Fundraising drive to help student group

The Development and Planning Office will launch a fundraising drive this week aimed at convincing University alumni to give money for undergraduate extracurricular activities, University officials and student leaders said yesterday. The development office is mailing out a newly-designed brochure to 40,000 people who have graduated from the University in the past 24 years. Alumni will be asked to donate to one of eight umbrella student groups -- Social Planning and Events Committee, United Minorities Council, Penn Volunteer Network, Performing Arts Council, Student Activities Council, Publications Board, Sports Club Council and the Undergraduate Assembly. UA Chairperson Jeff Lichtman, who said the UA approached the development office early last semester, called the drive an "opportunity for undergraduates to obtain additional funding at no financial cost to us" since the administration is funding the venture. "[The] uniqueness is the fact that the development office is helping us raise money which will directly benefit student activities," said Lichtman, a College senior. Senior Vice President of Development and Planning Rick Nahm said yesterday this is a "very large scale effort." Nahm said the program is a pilot effort to raise funds for student activities and said, if the drive is a success, the UA will finance future fundraising efforts. "[The UA and other student groups] don't have the finances for printing and postage," Nahm said. The development office is the chief fundraising body for the University. Though Nahm said he does not know how much the mailing will cost, Lichtman said the price will "probably be about thirty" thousand dollars. Nahm said the envelopes will be sent third-class postage to cut costs. Though Lichtman said he is hoping to have a positive alumni response, he said he is most encouraged because the mailing marks the first time there has been a working relationship between the UA and the development office. "[The] relationship is quite significant," Lichtman said. "We approached them in a professional way [and] we sought a way to work with them." Both Lichtman and Nahm said they do not know how much money the drive will generate because a drive soliciting funds for students has never before been attempted. But UA Advisor Fran Walker said she thinks the mailing will raise money because the development office "wouldn't do it if they didn't think it was going to be successful." "Any money they can raise for student organizations will be used and will free up money for other things that students want to do," said Walker, director of the office of student life. Lichtman said Nahm will speak about the fundraising effort and his office's relationship with students at the UA's reception for student leaders tomorrow afternoon

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