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Thursday, Oct. 31
The Indiana Daily Student

IU Foundation challenges seniors to donate money

each member of class of 2007 encouraged to give $20.07

The IU Foundation’s Senior Challenge is a campaign encouraging graduating seniors to give back to IU much sooner than they might have expected. It is asking the seniors to give to the school or major of their choice after graduation and be a part of making IU even better for its incoming students and their soon to be alma mater. \n“Our campaign is geared towards educating graduating seniors on philanthropy and giving back to IU,” said senior Andrea Burns, the Senior Challenge committee chairwoman.\nShe said that the IU Foundation wants to emphasize making a pledge now because if seniors give now, they will be more likely to give in the future. \n“A lot of people say they will never give back to IU because it took so much money away from them, but what they don’t realize is that almost half of their education costs are covered by alumni support,” Burns said. \nThis year seniors are being encouraged to recognize a professor, mentor or anyone who has made their IU experience great with their gift. The recipient recognized will receive a letter from Senior Challenge representatives and have his or her name displayed on the Senior Challenge Web site.\nStudents gave a mixed reaction about the challenge.\n“If I have enough money, I’d be more than happy to donate to the school that I graduated from” said Bryan Olson, a sophomore business major.\nBurns said that the Foundation sponsored an event at Macri’s Deli to try and get the word out about the Senior Challenge but didn’t get the turnout that it had anticipated. \n“Next year we are going to try to help sponsor events that will draw out a lot of people, such as sporting events and other student-involved activities,” Burns said. \nBut some are open to the idea of giving back once they establish themselves.\n“I would welcome the idea of donating once I start making some money; however, I don’t think that students will be very perceptive to a fourth-quarter donation. They most likely have more important things to worry about,” said Max Stewart, a senior marketing major.\nStewart said he will donate down the road. \n“It’s the least I owe them for a great education,” he said.\nBurns said the Senior Challenge is pushing for donations to IU that would be the equivalent of a senior gift. \n“I think it’s a good idea to put the money towards scholarships because scholarships make a big impact on bringing people to IU and help the future of a lot of students,” Stewart said.\nThe Foundation asks seniors to donate $20.07, which would represent their graduating year of 2007. \n“I think it’s do-able,” Olson said. “A lot of people spend more than that at the bar on \nthe weekends.”

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