CU's United Way campaign is seeking greater participation

By Susan Lang

The Cornell United Way Campaign has long been the largest contributor to the United Way of Tompkins County annual fund-raising drive. Cornellians contribute their time and money to support the community's commitment to " ... care for one another." Each year the Cornell United Way cabinet has been proud to participate in one of the most successful United Way campaigns in the nation, but there has never been proof of Cornell's status -- that is, until this year.

As of Oct. 23, the Cornell United Way Campaign has received $176,730.06 of its $525,000 goal.

In the United Way of America 2000 Corporate and Employee Giving Survey, Cornell ranked seventh in the nation among universities for employee giving, with a total gift amount of almost $520,000 last year. However, Cornell's faculty and staff participation rate is only about 17 percent. That compares with more than 50 percent participation, for example, at the University of Rochester, Yale University, Brigham Young University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Western Michigan University and Florida International University, and more than 35 percent participation at the University of Miami, University of Florida, Texas Tech University, Purdue University, University of Kentucky and Ball State University. This year's campaign cabinet hopes to increase the percentage of giving by Cornell faculty and staff.

"We are proud that our Ithaca campus ranks so high among institutions in total giving, but in fact, only about 2,200 faculty and staff out of almost 13,500 employees here were responsible for the United Way gifts last year. We thus have a long way to go in terms of participation," said LeNorman Strong, assistant vice president for student and academic services and the chair for the United Way campaign on campus for the second year in a row. "Our challenge is to put Cornell in the top five for percent of participation this year."

This year's theme for Cornell is "Now, More Than Ever, Working Together to Care for One Another."

"The Sept. 11 national disasters illustrate why this year's campaign is especially important. Given the recent change in our world, this year's effort takes on even greater significance because many local agencies find themselves stretched for resources more than ever," Strong said. "As our community agencies tighten their belts to provide services to an ever-increasing number of individuals and families seeking assistance, there are needs to be supported that are putting pressure on local resources like never before."

This year's campus campaign goal is $525,000. Cornell employees have been receiving their pledge cards, which also offer a new option for donating to the September 11th Fund.

If you haven't received your pledge card and you want it right away, or if you perhaps have misplaced it, you can print out one electronically from http://www.uwtc.org/give.asp.