Furious about my old college asking for money

[derxa]

I had a call from someone from my teacher training college asking for money. A very posh young lady called up asking for my experiences after training... asking for advice... blah blah blah. I gave my honest responses fool Eventually she asked for £20 per month for student support. I feel soiled tbh.

[Sgtmajormummy]

Every 5 years my parents (last known address) would receive an invitation to the Official Alumni Reunion at the May Ball. I did a Gap Year and knew very few people in my graduation year..

At the bottom there was a discreet "How much would you like to donate to the College?" slip to fill in.
I've never done either.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Alumnae = feminine plural, so if you are both women that is correct.

Alumni = either masculine plural or all-purpose plural* for a mixed sex group of graduates, so safest bet unless you're talking about a women's college which is still single sex.

*The Romans were not big on equal opps or political correctness in language.

[BadLad]

If I ever get phoned, I assume the laughing that will accompany my hanging up will put them off.

[Trills]

the admissions tutor ring and apologise for not interviewing her son

There's no indication in this story that money gets you a place.

The son has already been rejected by the (entirely independent) admissions people, so the development office (the money-getters) have nothing to lose and everything to gain by calling and saying "terribly sorry about that, please keep giving us money".

[Trills]

Of course they pay the current students. Did you think they did it for fun?

[CheckpointCharlie2]

I'd go with alumni derxa! And when I typed alumni my iPad gave me this picture! > 👨‍🎓

[traininthedistance]

hang on.... so they are PAYING Students to phone previous Students to ASK for money ?? you could not make this up ??

It's often something more like a negligible amount, but often a rent credit towards the cost of staying up in their rooms over the vacation, which allows students to stay in town and do some work in the library for their dissertations when they are not doing the telephone campaign, without paying vacation rent costs. And they might get a meal credit for the time they are working on the telephone campaign, which doesn't cost the college much as the kitchens have to be maintained all through the vacation anyway (staff costs, conference catering and so on).

[traininthedistance]

Elinor. That is reassuring to know but I wonder if it does impact in that they give the donating parent (big donors as opposed to £20pm) the courtesy of interviewing their DC when they wouldn't have on the basis of the UCAS form alone. Supposing DC is then quick-witted and charismatic and hits it off with the interviewer? I can see this is a possibility of someone getting a place when they wouldn't have had the opportunity otherwise. Alas all theory in my case anyway as me and DH can't afford to donate!

It's very unlikely that the interviewers in a particular subject would even know a parent of the applicant had donated anything at all. The Development side is normally run completely separately from the academic side, and not only would the information not normally cross over but academic interviewers would normally have little interest in it anyway. And to be honest given most academics, it would probably backfire (my college ended up turning down the child of a very famous TV alum and no-one even knew until afterwards as Development doesn't normally even communicate with the academic fellows).

Actually, it wasn't until another student was halfway through her final year that someone in college twigged that her Dad was a v v super-rich (and bitterly hated by the public) political personality! Then it was decided by the fellows that he should never be asked for money because most of the fellows disapproved of his (often genuinely pretty unpleasant and misogynist) politics, and thought that the college's name would be adversely affected and the student body thoroughly against any donation from him! The colleges are all publicly-accountable charities so are all pretty hot on conflicts of interest and even the slightest perception of impropriety these days.

[derxa]

Checkpoint We're fellow alumni or is it alumnae.

[ClaryBeanHorshAndMe]

Incredibly...

Oh well, it's not like I studied English (or in an English speaking country). So, not like I can blame them for my English...

[CheckpointCharlie2]

I had the exact same call Derxa a week or so ago, posh young lady and kept asking me the same questions for ages and then I got tired of it and said I had to go so she obviously didn't get to the money bit.

College beginning with H too!

[ClaryBeanHorshAndMe]

Well, why not? I do donate to the graduate institute where I got my masters (not in the UK...). I was lucky enough to have a father that generously supported me, but I know that the academic way I chose would have been difficult without that financial support. Plus, the university was uncredibly helpful when I had a bit of a personal emergency,

I know, it may seem annoying to you. But some people do end up donating something (although, I do appreciate that nobody has ever called me. I simply get invites to fundraisers etc...)

[Sansculottes]

If this is in a town beginning with C the whole place is at it. The calls infuriate me - don't waste my time and I haven't got spare money

[herethereandeverywhere]

My old Uni did this. I refused.

I remember being desperate and being refused any hardship help by them 20 years previous. I can't influence criteria for assistance so I won't give them my money.

[sassymuffin]

Only basic wage and as most students cant work during their degree it is a chance to earn a little money. Clearly the outlay is worth it to the college because of the amount they receive in donations. It is in no way made a secret at all. DD's friend who did this last year is fortunate to come from a wealthy family so donated her "wage" back to the college as did some of her other friends.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

I donate monthly to my old University but one condition is that they don't ring me.
I am happy to donate, I wouldn't be in the job I am without my degree.

[ElinorRigby]

UsernameMum - I'd say that elite universities are worried about the perception that they are elitist, and are therefore making some genuine efforts to widen access - while also trying to ensure that all students they admit will be able to cope with the academic pressure.

[clarabellski]

I'm actually employed by my alma mater so it amuses me all the more when they try to fleece me for donations. Should I just say 'take it off as salary sacrifice?'

[BonnyScotland]

hang on.... so they are PAYING Students to phone previous Students to ASK for money ?? you could not make this up ??

[GirlcalledJames]

I thought it was Homerton as I just got my annual call from Girton. Luckily I don't know anyone else with a Cambridge area code so I don't ever pick up. Don't know if that's an option for you.

[UsernameMum]

Elinor. That is reassuring to know but I wonder if it does impact in that they give the donating parent (big donors as opposed to £20pm) the courtesy of interviewing their DC when they wouldn't have on the basis of the UCAS form alone. Supposing DC is then quick-witted and charismatic and hits it off with the interviewer? I can see this is a possibility of someone getting a place when they wouldn't have had the opportunity otherwise. Alas all theory in my case anyway as me and DH can't afford to donate!

[MrsWifey]

I did this as a job one summer. Everyone we called had been sent a letter informing them we'd be calling and the opportunity to opt out. I had some really lovely chats to people about how the uni had changed and even got a one off 4 figure donation from someone. Anyone who said they didn't want any further calls were marked down as we weren't out to pester anyone. Everyone who donated got a personal handwritten thank you card from the caller. It was also useful for updating alumni records for people who had passed away or wanted to receive the alumni magazine.

[sassymuffin]

DD's college at Uni ring us this time every year. She is a second year and we are bloody skint with funding her degree so we don't answer the phone.
They recruit about 15 students during Easter holidays and pay them to make these calls for two weeks every year, it is a great way for the students to earn a bit of money and it benefits the college as they receive quite a substantial amount in donations every year. Last year they raised £454,500 and nearly half of people contacted donated.
DD has already said in a few years when she is working she will quite happily donate.

[ElinorRigby]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/2484747-Oxbridge-college-donations-impact-on-chance-of-child-getting-a-place