Senior Appreciation Program to encourage unity, future giving

In an effort to increase Class of 2003 unity and strengthen graduating seniors' ties to the University, the Senior Fund Committee will host the first event of its Senior Appreciation Program tonight. The reception will address various options for the Class of 2003's gift to the school and will inform seniors about the Senior Appreciation Program.

Thursday's cocktail reception, which will take place at Davis Square pub and restaurant The Burren, will offer seniors free food and beverages and the opportunity to mingle with University President Larry Bacow. The Committee has held similar events in the past, including a wine and cheese reception and other events at The Burren.

The Appreciation Program is a revamped attempt to increase class unity and ultimately encourages future alumni giving to the University, Senior Fund Committee Co-Chair Alison Clarke said. Thursday's reception "is designed to be a fun event for Tufts seniors," she said, "both to gather together as a group and have fun as a class, and to make people think about giving back to Tufts, which has done so much for all of us."

The annual senior gift is the primary focus of the Senior Fund Committee, a group of seniors representing various campus organizations and athletic groups brought together each year to raise funds to donate to the University. The group is also responsible for overseeing the Appreciation Program.

The Senior Fund, Clarke said, is a gesture of gratitude for four years of education. The money gathered through the Senior Fund is added to the general Tufts Fund and used for various University purposes "such as financial aid or books in the library, et cetera," Clarke said.

The donation to the Tufts Fund provides for a variety of activities and events, according to Joan Puglia, Manager of Program Support for the Arts and Sciences and Student Services. The gift "to the Tufts Fund is used to assist students in a number of ways: guest speakers, special programming, better resources," said Puglia. "Many fun activities are planned to get the class involved in this endeavor."

Last year, the Class of 2002 broke records when 51 percent of the class donated, amounting to $26,000.

Seniors' responses to the invitation show that the event is likely to be successful in uniting the class.

"Free food and chance to chill with other seniors. It's nice to see Tufts doing things for us off-campus," senior Lorraine Sense said. Thursday's events "will give seniors a sense of solidarity and fond memories when they graduate. It will make them satisfied, supportive alumni."

Recently graduated alumni are commonly believed to be the largest and least giving category of potential Tufts donors. The Appreciation Program's focus on the Senior Fund, Clark said, is an effort to change that pattern. Publicity for the Fund, she said, "show[s] seniors how important it is to give back to Tufts after graduation."

Without alumni donations "we would not have had the resources that exist today at Tufts, and... future generations of Jumbos will not enjoy the same quality of experience that our class has," Clarke said.

Donations to the senior fund are solicited at events like the one on Thursday, at tables in the campus center, and through advertisements and personal solicitations. "Every senior is encouraged to give to the Fund, even if it is a small amount," Clarke said.

It has not yet been determined who will talk about the senior gift Thursday night, Clarke said.