This year’s Senior Class Giving Campaign encourages students from the Class of 2010 to donate money to the school or program at Syracuse University that means most to them.

The Class of 2009 reinstated the campaign last year, and a committee of 11 students from the Class of 2010 decided to continue the tradition this year. The first official e-mail surrounding the campaign was sent out to seniors on Feb. 8. Students can donate with cash, check or pay online with a credit card.

Donations from the Class of 2009 went to a scholarship fund, but the Class of 2010 wanted to switch things up, said Carlye Eder, co-chair of the campaign and a senior supply chain management and accounting major. Each student has a different experience at SU, and giving to the area they choose will be more meaningful and effective, she said.

‘I think it leaves more of an impact on the campus, and it also makes the giving experience more personal,’ said Mussadiq Akram, co-chair of the campaign, on why the committee wants students to donate to a program of their choice rather than with a central gift like a bench or fountain.

No official donation amount is requested, but members of the committee said they are suggesting donations of $20.10.

Class Alliance, a division of Student Association, took a survey last semester to see what type of gift students might like to see, said Abel Thomas, a senior bioengineering major. He said the results showed that some students felt they were already paying too much money to come to SU and did not feel they should have to pay more for a gift.

This showed the committee that simple participation in giving should be a main goal, he said. An official fundraising goal has not been set, Akram said, but 100 percent participation is the committee’s goal. Committee members are each expected to find 10 people to give and at least three others who can get 10 more to give, he said.

The official number of donations given so far has not yet been tallied or recorded. But Eder said she has seen a positive response from classmates and friends. Students have come up to her saying they received the e-mail and plan on giving, she said.

Since last year’s senior class was the first to give back to the university in 14 years, Akram said he hopes continuing this year will build the tradition for the future. Other colleges and universities give senior gifts every year, and it’s something SU can be a part of, too, he said.

The campaign mainly relies on electronic media for outreach, such as a Web site and e-mail blast, but word of mouth is also important, said Melissa Cassidy, director of leadership annual giving and an adviser to the committee.

‘A lot of times you’ll listen to a friend when they’re explaining something to you that they’re passionate about,’ she said.

The committee began filming a promotional video on Monday that will be online within the next few weeks, Akram said.

Students can give anytime between now and senior celebration on May 13. The names of the students who donate will be published online and printed in a section of the register of graduates.

Cassidy said she thinks letting students choose where they want their money to go is the best way to get them to participate.

‘Everybody has different passions and different things drive them when they’re on campus, so it’s great to give back to what’s important to them,’ she said.

kronayne@syr.edu

Published on February 15, 2010 at 12:00 pm