Ever wonder where the money for the 86% of students on scholarships comes from? In reality, tuition by itself accounts for little of the overall WC budget.
Instead, much of the school's operating costs are born by annual giving collected from alumni by the workers of the Phonathon.
Washington College's Alumni Office kicked off its Spring Phonathon Tuesday, February 13, and it will run through March 30. Many students, however, are unaware of the Phonathon.
The Phonathon is a student-run program headed by Sally Grafton, Assistant Director of Alumni Annual Giving. Students call WC alumni of all years and ask them to help support the Washington College Gift Fund.
Pat Trams, Director of Alumni Affairs, explained: "The Phonathon is designed to encourage alumni to participate in the annual giving campaign.
This is a fund which helps support many college programs and activities that are not funded by college tuition."Trams added, "Students don't know that tuition does not cover the full cost of college.
"It's like running a city. Alumni gifts cover such expenses from student scholarships, to maintenance, to faculty salaries, to lighting the lacrosse board."
Many people do not understand the great importance of the Phonathon and alumni donations. "Last year, Washington College collected $12,901,646 in tuition money and fees, while the cost of actually running the college is $26,629,089," said Trams. "This is more than double of what we collect in students' tuition."
Sally Grafton also explained that the Phonathon is not just simply calling alumni and asking for money, but it also bears several other important attributes.
"The Phonathon also serves as a service of updating addresses, so we can keep in touch with our alumni, getting personal information to put in the class notes section of the magazine," said Grafton. "For example, weddings, birth announcements, and other praise-worthy accomplishments."
The Phonathon also keeps alumni updated on Washington College events.
"The Phonathon is effective in getting alumni involved in social issues," said sophomore Daryl Nuusolia, a second semester Phonathon worker. "A lot of people do not read their mail, so when they're called, they have a chance to voice their opinion."
Nuusolia continued, "It gives us a chance to hear what the alumni have to say and things they suggest help improve things here at Washington College."
Engaging in interesting conversation with the alumni is another positive aspect of the Phonathon.
"Students get on the phones and engage in conversation with the alumni," said Grafton. "Sometimes they find that they have things in common with them and find out things that they didn't knew about the college."
Freshman Brian Desaulniers, also a second semester Phonathon worker, agreed: "I believe working at the Phonathon brings old and new Washington College students together. It's truly a rewarding experience."
Besides the business aspect of the Phonathon, Grafton noted that "alumni love hearing from the students. Some students, from sending 'thank you' notes for pledges, received Christmas cards and letters back from the alumni."
Laura Walter, a Sophomore Phonathon worker, has had some of these experiences with alumni. "I've had some really great conversations with alumni," said Walter. "One was an English major like me and he said to give him a call if I ever needed a job after college."
In addition to informing students of how Washington College handles its finances and providing them with enhanced people skills, it also had a positive social aspect for the students.
"It's a really fun place to work," said Walter. "All my co-workers and supervisors are really fun to work with. It's a casual, laid-back atmosphere."
When asked what she liked about the Phonathon, freshman Pam Boccuzzi replied, "Friends, good food, and fun."
The importance of the Phonathon and alumni annual giving cannot be stressed enough.
Alumni gifts go to pay for things that students take for granted. If there was no alumni giving, there would be no scholarships, student activities, nor professors, because they would not get paid.
"Our job for the annual fund is to get as many alumni to participate
as possible," said Trams. "Annual giving is a symbol of alumnus'
support of their college. The number of alumni who participate in annual
giving, whether they make a contribution large or small, is greatly valued."
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