The Senior Class Giving Committee is short of its 2009 class goal of attaining 50 percent senior class participation in terms of monetary donations.
Karen Paulson, the committee’s vice chair of marketing, said that the organization fears that the state of the economy is causing several seniors to pass on donations that would increase the totals for more than 65 funds to benefit UCLA, including student scholarships and educational research. Paulson added that the committee thinks prospective donating seniors are unaware of the donating efforts.
As of Friday, 9 percent of the senior class had donated, according to the committee’s Web site.
The senior class of 2008 set a committee record by donating more than $60,000 and through 40 percent class participation.
Beren Shah, a fourth-year biology student and a non-donating senior, echoed similar sentiment.
“I did not really know about it until now, and I do not have the money to spare,” Shah said.
To publicize the gift-giving campaign, the committee has organized various events to get the word out and encourage students to donate money, said Jayme Farrell-Ranker, chair of the Senior Class Giving Committee.
The committee’s call center is continuing its efforts in calling every senior asking for a donation, Farrell-Ranker said.
The committee is also hosting events for the senior class in hopes of boosting the current participation percentage. For instance, it recently hosted Senior Fest in January, providing free In-N-Out burgers, chips and drinks, Paulson said.
Rikin Tank, a fourth-year international development studies student, said this event encouraged him to give back.
“I donated because I feel like giving back after taking advantage of the four years UCLA has given me, not to mention perks like free In-N-Out Burger and events like Senior Reception and Senior Sendoff,” Tank said.
Other events throughout this quarter and the next are being hosted by the committee as well.
On the last Wednesday of every month, the Senior Class Giving Committee hosts Senior Discount Night.
Every senior who has donated a total of $9 or more receives a discount card that can be used in various locations throughout Westwood, according to the committee’s official Web site.
The committee is implementing other tactics as well to boost participation.
Paulson said committee members recently conducted “row walks” in which they went to UCLA-affiliated sororities and fraternities, informing members about donation efforts.
Paulson added that increased participation from seniors in terms of donating should occur next quarter when the Senior Class Giving Committee begins hosting several senior events, such as Senior Week and Senior Sendoff in May.