On Friday, members of the Boston University class of 2011 may have the opportunity to watch Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore take a plunge into the chilling spring waters of the Charles River, as a reward for garnering 2,011 contributors to this year’s senior class gift.
Elmore said he would fulfill his commitment to the class of 2011 on Friday morning following the annual senior class breakfast if the goal of 2,011 participants is reached.
“I was running my mouth,” Elmore said. “Some students took me up on it.”
The aim of Elmore’s promise is to encourage participation, not to drive up the amount of money raised for the senior class gift, the Dean said.
Manager of Student Philanthropy Programs Allison Rowe said that as of last weekend, the senior class is near 75 percent of the way to reaching their goal of 2,011 donors.
“As of this weekend we are at just about 1,500 donors,” Rowe said. “For the next couple of weeks everyone will really be cracking down so that we can hopefully make our goal.”
Rowe said volunteers will reach out to BU organizations who have yet to donate to the class gift in the coming weeks to ensure that the goal is reached.
“Class gift volunteers will be reaching out to those who haven’t yet donated via telephone, and the many student groups and BU departments invested in the campaign such as Student Union, Student Alumni Association and BU Telefund will all be making sure to personally reach out to those who haven’t yet participated,” Rowe said.
In addition to current seniors donating to the class gift, the BU Alumni Council has pledged a $100,000 donation if the number of donators reaches 2,011, said assistant vice president of BU annual giving Daniel Allenby.
“The Boston University Alumni Council is comprised of alumni volunteer leaders from BU’s various schools and colleges,” Allenby said.
Alumni participation in university functions like the senior class gift is crucial, Allenby said.
“Alumni participation rates are important because the influence college rankings and bond ratings,” Allenby said. “Many corporations and foundations also consider alumni participation rates when making funding decisions.”
Rowe said there will be added incentives for those who choose to donate in the next week.
“There will be many prizes given to Class Gift participants over the next week or so as well for an added incentive,” Rowe said. “People are invited to spin our prize wheel when they donate to win some really fun BU prizes, and donors will receive a class of 2011 t-shirt.”
Elmore said that donating to the senior class gift is something that BU seniors can be proud of.
“There a lot of people who graduate from the university who say ‘this was a good experience for me,’” Elmore said. “We’ve got to find some way to say to the world ‘hey we’ve got a really good experience here for most people, and the senior class gift is a great way to do that.”
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