2008 graduates offered chance to pay forward
John Ellis
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
SJSU is asking all graduating seniors to give $20.08 back to the university before leaving, but with all of the coursework, financial situations and job-hunting, some students know little about the program.
"I haven't put a lot of thought into it," said Scott Cubies, a senior history and communications major. "It's a good idea but bad timing. I put it in the back of the pile of things to do."
The 2008 Senior Gift is designed to provide graduating students the opportunity to help future students get the same college experience they had, said Carolyn Canete, the annual giving manager in the office of development and alumni relations.
"I won't be donating," said Ricardo Ramirez, a senior child development major. "I commute to school and with gas prices, and other expenses I can't afford it."
Canete said, "It's a way to say thank you for the knowledge, skills and opportunities SJSU has provided."
At a time when money may be cut from the California State University system, some seniors think it's a good idea to look out for future students.
"When money gets cut, it's up to us to help out other students," said Kate Stewart, a senior art major. "I'll try and donate, but I don't know when the deadline is."
One student said she was annoyed about the fact that while waiting for their graduation paperwork to go through she received the Senior Gift flier.
"It comes in a super nice envelope, and I thought it was my grad papers, but it wasn't," said Shelby Jones, a senior advertising major. "If it would have came after my grad paperwork I might have donated, but not now."
Part of the Senior Gift program is that students get to pick between three SJSU linked organizations to donate to. The one with the most votes gets all the money.
The organizations seniors choose from are: MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center Fund, which prepares students to be "advocates of diversity"; Metropolitan University Scholar's Experience (MUSE) Fund, which makes adjustment to university life easier for high school and transfer students; and the Student Emergency Fund, which helps out students involved in tragic events and crisis situations.
"I haven't had any help from other students," said Melissa Cole, a senior interior design major. "It sounds like they just want money."
Eloise Stiglitz, the associate vice president for Student Services, wrote in an e-mail that the Student Emergency Fund was the senior's choice last year and the program has helped a number of students who have been confronted with significant emergent, expenses.
While soon-to-be graduates, friends and family have until the April 4 to donate the minimum of $20.08, Canete said that more people are expected to give money this year than last year.
"We put up fliers all around campus," Canete said. "We're really advertising it this year."
Last year the Senior Gift program asked for $20.07, attracted 126 donors and $3,432 in donations. This is the second year of the program.
"I haven't put a lot of thought into it," said Scott Cubies, a senior history and communications major. "It's a good idea but bad timing. I put it in the back of the pile of things to do."
The 2008 Senior Gift is designed to provide graduating students the opportunity to help future students get the same college experience they had, said Carolyn Canete, the annual giving manager in the office of development and alumni relations.
"I won't be donating," said Ricardo Ramirez, a senior child development major. "I commute to school and with gas prices, and other expenses I can't afford it."
Canete said, "It's a way to say thank you for the knowledge, skills and opportunities SJSU has provided."
At a time when money may be cut from the California State University system, some seniors think it's a good idea to look out for future students.
"When money gets cut, it's up to us to help out other students," said Kate Stewart, a senior art major. "I'll try and donate, but I don't know when the deadline is."
One student said she was annoyed about the fact that while waiting for their graduation paperwork to go through she received the Senior Gift flier.
"It comes in a super nice envelope, and I thought it was my grad papers, but it wasn't," said Shelby Jones, a senior advertising major. "If it would have came after my grad paperwork I might have donated, but not now."
Part of the Senior Gift program is that students get to pick between three SJSU linked organizations to donate to. The one with the most votes gets all the money.
The organizations seniors choose from are: MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center Fund, which prepares students to be "advocates of diversity"; Metropolitan University Scholar's Experience (MUSE) Fund, which makes adjustment to university life easier for high school and transfer students; and the Student Emergency Fund, which helps out students involved in tragic events and crisis situations.
"I haven't had any help from other students," said Melissa Cole, a senior interior design major. "It sounds like they just want money."
Eloise Stiglitz, the associate vice president for Student Services, wrote in an e-mail that the Student Emergency Fund was the senior's choice last year and the program has helped a number of students who have been confronted with significant emergent, expenses.
While soon-to-be graduates, friends and family have until the April 4 to donate the minimum of $20.08, Canete said that more people are expected to give money this year than last year.
"We put up fliers all around campus," Canete said. "We're really advertising it this year."
Last year the Senior Gift program asked for $20.07, attracted 126 donors and $3,432 in donations. This is the second year of the program.
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