Student appeal 2010

To say that the 2010 Student Appeal went well this year would be an understatement. Running from 17 August to 16 September, the Student Appeal raised a momentous total of $20,350, including $7000 in matched funds from the University of Melbourne, almost double the amount the Student Appeal Committee set out to raise.

When first established in 2006, the University of Melbourne Student Appeal took the unprecedented step of asking students to give to other students. The idea met with a good deal of scepticism. Critics sided with the popular notion that students, struggling financially themselves, had no capacity to give, and that furthermore, such an appeal relieved the institution of the responsibility to provide financial assistance to students in need.

Any criticisms which were levelled at the Appeal were quickly dispelled. In its inaugural year, the Student Appeal raised over $4000. As an incentive and in support of this initiative, the Vice-Chancellor Glyn Davis said that the University would match the funds raised – providing a great boost to the program, and even attracting donations from alumni and staff who saw a reason to give the appeal their financial and moral support.

The ground-breaking program has gained attention: firstly because in the last few years the Student Appeal has raised money for creating housing grants because housing stress impacts negatively on students’ wellbeing, their ability to study and to enjoy life; and secondly because it then goes on to deliver tangible benefits such as rental assistance grants to students in need.

The Student Appeal has been an outstanding success story for budding philanthropists at the University of Melbourne who believe that anyone, whether rich or poor, has the capacity to give, and to assist others in need. As well as being an inspiring model of student giving, it’s also a great opportunity for students who want to hone their leadership skills in a worthwhile cause.

“It’s a good chance to develop a different set of skills and get involved in the University community,” says Stephanie Lin, student volunteer and Secretary for the Student Appeal Committee. “At the end of the day what you really get out of it is your own satisfaction that you have really helped other students.”

The Student Appeal was initiated by University’s Advancement office in 2006 to create a student-led program to raise funds for causes deemed worthy of financial support. “It’s all student-run, all the ideas come from the students,” says Stephanie. “We plan everything and we set the target. Of course, we get feedback and we work together to come out with some magnificent results.”

“This year has been very cohesive. The success of this year has been a culmination from previous years, a build up and momentum and generally, greater exposure,” says Stephanie proudly. “I think we’ve been successful because we’ve been able to reach different audiences through a variety of activities.”

The Student Appeal Committee organised several activities designed to raise funds and create awareness of the need for philanthropy on campus. The activities included ‘lecture bashing’, a traditional practice of going into a lecture theatre at the beginning or end of the lecture to talk to fellow students about the Appeal; a futsal fundraiser, a team sport event that attracted new donors; ‘flash mob’, a street theatre activity that attracted attention from passers-by; and a ‘sleep-in’, which saw students camped out on the University’s South Lawns to make a statement about the financial difficulties that some students face.

This year, the Student Appeal Committee together with over 110 student volunteers, exceeded their target of $12,000 significantly. All of the $20,350 raised will go directly to rent assistance grants worth $500 each.

The generosity of students has been extraordinary. While around five students made gifts of $100 or more, it was the much larger number of smaller donations from students that has made this appeal such an extraordinary success. It is the willingness to give shown by each of the donors that is significant. The generosity of those donors along with the student volunteers demonstrate that the philanthropic spirit is alive and well in the Melbourne student community.

To donate online or to find out more, please visit the Student Appeal website:
http://www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/giving/student/index.html