An Open Blog Posting
A recent Michigan graduate is deeply offended by the university’s request for donations, which he deems “unethical” because “the departments are paying inflated wages to lecturers and graduate students.” Let’s hope this guy never joins a political party; imagine the fallout when he gets the first fundraising letter and finds out that political consultants are paid even more than graduate research assistants.
I’m completely shocked that the university is paying wages at all! All kidding aside, I don’t make donations to my alma mater. I already have. It’s called “tuition”. I also don’t give additional money to my car dealership after the fact, nor do I donate to my appliance store or to my real estate agent on an annual basis.
posted by JCP2 on September 19th, 2005 at 9:35 amA lot of the people in the LJ post seem to be complaining about not being able to be removed from the marketing list of their alma mater. My husband and I have had no problems getting removed from mailing and call lists from the schools we have received degrees from. I seriously doubt that if someone called the development group and said in no unclear terms, TAKE ME OFF YOUR LIST, that they would continue to call.
posted by Elizabeth on September 19th, 2005 at 11:10 amA lot of recent grads spew this sort of self-righteous nonsense because they weren’t handed a fantastic job upon graduation. Sorry that hasn’t worked out, Paul, but perhaps you could work on dropping that overwhelming sense of entitlement.
Not to say that you have to give. I graduated from three universities; I donate most to my undergrad, none to my master’s institution, and some specifically for my PhD program. They don’t necessarily need the money “the most” (good luck defining that) but they took in a poor kid, paid a good part if not all of his expenses, and gave him a chance at a better life. And for that I owe an obligation.
posted by Mike on September 19th, 2005 at 1:47 pmI feel the same way - I still owe my undergrad school money, but I donate at least a little bit every year because they made it possible for me to go there, and also because they have great research programs.
posted by ann arbor is overrated on September 19th, 2005 at 1:51 pmTo whom it may concern:
Please take me off your list. I am far too busy being too bitter and resentful to get a job and donate to the university that taught me how to write eloquent bitch letters.
Thank you,
posted by Danielle on September 19th, 2005 at 4:18 pmvictimized grad
While I don’t think it’s “unethical” to hit new grads up for money, I do think it may be more prudent for the U to wait at least a year or more before asking for money. I doubt this guy’s reaction is that uncommon. Even if you do get a job that makes lots of dough right out of school, you usually have expenses associated with entering the real world that make it hard to donate a lot.
posted by Anonymous on September 20th, 2005 at 6:26 pm1. how about the fact that guest lecturers, faculty, prospective faculty, etc eat very extravagant meals on the university dime? that shit adds up.
posted by guest on September 20th, 2005 at 11:56 pm2. why has there been no mention in this blog of the Pioneer high students charged with armed bank robbery last week? Big local story
More on the armed bank robbery, please. I know of a former CHS/Huron student who was busted for that earlier this year. Did they mention the person’s name?
posted by A Different Jon on September 23rd, 2005 at 9:36 amIts youngsters/current students Jon, not likely to be people we know. Unless it’s their kids. Anyway I’m pretty sure the names have not been officially released yet due to the minor status thing.
posted by stella on September 23rd, 2005 at 11:10 amIt’s been over 20 years since I graduated from college the first time. It was not UM, and I’m not bugged about donations. Which is just as well. I *work* at UM and don’t excatly have disposable income. You know, Mary Sue’s salary somehow went from the mid 300s to over 500K, but I get 3% raises at best. Go blue!
posted by Ferona on September 25th, 2005 at 10:24 pmRegarding JCP2’s comment: I sent in a $1.00 donation to the Alumni club just to get my alumni card so I can golf at the Blue Course on Stadium. Besides tuition, thats all they got from me so far.
posted by The Tool Man on November 15th, 2005 at 3:12 pmI read some of the posts and I think it is a great site. Are you encouraging my loud poetry I have a joke for you =) What farm animal is a cannibal? A Cow, it eats it’s fodder!
posted by EZWilliam on November 11th, 2008 at 5:11 am