Even before the Class of 2005 graduates, they will have something in common with all Dartmouth alumni: the College will ask them for money. The Dartmouth College Fund has already created a display in Collis Cafe extolling the virtues of donating to the DCF and will begin soliciting money in May for the senior class gift.
Participation rates in the senior class gift have plummeted in the last couple years, falling from highs in the 60 percent range to 28 percent and 13 percent in the last two years, respectively. To combat this seeming indifference, the DCF has announced it will name a member of the Class of 2009 as a scholar of the Class of 2005 for each $1,000 donated. Should an organization donate $1,000 or more, a member of the Class of 2009 will be designated as scholar of that organization.
"We're trying to emphasize that without alumni giving there would be no Dartmouth as we know it. We're trying to give people a feeling of affiliation with their giving," said Kathryn Strayer-Benton '05, one of three DCF interns. "Next year at Homecoming we're thinking about setting up a meeting between '09s and '05s."
Nevertheless, Dartmouth seniors are often burdened by student loans and other financial obligations and are unwilling to start donating to the College.
"I have to pay off my student loans and get a job," Andrew Davison '05 said. "I'll donate money to get my kids in 30 years from now."
Other seniors said they are reluctant to give to the senior class gift because they feel their donations might have greater impact in other Dartmouth-related funds.
"I was planning on donating to my house instead. I would rather give money as a senior gift to my house than the College in general," said Christian Littlejohn '05, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. "I want to give it for a specific purpose."
The Dartmouth College Fund is aiming to convince 25 percent of this year's graduating class to donate to the fund. While they are suggesting a donation of $20, last year's contributions ranged from $1 to $1,000.
Nariah Broadus, a full-time employee of the fund, emphasized the importance of seniors giving some amount as a sign of support for their soon-to-be alma mater. Broadus pointed out that even small gifts can be significant when added up.
"Dartmouth is one of Ivies that has a senior class gift. Of the schools that have it, giving is directly correlated with the satisfaction rate of students," Broadus said.
"Since we have one of highest [rates], it's surprising we don't have the biggest senior class gift," Broadus said. "We're not trying to get people to drain their bank accounts but we just want them to participate to express their satisfaction."
Senior class gifts in the past have typically ranged from $5,000 to $6,000. Based on these figures, Broadus expects there to be roughly five members of the Class of 2009 sponsored by the Class of 2005.
Two-thirds of financial aid comes from alumni giving and over 50 percent of Dartmouth's students are on financial aid, according to DCF intern Kori Yee Litt '05. She stressed the importance of alumni giving in preserving the Dartmouth experience for future generations.
"Cut the alumni funding and you're denying a large percentage of the student body the money they need to attend this school," Litt said.
"If we want to see the Dartmouth students of the future have the same benefits we did, we need to donate. It's that simple."
