UNC Tuition Free Day encourages students to give back

If the University were only financially supported by tuition and fees, all students and faculty members would be enjoying summer — or early fall — vacation by now.

On Monday, the Heelraisers Council, an organization dedicated to teaching students the importance of private giving, held the first annual “Tuition Free Day,” to mark the day classes would end if the University solely depended on tuition.

The first month of the school year represents about 10 percent of the academic year, just as tuition and fees cover about 10 percent of the University’s revenue.

More than 12 percent of the sources of revenue for the 2010 fiscal year came from gifts, private grants and investment income.

The University requires more than $2 billion to operate each year. The Eve Carson Scholarship Fund is currently receiving the most donations.

“Many people are surprised to learn that tuition actually covers less than gifts,” said Jordyn Harrison, president of the Heelraisers Council. “We want students to get in the habit of giving as students or young alumni, so they will hopefully give later in life when they likely will have more to give.”

Director of Student Giving Lindsey Rava said the main purpose for Monday’s event was to educate people, especially early in the year, about the best ways to give back to UNC.

“The goal is to raise awareness, not necessarily to get a gift on the spot,” she said.

Most students who donate while enrolled at the University are seniors as part of the Senior Campaign initiative, Rava said.

The Office of University Development encourages a 5 percent participation rate for each class other than the senior class, whose goal this year is 43 percent.

Rava said last year’s seniors didn’t achieve their goal, but did come close. If the senior class achieves its participation goal, a UNC logo will be added to the class stone by the Bell Tower, and alumnus John Moore will contribute an extra $20,000. The Heelraisers’ main event occurs in February for Tag Day, when members place price tags on some University buildings affected by private donations.

The group had a table in Lenoir Dining Hall, as well as members and signs located around campus. If money is donated to the Chancellor’s Unrestricted Fund, the chancellor will appropriate the money where he deems it is most necessary.

Even with a record-high level of research funding this year, donors — especially foundations — continue donating to programs benefiting research, said Scott Ragland, director of development communications, in an e-mail.

“Our endowment has been strong, despite the economy,” he said, adding that the 2010 fiscal year was the third most fruitful for gift-giving in University history.

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Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.