Student Giving Committee aims fundraising efforts at undergrads, hopes to increase donations at Thank UCLA Day
By Andrea Barreto
May 18, 2011 12:38 a.m.
In a time of growing budget cuts and tuition costs, the Student Giving Committee aims to tap into a smaller group of potential donors: current students.
The Student Giving Committee, as the student branch of the UCLA Fund, reaches out to current undergraduates for donations through Facebook, emails and individual phone calls. At today’s annual Thank UCLA Day, the committee hopes to add to the $30,826 it has received this year.
Katrina Oh, chair of donor relations and a fourth-year global studies student, said she understands students’ financial situations, but said the amount donated is not what is important.
“Although we’d be happier to get a larger sum, we just want to know that the student cares enough about the school … to give back,” said Oh, a former Daily Bruin Opinion columnist.
But as current students are well aware, donating money is not always possible. First-year business economics student Melvin Emesibe said he believes most students already use whatever income they have to pay tuition.
“I don’t have much more to give,” he said.
Despite the often limited funds of its target audience, the Student Giving Committee continues to reach out to students for help.
Oh said the committee’s goal is to inform students about the structure of school funding so they can understand how important their donations are.
“A lot of people think that student fees account for much more than they do,” she said. “The majority (of funding) is made up of donations. Students don’t realize how much more we’re (starting) to resemble a private institution.”
Jessica Salamanca, a third-year political science student, donated $100 after receiving a phone call from the committee. She said being able to specify what area of the school she could donate her money to convinced her to contribute.
“I feel if it’s money towards the general school, I won’t be able to see (where it goes). If I can put it towards a department and I’ll be able to use it, then it will be more rewarding,” Salamanca said.
Though he did not donate, Emesibe said he believes it is fair to approach students for donations.
“We ask the school for a lot,” he said. “It’s only fair to reciprocate.”
Third-year architecture student Patrick Rammelkamp said he does not believe current students have a responsibility to donate. He said UCLA should instead ask alumni, who likely have a steady income.
“It’s not my job as of now to commit myself to help the school financially,” Rammelkamp said.
