By
Molly Rosbach
April 15, 2008
For this year’s senior class gift, the senior class gift council sought to do something that would both help students and benefit the University. The council decided on the Endowment for Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship.
“What a lot of seniors do — and what we’re encouraging seniors to do — is donate the amount that corresponds to the year they graduate, so they can give $20.08,” said Tara Miller, co-chair of the gift council.
The council isn’t expecting a lot of the donations to come in until seniors start signing up for Commencement. There will be a link on the Commencement Web site when seniors go to buy their caps and gowns that will allow them to donate to the gift, and that’s probably when most people will do it, Miller said.
To help make the University more environmentally sustainable, the council will be partnering with the Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee and providing them with funding to continue the work they’re already doing.
“We imagine it would go toward projects like composting, recycling, green cleaning and reducing our carbon impact,” said Katie Harkins, the project manager of annual giving programs and faculty adviser to the gift council. “We want it to be used in ways that make the most sense for the money to be spent.”
As an endowment, the gift will have an annual payout.
“At first, that amount won’t be huge, but it’ll grow over time,” Harkins said.
The gift council, which comprises seniors nominated and chosen by various faculty, has been meeting together to discuss the senior class gift since mid-autumn. Their first task was to figure out what the gift should be.
Miller said the environmental endowment was chosen as the senior class gift because it’s a combination of everything students wanted to do.
“It’ll help the stats of the UW — it’ll become a greener school. The money can go to fixing physical needs on campus and make it a greener, more beautiful place,” she said.
The final goal, Price said, is not only to give back to the University but also to get students in the habit of giving back after they graduate.
“We’re hoping the class will be tied in to the values of the gift,” Harkins said.
Most of what remains to be done now is to raise money for the endowment. The council’s efforts involve a direct mailing campaign, which has already been sent out, and a direct calling campaign, which will be happening in the next few weeks. Several large events on campus, during which the council will personally encourage students to donate, are also planned. So far, they’ve received about $4,000 from a total of 108 gifts.
Price has high hopes for seniors getting on board with the idea.
“We’ve been doing things in academia for the past four years,” he said. “It’s nice to give something back to the University. Not only is it good for the environment, but it’s good for the school.”
[Reach reporter Molly Rosbach at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]
7 Comments
#1 Jeff
on April 14, 2008 at 11:56 p.m.(Issaquah, WA | Unverified Name)
What a waste of money! You want to know true green, read up on Patrick Moore; Co-founder and former member of Greenpeace. He's been in it for the environment. Not for what politicians and news media are trying to cram down our throats.
#2 Anti-Jeff
on April 16, 2008 at 10:26 a.m.(Eugene, OR | Unverified Name)
@Jeff
So donating money to help the environment is somehow a waste of money? It's not even specified what it'll be used for, how the heck can you call it a waste?
It's a good gift - I'll be donating.
#3 Katie
on April 16, 2008 at 10:31 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
In my opinion, "true green" is every person doing what they can to make a difference, from Patrick Moore to each and every student on the UW campus. I can assure you that the students who came up with this idea (to provide a permananent source of funding for sutainability issues and raising awareness about what you can do to make a difference) had no political agenda, nor were they influenced by the news media more than any average American citizen is. This is simply their way of giving back to a place that has given them so much and showing that they want to ensure that our campus community--and our world--is a greener place and to preserve the beauty of our Pacific NW home for future Husky students. It's kind of ironic that it's thought of as a waste of money, since one of the primary goals for using the money is to reduce waste on campus through composting, recycling, green power and maximizing our resources.
#4 Arms
on April 17, 2008 at 4:40 p.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Jeff,
Kill yourself
#5 Den
on April 30, 2008 at 5:34 a.m.(Seattle, WA | Unverified Name)
Alright... look at the report above... where are the actual numbers? How much of the money we donated will truely support a greener campus and how much will be used to "subsidize" accountants?
Where is the website that I can look up details? I couldn't even find a site explaining where my money will go by searching "senior class" or "Class 2008 gift" on the UW homepage search bar.
I got the donation letter, read it and tossed it. I forgot the numbers, but I felt that I would be better off investing on my own and donating to the U later.
Then I got a phone call, asking me to donate $55. I rejected, telling the caller to give me some hard data to convence me to give. He couldn't. He just restated whatever green recycle plans he has. Then he asked for $25. I restated my doubt on the gift. He hanged up on me.
If I can see the true effect, I don't mind donating $100 or even $200. But so far, the senior class gift council cannot convence me that they can take good care of my donation.
And that's the reason why I don't donate. I will only donate to my own department.
And please, don't just summarize every thing in two words: "Kill Yourself" or "good gift" or "true green". That's what a kindergarten kid does, not a college graduate. A husky should reason with facts.
#6 Alex Brink
on April 30, 2008 at 9:55 a.m.(Pullman, WA | Unverified Name)
Wow - Your Huskie is too big and bulky, over the top, and to say the least, cheap-looking. Who ever thought of this gift, really did not put too much thought into it. If this gift were given to me, I'd be slightly embarrassed for the person who gave it to me, and slightly insulted. True, a gift is, supposedly from the heart. Not a gift just to get the task over and done with. Take some pride people! Your Huskie looks like a big, mean lion-wolf that's ready to eat you at any moment. Who would want that as their mascot
-Alex Brink, Quarterback for WSU - Go Cougs!
#7 Tara
on May 6, 2008 at 2:43 p.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Den,
The endowment will continue to raise money each year through the interest it gains. Each year, that interest will be used towards a sustainable effort on campus chosen by a committee of people who are already working on making our campus a more green place. We do not have specifics on what these efforts will be, because 1) we do not know how much we will raise this year, and 2) each year will have a different focus for the money being spent.
I know this may not satisfy your need for numbers (and I understand, I like knowing everything about an organization before I donate my money), but I can assure you that the money will be going towards sustainable efforts. We will be writing very specific guidelines for the group, and if you have any input for these guidelines, I encourage you to contact me. I'd also be happy to answer any other questions you may have!
I appreciate your willingness to donate to your own department at the University of Washington, and encourage anyone who doesn't feel that the "senior gift" speaks to them to do so as well. Anything seniors give will leave a lasting impression that our class is generous, proud of our time here, and has a philanthropic spirit.
Thank you for your interest in the senior class gift!
Tara Miller, Senior Class Gift Co-Chair
tara08@u.washington.edu
(And to Alex:
The Husky statue was a gift the class of 2006 gave. They wanted to increase our school spirit. We like our mascot a bit scary, and Husky is spelled with a "Y", not an "IE". Thanks for your input.)
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