Even students who do not carry cash can still donate to charity, thanks to a new pilot program.
The plan will allow student groups starting next week to use an ID card swiper - like those found in the dining halls and the bookstore - when they fundraise. Students will now be able to use Points Plus to donate to charities.
Starting Monday, Nov. 14, one student group per day can use an ID card swiper while fundraising at the campus center.
"We thought it would increase campus philanthropy," junior Samantha Ferrell said.
Ferrell, along with classmates Matthew Plitch, Angi Kang and David Weber, devised the plan for their "Innovative Non-Profits" class. Since many students do not carry cash and rely on their Points Plus to make on-campus purchases, the plan will allow students who usually do not donate to charity to participate in philanthropy.
They said students who do carry cash will be more likely to donate money because they are often unwilling to part with their cash.
Sophomore Dania El Hassan said she supported the plan. "Students are more inclined to do it [donate] if they use points, because it seems like they're not using real money," she said.
Professor Molly Mead, who teaches the class, said the assignment was to find a solution to a social problem at Tufts. "This group immediately latched on to this issue," she said. "The team did fabulously, beyond my wildest expectations."
Weber said he expects to see three results from the project: an increase in the amount of money raised at the University, an increase in the number of students who participate in philanthropy, and growth of the University's reputation as a leader in the community.
Director of Dining and Business Services Patricia Klos said the plan was important to the University's reputation. "Tufts is known for its service orientation," she said. "It's my hope that this helps students continue in this vein of giving."
After formulating their plan, Ferrell and her classmates talked with the Tufts Community Union Senate, which will help train treasurers of student groups to use the system. "There was no issue of funding," Kang said.
The group also sought approval to use the campus center and talked to Dining Services, which is providing the ID card swiper.
Dining Services' role in the project is to facilitate the use of Points Plus for this new purpose. "Over time, the [Points Plus] program has grown," she said. "This to me is an outgrowth, another means to make a purchase if you will, a donation to charity."
Before moving ahead with the implementation of their plan, the students from the "Innovative Non-Profits" class conducted a survey of 60 people. They said 97 percent of respondents supported the plan. They are working with the Senate to include questions about the project in the Senate survey next month.
The group contacted recognized student groups on campus to get their opinions. All of the groups supported the plan, but the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) said that allowing students to use Points Plus to donate to charity means students are most likely donating their parents' money.
Weber responded to this argument. "Kids can go to the bookstore and buy candy bars and magazines," he said. "They might as well be able to give money to charity."
The students argued that the cash a lot of students carry is their parents' money also, but they agreed to compromise with LCS and limit donations made with Points Plus to $5 per day.
Sophomore Matt Higger said students should not be able to use Points Plus. "I feel bad spending other people's money," he said. "How am I supposed to know if my parents want to give money to some charity?"
Senator Ed Kalafarski, who was involved in the project that will combine laundry vending points with Points Plus at the start of next semester, said the Senate has considered the possibility of using Points to donate money in the past but never pursued it. "I think it's a phenomenal idea," he said.
