I have nothing against any college trying to raise money however it is a little annoying because I do not know how they got my number - I am on the do not call list and am unlisted in the phone book and also because I never attended Ohio State. If I'm going to support anyone its going to be the college I did attend.
I work at the calling center right now and tell you right now that what we do is for the good of academics. All donations that go through the calling center go towards things that affect you personally- the Wexner Medical Center, Pelotonia, scholarships for students, things of this nature. I would say the majority of them go towards students in helping them exceed. The reason why we call is because about ONE THIRD of tuition- that's right- is covered from donations from alumni and friends of Ohio State. The other two thirds are split between federal financial aid and by the student themself.
When we call, we want to explain that to you as an alumnus, and we want to keep that tuition low so that other prospective students can get an affordable education. Yes, we know you have student debt, we are students too and are going through the same thing. We know what it's like to have overwhelming loads of loans. But we are trying to outreach so that students- our fellow Buckeyes- don't have to, and can therefore benefit our society as a whole and as a community.
We are used to people hanging up on us. I'll admit, it's frustrating sometimes. But it's just downright disappointing when you start yelling or cussing at us on the phone, because we're simply just doing our job. Someone has to do it, and it's important to the school. Every school does it, it doesn't make us different. We take you off the list if you say, "Please take us off the calling list." Simple as that. We just hope you're not rude about it. It's our job to ask and advocate for the importance of donating.
So the next time, please consider just making a small donation. Not only does it take you off the calling list for a year because you contributed, but you did it to a school that did so much for you, in terms of degree or experience or friends or whatever. Even if it is 20 bucks, it still goes a long way in changing someone's life and career, just like it did for you.
Thanks for reading, I hope I changed some people's mind about it.