you want to support your school without having to pull from your own pocket.