During October, faculty and staff shared their thoughts about employee giving with The Meredith Fund office. From everyone’s candid responses, we learned how we could communicate better with employees about the goals of our office. The statements in bold are from Meredith employees, and below each statement is the response from The Meredith Fund office. We hope we have provided you with more information about campus giving.
 
1) “Tuition covers all the expenses at Meredith.”
 
Tuition covers 70% of the total costs for a student to attend Meredith. Private funding, such as The Meredith Fund, helps to cover the remaining portion.
 
2) “Meredith does not care about me as an employee anymore and shouldn’t ask me to make a gift.”
 
The economic challenges that Meredith has faced the last couple of years have directly impacted all employees on campus. Not everyone may be in a position to make a gift or feel that the College should ask employees for monetary gifts until situations change. The decision to give is very personal. To make the College as strong as possible, we see employee gifts as investments in Meredith. We continue to educate about The Meredith Fund because of the positive impact each employee gift has on our workplace. As we deal with the changes on campus, The Meredith Fund continues its efforts to fund a college community that is cherished by employees, alumnae, parents, and friends.
 
3) “I know buildings, academic programs, study abroad, etc. are expensive, and my small gift could never help fund anything.”
 
Because a gift of any size supports the mission of educating our students and sustaining Meredith for years to come, The Meredith Fund focuses on employee participation and not the dollar amount. As a donor, your gift is combined with other gifts to help fund the areas of need on campus. Your gift is also the inspiration for others to join in your commitment, and the College benefits from the strong message of support that accompanies your giving.
 
4) “The Meredith Fund supports operating budgets, but when the College raises more money, I don’t receive more in my operating budget.”
 
Each year, the goal for The Meredith Fund is listed as a line item in the College budget. The goal is determined based on budget demands. Money raised through The Meredith Fund is a part of every department’s operating budget, but it is not a specified percentage of the budget.
 
5) “The Meredith Fund says it supports ground maintenance, but Aramark handles the grounds.”
 
Meredith hires Aramark for Food Services and areas of Facilities Services, including Grounds. Since The Meredith Fund is a component of every operating budget, it helps to pay for the costs of maintaining a contract with Aramark and supporting campus maintenance.
 
Thank you to all the Meredith faculty and staff members who give generously to the College each year. The College’s fiscal year runs from July 1-June 30. In Fiscal Year 2009-10, 137 employees made a gift to Meredith.
 
Fiscal Year 2009-10 Gift Designations of Meredith College Faculty and Staff

If you have any questions, please contact Jane Mitchell, director of The Meredith Fund, at mitchelj@meredith.edu or x8060
 

In this Issue:

Update on Meredith’s Administrative Review Process
Classroom Recycling Pilot Project Begins in January
Meredith Fund Mythbusters
New Book Translation Explores Encouragement
Wade Looks Back on 25 Years at Meredith College

Faculty/Staff Accomplishments
Upcoming Events
News Briefs

 

Campus Connections Returns January 18.

Have you presented research or attended a professional meeting recently? Does your department have an event to publicize? Share these items and more with the Meredith community. Faculty and staff are invited to email submissions to Melyssa Allen, “Campus Connections” editor, at allenme@meredith.edu.

Please send any items for the first issue of the spring semester by Wednesday, Jan. 12.