Spring Break
Rakin' in the dough
Telefund brings money to university while providing students jobs on campus
Breann Schossow
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
Even with state support and tuition funding education-covering necessities at UW-Eau Claire, there's still a gap. That's where Telefund and the generosity of private donors come in, said Amy Oldakowski, Telefund coordinator.
Telefund is an on-campus job for students, and is composed of a group of student callers who work Sunday through Wednesday calling alumni to update their information and ask for donations to the university, Oldakowski said.
"Telefund works to get and keep donors involved so students can continue to enjoy the quality of education that UW-Eau Claire is known for," Oldakowski said, "Giving back really makes a difference."
The program began in 1981 by a volunteer staff of faculty and alumni, Oldakowski said. Telefund raises money for the excellence fund, which is a general fund. Money will go where it is needed, she said. Also, alumni may choose to donate money to a specific place.
Senior Sarah Chiodo, a student supervisor at Telefund, said the program benefits the university in many ways, like donations to student/faculty research and scholarships, among other areas.
Alumni are willing to donate and help the university they came from, she said, because it makes their degree look better.
"(I'm) not sure where the university would be without it," she said.
Chiodo said Telefund is making a big push with the start of a public relations committee, We Gave Back, which she is a member of.
The committee will alert students on campus about the program and educate them about the importance of private support, Oldakowski said.
Last week there was a Telefund booth set up in Hibbard Hall.
Freshman Stephanie Gustufsan and senior DaPhorn Lee worked at the booth.
For Lee, one of the best parts of her job is actually contacting alumni, she said, because it's an opportunity to find out what they're doing now.
Gustufsan agreed, adding that chatting with alumni included hearing many interesting stories. Gustufsan said she works three nights a week and most people work about the same.
Gustufsan said, some alumni aren't as receptive to student callers of Telefund.
"That's a regular part of the job, talking to those who don't want to (donate)," she said.
Besides alumni, Telefund also contacts parents, employees at the university and community members, who are called "friends of the university," Gustufsan said.
Working as a student caller for Telefund has helped increase her interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills, Lee said. Gustufsan agreed.
"(It has) improved my ability to speak with all types of people."
Telefund is an on-campus job for students, and is composed of a group of student callers who work Sunday through Wednesday calling alumni to update their information and ask for donations to the university, Oldakowski said.
"Telefund works to get and keep donors involved so students can continue to enjoy the quality of education that UW-Eau Claire is known for," Oldakowski said, "Giving back really makes a difference."
The program began in 1981 by a volunteer staff of faculty and alumni, Oldakowski said. Telefund raises money for the excellence fund, which is a general fund. Money will go where it is needed, she said. Also, alumni may choose to donate money to a specific place.
Senior Sarah Chiodo, a student supervisor at Telefund, said the program benefits the university in many ways, like donations to student/faculty research and scholarships, among other areas.
Alumni are willing to donate and help the university they came from, she said, because it makes their degree look better.
"(I'm) not sure where the university would be without it," she said.
Chiodo said Telefund is making a big push with the start of a public relations committee, We Gave Back, which she is a member of.
The committee will alert students on campus about the program and educate them about the importance of private support, Oldakowski said.
Last week there was a Telefund booth set up in Hibbard Hall.
Freshman Stephanie Gustufsan and senior DaPhorn Lee worked at the booth.
For Lee, one of the best parts of her job is actually contacting alumni, she said, because it's an opportunity to find out what they're doing now.
Gustufsan agreed, adding that chatting with alumni included hearing many interesting stories. Gustufsan said she works three nights a week and most people work about the same.
Gustufsan said, some alumni aren't as receptive to student callers of Telefund.
"That's a regular part of the job, talking to those who don't want to (donate)," she said.
Besides alumni, Telefund also contacts parents, employees at the university and community members, who are called "friends of the university," Gustufsan said.
Working as a student caller for Telefund has helped increase her interpersonal, communication and negotiating skills, Lee said. Gustufsan agreed.
"(It has) improved my ability to speak with all types of people."
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