The Writer’s Coin

Trent’s post over at The Simple Dollar has me thinking about Alma maters and of my own school’s money-collecting ways.

I hadn’t even graduated yet and already they were sending me things in the mail about how important it was to give back to the school, that tuition only covered a small part of a University’s expenses, etc. etc.

But back then I felt like I was paying a LOT (way too much, probably) of money for the privilege of going to school there, so why would I give any money back once I’m no longer enjoying any of the services or perks of being a student? Back then I always whipped out my prostitute analogy: you give money for a service and once that service is over, the transaction is over. Why would there be any more transactions if the services are over?*

Granted, that was when I was a little less mature than I am now, but only a little. I feel differently now about the whole alumni community and I also know how important that network is in terms of getting a job and moving up in the workplace. But I still have not given a cent to that school.

Will I at some point? Probably. But right now it’s not like I can just cut them a check for $500 without any problems. I’m trying to become a writer, remember?

If I did have $500 to burn I think I would give it to a cause like poverty or hunger or genocide, not to my school so they can build another incredible gym for the student athletes.

What’s your take on this? Have you given money back to your school? How do you feel about the whole enterprise?

*None of those kinds of transactions were ever made or ever will be made here, not that there’s anything wrong with that (well, there kind of is)

Tags: alumni, giving back