Do you donate to your alma mater?

[SharonH, RN]

My graduate school is having some sort of fund-raising drive but so far I've resisted donating because I feel I already paid a hefty amount as I was an out-of-state student. However I am considering making a donation to my undergrad school this year. It'll probably be the last one for awhile because my kid will be going to college next year.

[DCtraumarn]

I do on a regular basis - but I have a serious attachment to the University - three degrees later and was on faculty and worked at the University Hospital.

[Sheeco]

My graduate school is having some sort of fund-raising drive but so far I've resisted donating because I feel I already paid a hefty amount as I was an out-of-state student. However I am considering making a donation to my undergrad school this year. It'll probably be the last one for awhile because my kid will be going to college next year.

I have 2 degrees but never give to my alma mater because my school was private and they did everything and anything just to charge you. I also worked for them and realized how wasteful they were with peoples money. When I mentioned this to them they were very unhappy with me so once I graduated I stopped working for them but would like to attend the school again for nursing because its close to my house but again I will be in even more debt than they already left me. It's up to you. :)

[DCtraumarn]

I went to a wonderful Big Ten school :) and will always have a long term relationship with the University - May I say Go Badgers!!!

[Moogie]

I don't because I am a full-time graduate student with more bills than money. But when I get done with this educational journey, I plan to donate something to each school from which I have graduated.

The weird thing is, my husband donates each year to his alma mater. But this year, the receipt was addressed to me and I never attended the school! I guess I got on their mailing list because he and I went to an alumni event in our area.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Never. They already bled me dry with tuition, activity fees, parking fees, library fees, materials fees, books, etc. How often do you see a college or university go bankrupt? I attended 3, all were quite financially sound, but chincy when it came to paying salaries or maintaining buildings. Then they have the nerve to ensconce the senior hierarchy in a palace. When they start worrying about the students I'll start worrying about them.

[caliotter3]

No I do not. It would be a different matter if my degrees were worthwhile in my professional employment and I therefore had the money to donate.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Nope, I paid for their services. We're done with the money.

I do have a bit more of an attachment to my first degree though... DCtraumarn, like you --

I will say GO ILLINI!!!!

[MissChloe]

As someone who has worked in various behind the scenes offices working with financial gifts to my undergrad college, I think some of you need a reality check. The reason that colleges aren't going bankrupt is because many, many people make donations. It costs a DARN lot to run a college and without donations, they WOULD be bankrupt. I'm not saying that you need to donate if you don't want, but do realize that your tuition money does not go towards new buildings/facilities, or many other things that you think are lacking. Tuition goes towards paying the professors and support staff to teach YOU. That is why you pay to go there. Facilities, advertisement, etc., are all funded by donors.

It is a wee bit more complicated than that, but tuition does NOT pay to run a school.

Edited to add: Moogie, that is not surprising. At my institution, we keep track of spouse, children, business/home addresses, phones, emails, job titles and employers, and many, many, many, many other things that would surprise the average person.

[grandmawrinkle]

You know, if I had exclusively good experiences (or even neutral experiences), I might donate, and actually remain involved with the school as I still live in the area. Unfortunately that has not been the case.

[sjt9721, BSN, RN]

Yes, I donate a modest amount to both my undergraduate and graduate alma maters. (The amounts have varied slightly depending on my financial status, student loan payoff, attending graduate school, etc.).

I'm able to designate my gifts to a specific nursing scholarship at each school. The way I see it...someone before helped me by donating, and now it's my turn to help someone else.

[Fribblet]

I loved my first undergraduate degree, and I loved the school I got it from. It's a small, private, liberal arts school that isn't as subsidized as the state schools. I donate what I can when I can to them.

As for the university where I got my BSN, screw them.