Do you know how much I give?!

[kirk2010]

Hey everyone!

I get that question once in a blue moon for folks who visit the campus. They get into whiny EW mode and demand we do this and that for them because they are an alumni who donates.

When they don't get what they want, they hit me with that question: "Do you know how much I give a year?!"

This poses a great ethical dilemma, but you will appreciate my view on the subject. The best rule of thumb is... if you have to ask, it's not enough.

There is a certain magical cut-off of annual giving amounts that I am not even privy to. However, if someone does give a substantial amount, I can guarantee that their name will be on my desk at least two weeks before their visit, and I will be outside in ass-kissing mode to accommodate them.

Wealthy Donors like to think they are rule exempt, and they go through the Alumni Association for EVERYTHING, even for the most minute details. So if a wealthy donor is on their way to visit, I get a head's up - I don't know how much they make or care, but if the Alumni Association gives me a name, I know they donate enough.

So for those of you who like to hold that over our head during campus visits... don't expect us to flinch.

[sixums]

It's awful. I have two friends that work in the Alumni Office for two different schools, and they get this sort of thing all the time. What's worse is that the only reason they seem to donate is because they want to look good. My university and the ones they work at have programs closing down because of debt, and most alumni simply yell at the people who ask about donations. When I graduate, I'm going to donate to my school, because while I may not like it sometimes, it's where I got my education. Stupid EWs.

[jedimaster91]

Someday when I make the big bucks (yeah right ), I'm donating straight to my program so that Awesome Instructor can get her GM meters calibrated. That way I know for sure how my donation is being spent. I don't trust the head honchos of the school itself.

[Andara Bledin]

They get into whiny EW mode and demand we do this and that for them because they are an alumni who donates.

[pedant] singular is alumnus [/pedant]

^-.-^

[slavetotheman]

[pedant] singular is alumnus [/pedant]

^-.-^

unless you're talking about a female, of course

[JustaCashier]

Heh, when they pull that "do you know how much I give?", it's too bad you can't get away with "do you know how much of a shit I don't give?"

Mike

[Kogarashi]

Hubby and I went to the same school for undergrad (heck, it's where we met), so all our donation money goes to the same school. We were in different departments, though, and since my department has done some rather dumb things, we make sure to donate to his department instead.

One of these eons, we'll be well-off enough to donate more, too. ::wistful look::

[Geek King]

unless you're talking about a female, of course

Or one of the ones who donate enough to actually have a say in how the university works. We used to call them The Aluminatti.

[kirk2010]

Bingo! Alumnatti! I don't want to know what the cut-off is that puts someone's name on my desk two weeks before their visit, but it must be substantial.

I give to my school, about as much as I can muster... it's not a lot, but it helps buy office supplies for my department. But I know that with the amount I give a year, I am not pretentious enough to demand the world revolves around me.

Oh and I definitely wish I could say what you suggested, Mike! But I smile to myself when they tell me that because I sure as hell don't have their name on my VIP list. No soup for you!

[Rapscallion]

unless you're talking about a female, of course

Aluminita?

Rapscallion

[Sliceanddice]

Aluminita?

Rapscallion

Alumina ^_^

[Primer]

unless you're talking about a female, of course

alumnette?

[Stryker One]

Someday when I make the big bucks (yeah right ), I'm donating straight to my program so that Awesome Instructor can get her GM meters calibrated. That way I know for sure how my donation is being spent. I don't trust the head honchos of the school itself.

GM meters? Are those anything like Cardinal Gram Meters?

On a separate note: Considering what 4+ years at a University costs, it's amazing that alumni give anything once they're done. Unless of course, it's tax deductible.

(For those that don't get the meter reference: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...abulator&hl=en )

[kirk2010]

Definitely tax deductible

Our Alumni Association spends a lot of time grifting for donations and donors. Sometimes people had such an amazing experience, they want to give back and help. We have two major corporate presidents who graduated from our institution, and they give generously because they recognize they might not be where they are today without this place.

[dalesys]

Alumina ^_^

Proud dad of a Westminster alumna, class of '04, Biology BS magna cum laude.

Or as I threaten to tell her students, she's the Alumnanator