Generosity Week highlights the impact of philanthropy

Students in OU's Student Philanthropy Committee are drawing attention to the impact that donors have at OU.

All this week, Oakland University’s Student Philanthropy Committee (SPC) is raising awareness for the impact that donors make at OU. Dubbed “Generosity Week,” students are highlighting the effect of philanthropy via social media and around campus.

Not only does philanthropy provide scholarships and opportunities for growth, it is an essential piece of the university’s funding model.

“Tuition covers about 81 percent of the cost to educate a full-time student,” said Adrianne Penney, assistant director of Annual Giving and adviser to the SPC. In mid-February, that coverage ends and other resources take over, some of it donor-funded resources, some of it state funding.

Spreading the word about generosity

“It’s important to really understand the importance of philanthropy on campus and to thank our donors and to one day be a donor,” said Daskyra Hood, junior and event coordinator for the SPC.

As part of a larger effort to build a culture of philanthropy, the SPC’s Generosity Week campaign has many facets:

• Large “I was donated” tags have been placed on some donated resources such as benches, buildings and statues with information about where each item came from and who donated it.
• Students in the SPC are tabling in the Oakland Center every day this week during lunch hours where students can stop by and write a thank you note to a donor pick up an “I <3 OU donors” button.
• A donated building of the day is being featured on social media.
• Faculty and staff who gave back during the All-University Fund Drive are wearing pins to identify themselves as contributors.
• Luncheon on Friday for recipients of named scholarships

Hood said that she can already see a difference that these ongoing efforts are making. In particular, she said donors really enjoy receiving hand-written thank you notes from current students.

A chance for tradition

As spring graduation approaches, the 2015 Senior Class Gift will be the next campaign to not only raise awareness about philanthropy, but to provide scholarship support for 2016 seniors experiencing financial hardship.

Seniors who donate $20.15 or more before April 4 will have the opportunity to go up into the Elliott Tower.

“When they built the Elliott Tower, the Elliotts wanted it to be part of campus tradition and part of the memories people were making on campus, and this climb is a really special way to honor that – to make this tradition that seniors can experience.”

Only those who graduate in May or June 2015 will have the chance to climb the tower stairs, but any student can donate to the class fund or volunteer with the Student Philanthropy Committee.

To stay updated and participate in Generosity week, like the Student Philanthropy Committee on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Click here for a list of buildings and structures that were donated and here for the locations of donated benches and trees.