You know you are about to graduate when everyone you meet asks what your plans are upon graduation. Another way I was reminded of that was when I received an email from NTU asking me to make a “class gift” so that I can proudly declare at convocation that “I-gave”.
If the fact that “I-gave” is not enough, in exchange for my monetary donation to NTU, it promised me “I-gave” merchandise, to have my name listed on plasma TVs around school or to allow me to display a “gratitude” message—all depending on how much I am willing to give.
This left a bad aftertaste about my forthcoming graduation as it reminded me of a time when I was younger.
When my birthday was approaching, I would always drag my father to the toy department to show him the latest collection of Lego toys. My game plan was simple, I would highlight the sets I liked in the hope that he would buy me a birthday present based on how much he loved me. The choice he made would in turn determine how I treated him after my birthday—for the next few days at least.
Parallels aside, this whole “I-gave” programme seems to have come about simply to tap graduating students as a source of funds because NTU is now encouraged to look beyond public funding by a steering committee headed by the ministry of education in 2005.
Based on statistics on the website, the programme began with the graduating batch of 2005, which was the same year when the preliminary report came out in January encouraging the universities to seek actively for alternative sources of funding.
It is as if NTU, with this new-found autonomy, discovered the potential monetary benefits of good alumni relations and began to work harder to build them up with such a programme. One telling point is how easy it is to donate to this cause. Everything can be done online with a few clicks of a button, as compared with the amount of paper work it still takes me to claim money from the school.
Far from being ungrateful for the various opportunities NTU has given me—I’ve received subsidies for an overseas trip, gone on an exchange programme and had a fulfilling education overall—I strongly believe that there is an obligation for us as students to give something back.
However, is money the only way? And is giving only rewarded when I am graduating?
After doing some searching online on my own, I found out that as an alumnus I could actually also be part of a mentorship programme or be a “class agent” to help students stay in contact with one another. However, based on what I saw on the websites, neither programme was as extensively developed as the one for donations. Unlike the donation website, information presented was sketchy and did not work hard to convince the alumni that this was a cause worth signing up for.
While money may seem to be the most tangible way of helping, the other issue is with the timing of this donation drive.
By framing it in a manner that seems to exploit the gratitude that graduating students should have, I am less inclined to donate. Moreover, the whole idea that there is only one way to show our gratitude and the way it is advocated—with so much pomp and even ambassadors—brings about the question of whether NTU is really interested in my gratitude or just the money.
One way out is to actually open up this drive for funds to all students and make it an annual affair to actually cultivate the spirit of giving back.
Even on the issue of donations, it is important that NTU is transparent and clear about where my money is going. Instead of generic reasons and attempting to hark back to a philanthropic tradition that unfortunately is only beginning to germinate here, there should be tangible and specific goals for each graduating batch’s donations.
Currently, my money either goes to NTU’s endowment fund or to my school’s general fund. As a donor, I would like my donation to be associated with something tangible, so why not something like fund the expansion of the library collection or to improve the canteens. This shows me that the school has concrete plans for my donations and I would be more likely to donate more if I support the cause.
In fact, why not let each graduating batch decide what causes they would want their donations to go to? By involving students in the process, it not only increases a sense of ownership in fund-raising efforts, it also raises awareness of why NTU needs our money.
Most importantly, developing such alumni relations starts from the very day we enter NTU and must be carefully cultivated over the years. It is more important to generate goodwill between NTU and I instead of seeing me as a cash cow. To be harassed for money in my final days in NTU just seems opportunistic. If anything, a donation from me should be encouraged and not enticed.
After all, years after I have made a donation, I would like to know that I contributed to a legacy and not just for a “I-gave” badge.
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c shares her thoughts
says:October 26th, 2008 at 9.54pm
This is very true for me, as final year student myself. Do hope that the voice here can be heard by the relevant layers of authorities. Imagine the thought process behind this letter- a reader here would probably agree with me- there’s so much cool and rationality at work, to put forward a point of contention, which is happening right now right here in school. That means time is running out until the next batch of graduates-to-be face similar issues.
I want to add on that when we put serious thoughts into why we dislike an idea, and we talk about it seriously, we want to BE heard and BE taken just as seriously.
Because alot of things online might go unnoticed, as much it is a great platform to access information, maybe we should identify the targeted layer of authority in regard to this matter and approach them?
Well i actually deleted the email on i-gave in my mailbox before registering in my mind just who exactly sent it.. i bet many students who actually share the exact sentiments expressed in this letter did what i did.
glad you spoke. Now time to hear from the people at power behind i-gave?
cheers.
-seeking dialogue, not monologue.-
Perspective
says:November 17th, 2008 at 1.37pm
Allow me to share my humble views on this issue as an alumni of NTU. As stakeholders in NTU, I think we need to look and understand any issue from various perspectives and angles – from ours as well as from the organization’s. Sometimes, issues may not as straight forward and simple as it seems to be in the case of this young and growing i gave programme. From students’ perspective, one may think that NTU simply wants our money and also they should let the students decide whichever they want their funds e.g $10 to go to. Well, it’s like making a donation of $10 to Singapore Cancer Society with the firm request to designate the $10 to specifically purchase a 1-metre life saving tube for the patients or to specifically designate the funds to pay for the uniform of the healthcare assistants. Ponder about it for a while. Administratively, would adhering to such specific requests from a massive number of small donors further increase the operating costs of the non-profit organizations? Again, it’s a matter of perspective and we need to see the bigger picture ahead of our own individual needs. We know that not all requests though it may seem to be valid at face value may be implemented completely all at one go. Timing is another factor which we need to take into consideration.
Personally, I agree that money is not the only way to show our gratitude towards our alma mater. But I would reckon that it is one good practical way to help to build up the reputation of my alma mater and to help my fellow juniors who are in financially need. If we are willing to fork out our time and efforts to contribute to NTU, why not simply support a small pledge if it’s within our means? Every organization requires financial resources to run it be it big or small. NTU as an organization definitely require strong financial support from private donations apart from government funding and its tuition fees. One may argue to get NTU student volunteers to clean our toilets for a day or two on an ad hoc basis, but would it be possible for them to do it on a long term basis? Thus, money is still needed to be spent on engaging cleaners who would spare the administrator the hassle of coordinating among the volunteers. Also, I find it rather amusing to hear students saying that NTU is exploiting the opportune time when the final year students are about to graduate. Think about it, I’m sure another group of students would start to complain and protest about “exploitation of students” should NTU decided to target i gave programme at the first year students. Final year students should be able to make an informed choice of giving after being through the education here for a few solid years. As we can see, the truth is plain – it’s virtually impossible to please all parties. Someone at somewhere at sometime would have something to say about others. But I also know that all students can still be ambassadors of this programme though this programme encourages final year students to make a gift.
However, it is undeniable that some students would still fail to see the big picture because either no one may have spoken to them about it yet or they choose to shut their ears. But I know that the students will find the solutions if they really bother to seek out the answers in the first place. Many times, it is easy to just utter our grievances and voice opinions for the sake of doing so without undertaking much research to better understand the issues at hand. This is sad as it also reflects the maturity of the students. Wouldn’t it be better to speak about offering feasible solutions to improve the operating climate in the campus? I’m sure that the relevant authorities would be most happy to listen if the students can have the courage to just speak their views after considering the issues from various perspectives. NTU belongs to us – the alumni, the faculty and staff and students. Let’s not be too quick to pass judgment our own alma mater but be gracious to offer our views to the proper channels to enhance the overall well-being of our alma mater. Lastly, let’s also cheer those who run and support this I gave programme (whether it’s staff or student ambassadors) which most of us can reckon that it’s an uphill task to run such programme in local tertiary schools like NTU .
suge
says:November 18th, 2008 at 1.49pm
Dear Perspective,
Are you talking about a different NTU? National Taiwan Uni or Nottingham Trent University?
Listen to our feedbacks? They are most happy to listen?
Well, we’ve voiced out our concerns about recent changes to CCA points system, triple room sharing and the most recent S/U option. And the summary is, we as students do reject change at times. But if the change is positive for the future and is logical, we can understand from the management point of view. The thing is NTU treats students and student leaders like kids in my opinion. This is a big insult to us.
And let me tell you this, the type of feedback handling mechanism NTU adopts is not up to world-class standards in most of our opinions. They adopt the Singapore style/ mentality and that is, “I’m the boss, I’m in charge..so I make the decisions.”
It’s true that it is impossible to please everyone. But if a huge majority are displeased and are making this an issue, have you ever wondered something might be really wrong then? I am very sure that most of us will be more than happy to donate if we really feel that we have benefited from our 3 to 4 yrs here.
Take a step back and ask and observe around. Most NTU students often make this statement, “NTU sucks!”. How often do you hear this from our peers from NUS and SMU?
Something had gone wrong with NTU- the culture and the management style. But what went wrong? I cannot pinpoint exactly at this point of time.
I believe a lot of our professors can share with you what they really feel at their discretion. But then, even professors say that they do not dare to voice out or ‘stick their heads’ out. They are worried they might get ‘chopped’.
Besides that, I also want to point out that NTU OAS and CAO are 2 departments that are unprofessional in many instances when they deal with students. Based on my observations and some others’ observations, they do not have the students’ interests at heart many a times. The staff in these dept are the typical office workers who want to minimise their workload.
The required change is often not proposed and carried out. But those redundant changes with no logical benefits are often proposed.
And I can assure you this, if NTU changes her management style and the way they handle students and feedbacks, donations from us(alumnus) will flow in definitely.
Perspective
says:November 18th, 2008 at 3.12pm
Dear Sage, Thank you for sharing and I do appreciate it. What the students think is logical and positive for the future may be perceived differently by the NTU management. I don’t know. Again, it’s a matter of perspective here. You have your own viewpoints and the NTU management may also have its own viewpoints and considerations. Timing could be a consideration for any policy changes to take place, I suppose. It applies here and anywhere, including our own family. Well, sometimes, you just can’t ignore the fact that students who want to be treated like adults need to really behave like one. I’m sure we all have come across students who simply rambling off their over-generalised views and opinions in public forums, even to the extent of defaming/destroying others (not based on facts and truth). Do you think this is called maturity? Well, different strokes are meant for different folks. In the corporate world, you would realize that this principle could apply very well. Sometimes, it’s easy for us to just generalize the whole organization based on a few bad experiences we have with that particular organisation. Let’s face it. NTU is a huge organization, made up of so many different types of people from all walks of life. I’m not surprised that you would come across some NTU staff who would step on your tail and irritate you in one way or another. Likewise, I’m also sure some faculty/staff of NTU would also have come across students who have angered them in some way or another by their rudeness or other ill-mannered behaviours. Life is imperfect and let’s learn to be more gracious towards people. Remember, like it or not, you are part of NTU and your actions and behaviours would also indirectly affect the reputation of our alma mater in one way or another. Personally, I think, if you are really unhappy about the education here and you think that NTU really sucks, then you may want to seriously consider another alternative education route now because ultimately you would be graduating with a NTU degree, an association for a life time. Think about it carefully and don’t regret for life. When you mentioned that MOST students in NTU often make this statement, “NTU sucks!”, may I ask whether you are referring to over 70% or 80% of the student population who made this statements? Or it is another generalized statement again? I can guarantee you one thing, there is NO system in this world that would make everyone happy all the times! Simply being that organisational systems are made up of imperfect people like you and myself. So the next question we need to ask “Whether, we are part of the problem or part of the solution?” I can respect your decision not to give back to NTU if you can boldly claim that you have NEVER EVER benefitted from NTU at all. Then, really no point staying, let alone giving back. I would also advise you to talk to NTU OAS and CAO if you are unhappy about them. Do it in a professional and mature manner and who knows you may be surprised of the outcomes.
Xiong
says:November 20th, 2008 at 4.51am
” Take a step back and ask and observe around. Most NTU students often make this statement, “NTU sucks!”. How often do you hear this from our peers from NUS and SMU? “
Nice one above.
I am sure many NTU students share the similar experience of facing the brunt of rude administration staff. The various departments or offices are usually uncooperative and impatient when dealing with students. NTU sometimes fail to recognise that the students are their biggest stakeholders and no amount of time and money spent on PR can help change anything. But to be fair, Development Office, which handles i-Gave, has one of the most student-friendly administrative staff around.
NTU needs to work out a better plan to integrate the students into the university better. When the students feel proud of the university, there won’t be any problem with getting donations.
Eisen
says:November 21st, 2008 at 12.18pm
“Take a step back and ask and observe around. Most NTU students often make this statement, “NTU sucks!”. How often do you hear this from our peers from NUS and SMU?”
Haha you should spend some time at Kent Ridge, then.
“I am sure many NTU students share the similar experience of facing the brunt of rude administration staff. The various departments or offices are usually uncooperative and impatient when dealing with students. NTU sometimes fail to recognise that the students are their biggest stakeholders and no amount of time and money spent on PR can help change anything… NTU needs to work out a better plan to integrate the students into the university better. When the students feel proud of the university, there won’t be any problem with getting donations.”
Replace “NTU” with “NUS” and many NUS students will nod their heads in agreement.
I’m a fourth-year student from NUS, by the way.
suge
says:November 21st, 2008 at 8.41pm
Perspective, i might be a lil harsh and vague when i talked about “benefiting from NTU”.
Let me put it this way then. Benefiting from the university, yes. Most of us benefited from the camaraderie forged here. Some of us benefited from some of the brilliant professors here.
But the basis of real benefit that I am talking about here is the overall quality that should be deemed required of an university education. The quality of education that I am pin-pointing is not solely in reference to the transfer of knowledge.
It refers to the kind of holistic education the university provides and this include the kind of treatment we receive from the administrative offices; the way the varsity handle us as students and student leaders; the way our feedback are handled; the transparency in the process of examinations grading that ought to be present but not and the list goes on.
I think you’re making a sweeping statement by referring to the few ramblings off internet forums. However when you take an examined look at the comments made over public forums, they hold some elements of truth in them too though I do agree some of the comments are myopic, nonobjective and unjustifiable.
I do also think what I am trying to bring across is not apparently clear to you. My point and understanding based on the current situation is that students are unhappy and such negative feelings towards the university and her donation drive gimmicks can be reduced provided the following measures are being enforced:
Use the organ that resides on both sides their head to really listen to us and our needs. It is free of charge to use that 2 sides by the way and it doesn’t hurt.
Truly involve us in some of the the decision making process that affects students. We are matured adults and most of us had either served the nation as defenders or old enough to reason between what is effective and what isn’t. We will understand from the university point of view and support them if some changes really need to take place which might affect students’ emotions in the short run, provided they seriously listen to what we have to say.
It is apparent these points are not fulfilled and this led to so much unhappiness amongst students.
To exemplify the problem, it would be meaningful to ask ourselves why NTU students have to set up an independent website to pen articles here.
Honestly, who in the right mind with morals wouldn’t contribute back to their alma mater?
In case if you do not know, I am someone who takes pride in NTU. This is the place which conferred me my degree. I often provide objective and constructive feedback to different avenues of which I had contact with.
Sadly to say, some of them do not even bother replying to my emails. OAS is one of them.
suge
says:November 21st, 2008 at 8.46pm
I do also believe the main summary of this article is questioning why is there such a huge emphasis on this donation drive whereas there isn’t much emphasis on other alumni support programme?
To do justice to I-Gave, what I-Gave failed to point is that every $1 that NTU managed to raise from her own donation drives, the Singapore govt will match that $1 with another $1.
Perspective
says:November 22nd, 2008 at 8.15am
Dear Suge,
I like your second article. Well written. I’m glad you still have a heart for the university. Well, as I have said, NTU is a huge organisation with several colleges, schools and departments. I feel that to even get all faculty and staff to get together to agree on something could even be a monstrous challenge itself. So, in this case, it really take thousands of hands to clap to have an coherent impact.
I cannot comment on your bad experiences with some staff from certian departments, but I think you should seriously write in to the Heads of the concerned departments to voice out your grievances. But I do agree that sometimes, feedback can be better handled by some departments. But we should not let some of these bad experiences to generalise our worldview about the education we have in NTU.
Overall, I can say that I have benefitted a lot just from the degree conferred by the university and I definitely would want my alma mater to continue to grow in stature.
About your question on why is there so many efforts to promote i gave compared to other alumni programmes. I believe both programmes are handled by two different departments in NTU with different stlye and speed of working.
Justin Zhuang
says:November 23rd, 2008 at 8.36pm
I like to add that the Development Office (DO) that runs the i-Gave program approached me after this article was published to understand where I am coming from. In my experience of writing such articles for The Chronicle, this is the first time the administration has responded and I am pleasantly surprised.
NTU is indeed a very large organisation and it is because the DO is tasked purely with raising funds that they only publicise this program. On practical terms, the Alumni Office should work towards sending an integrated message to all students instead of letting each department do its own thing so that we see giving back as more than donations.
And of course, at the end of the day, it is about cultivating a lasting relationship with NTU — that is something one program run by one department cannot achieve alone.
Perspective
says:November 26th, 2008 at 4.38pm
Justin, ,whatever it’s the case, I feel that you may wish to remove the illustration in your opinion piece that seem to imply that the “i gave” programme is squeezing or forcing something from the victimised students. Is that really the case?
As the students of NTU, you may also want to learn how to show some basic respect for your own alma mater with regards to this. Do know that this online forum is accessible by non-student community as well and you are sending a signal to imply that NTU is victimising the students. It’s too easy to pinpoint mistakes and utter one comments freely. So, please at least be fair to NTU in this pictorial aspect.
c shares her thoughts
says:November 30th, 2008 at 4.33am
Dear Perspective,
In either case, readers are responsible for how they interpret, because i think, we are expecting maturity in our readers.
(In any case……)
And that’s a good start.
A rare dialogue that is (so far) almost non-existent in physical form on campus, just like how nitrogen is almost zero% in the atmosphere (hope i got my analogy right).
Btw, hi Justin there. My first comment has identified me to DO too. And well i’m ready to meet up and talk about this with DO till we agree. Would be nice if like-minded folks could join in.
What i guess will effectively work out here, is that we have a proper forum session, face to face, behind closed doors, and we debate like learned adults, argue (our necks red but) in reason, and well, see how much we can get there.
I do see DO seeking for views.
The worst is (hopefully) over. Now that the silence is broken.
Talk.
yeap. i risk receiving email spams and viral threats into my inbox, but to see just how, as we proceed from this virtual platform, how far our efforts to voice can in practice, be heard.
yeaps.
contactcl@hotmail.com
cheers, c.
Perspective
says:November 30th, 2008 at 11.55am
Dear c, you are right to state that the illustration is subjected to interpretation and well how would you think that the readers would interpret this illustration which was put up by the students themselves? Well, I could only say that we have different perspectives.
I’m glad that you are meeting DO to talk things out. Also, What do you really hope to achieve from this meeting? I’m really curious. To argue and debate for the sake of arguing or to prove that your points are better, to showcase your vocality? To tear down DO? Or to really seek to understand and work out a solution to resolve the issues to enhance the university? Do know that sometimes, people can disagree with one another because it’s seeing things from different perspectives, levels and maturity? What you may not agree now, you may agree in the near future after you have truly exposed yourself to the real world outside.
In Singapore, how many times have we seen the students complaining about the teachers etc? But when these very group of students graduated up to become teachers themselves, they start to realise that they have become the same target of criticisms and complaints from their own students.
You are sure lucky that DO is willing even to meet up with you. In other organisations, you would just get shoved off. If you “advance” further, you may just get branded, marked and condemned. I’m saying this from my personal experiences because I’m also a vocal person. But I have learnt a lot of hard lessons after “banging” my heads onto the walls several times when I speak without much research and thinking. NTU is not perfect and how can we make it better? This is the fundamental question mature students would ask themselves.
I wish the meeting a fruitful one and do keep us updated as well.
c shares her thoughts
says:November 30th, 2008 at 5.00pm
yeap. exactly, Perspective. I appreciate your reminding. Definitely, DO is willing to meet students. So folks out there, look.
Will update.
cheerios.
c shares her thoughts
says:December 3rd, 2008 at 12.36am
update from moi:
I spoke with the Manager of DO for slightly less than an hour. Well, it was a pretty energy-charged and engaging exchange.
Apparently, I am now wanted on the team.
I will meet the team proper to decide that, arrangments to meet next week and a.s.a.p kinda attitude is there, mutual.
For now, I am pretty happy our feedback here at this platform is ALLL watched and considered.
That, is good to know. And, that we are indeed rather uninformed of the considerations various platforms in the administration jungle (connotation intended as a personal opinion) have to take, and their various strengths and limits in what they can do and can only do.
Will see if there’s still substantial matter for me to update here.
Meanwhile, seasons’ greetings and yea, i can’t believe it’s another year right at my doorstep.
(:
Justin Zhuang
says:December 3rd, 2008 at 1.31am
Dear Perspective,
I first like to state that I had no say in the illustration. Nonetheless, I think it does capture the essence of my article, that is as a student, the perspective is we are being squeezed.
As for the respect for my alma mater, I do feel I have shown it by putting a rational argument for how I feel and offering solutions. Criticism is never nice to hear but I feel it is the only by being open and transparent to all that we can learn from each other and we should all learn to be a bit more thick skin.
Perspective
says:December 7th, 2008 at 9.48pm
Dear Justin,
Just curious. In simple term, what do you really mean by being “squeezed”? Would you care to elaborate more on how YOU have been “squeezed” into giving back to NTU? Or it is just another assumption you make that students were been “squeezed” into giving? Is your Developing Office (DO) asking too much from each student till you feel squeezed? I just hope yo can be to be fair to both students as well as NTU admin in your statements.
suge
says:December 9th, 2008 at 5.39pm
I’ve just spoke to some of my peers about donating to I Gave and these were some the comments that I received:
“HUH?! Donate?! For ****? Screwed up OAS policies and all their cheap talks about giving the best for their students. Still want us to donate?!”
“I dont think they need so much money before they(NTU and its administrative offices) can start to buck up on their level of commitment towards students. It’s so disgusting to see these media-whores and attention-seekers starting to renovate the halls of residence just because the youth Olympic athletes are going to stay here. We stayed here for so many years, do you see them coming up with long-term initiatives such as installing air-cons in most halls? They DONT! But for these unknown athletes, they started renovating the halls even before we know who they are.”
“Yeah, should be will donate lah. $10 is nothing much actually.”
The comments were either neutral and negative.
I think DO should talk to the other administrative offices about it. I think it’s mostly the experiences with other offices that created such negative feelings amongst students.
Sense
says:December 10th, 2008 at 1.13pm
Hullo! Suge! You talk so much. Have you ever spoken to OAS and those depst which you feel unhappy about?? This is NOT a platform for you to vent your frustrations! GROW UP,KID!!!
Complaint Non Stop
says:December 10th, 2008 at 3.18pm
Hi Suge, sorry no offence. It seems that you like to complain and criticise so many things and very unhappy about NTU – your very own school. Good! I agree with Sense. Have you ever talk to the relevant depts about your concerns? Or you just want to complain and complain and complain and complain and complain non stop?????
What are you as a student going to do about it except to complain and complain and complain and complain and complain non stop and to complain and complain and complain and complain non stop????? I tell you, why don’t you have the guts to just talk to the relevant authoroties in charge just like waht c did. instead of just complaining and complaining and complaining NON-STOP!!!
suge
says:December 10th, 2008 at 4.08pm
I was posting the comments (in quotes) I received from some of the peers I spoke to.
And read my last paragraph about the followup actions that DO can take on next.
Read in entirety before you blast.
And if you’re questioning about if I did spoke to the relevant depts (except DO) about certain issues that I posted here, I’m telling you I’ve been there done that in the most diplomatic manner.
And I’m pretty sure I’m not going to post the exact contents of the discussions. ‘Cause it’s only going to bring out more dirty laundry and ugliness.
suge
says:December 10th, 2008 at 4.14pm
Like what I said, read in entirety before deciding if I’m venting my frustration.
I do understand some do not have the ability to grasp key ideas from passages and so I will reiterate.
suge
says:December 10th, 2008 at 4.16pm
Like what I said, read in entirety before deciding if I was venting my frustration or posting a summary current feedback.
However, I do understand some do not have the ability to grasp key ideas from passages and so I will reiterate.
Refer to the negative comments and come to the below conclusion.
If we want to solve the inherent current problems, start eliminating and approaching it from its roots.
pang
says:December 12th, 2008 at 2.28am
When did this become a flaming forum?
Monk
says:December 12th, 2008 at 9.37am
Dear friends,
Let us adopt a more mature and sensible approach towards voicing our opinions through this forum. From thee various threads posted, I can only say that some students have inevitably used The Enquirer as a forum to vent their inner frustrations and hopefully to rally supporters for sort of personal agendas. While some do provide really good and objective point of view. Let us not just look at ourselves and our needs.
Let’s think how we could make the university a better place. Posting flamming messages with attack intentions only reflect one’s shallowness and lack of maturity.
Buddha
says:December 12th, 2008 at 11.22am
Dear Monk,
Well said!
ICare
says:December 14th, 2008 at 4.06am
I chanced upon this article after searching online channels to vent my frustration after receiving the latest “Christmas edition” of the donation drive ads from the DO Development Office. I had graduated this year.
Very mature article; very heated but composed comments too (for most. Except for the ‘Complain,complain, complain…’ comment). I must say, I share the same sentiments as the author. And honestly I am speaking for my peers too when I say that the tactics used are outright irritating. The committee’s hard sell tactics are chasing even would-be donaters away.
Just to share with you my personal experience,
When I was in primary school, the teacher would hand out these NKF ‘Mr. Kiasu’ donation evelopes to each one of us. Printed on the back of the envelope was twenty lines to record the names of the people who donated. Our homework was simple. Look for family, relatives and friends, fill up all the lines and hit the twenty dollars quota.
So what happens when you are a primary school kid and your friends are all your age and gets only a few dollars of pocket money daily to live by? What happens when you can count the number of family members with just one hand and relatives are hard to come by? 1) You save a portion of your pocket money to ‘donate’ 2) Your parents help share burden, 3) Your beloved aunt pays for the remaining balance and you write names of anonymous strangers to fill the remaining lines.
What I am trying to point out is that donations should be are out of free will. But if any stage of the donation drive process is pressurised by quotas and monetary targets, problems start to appear. It may not be the Igave campaign’s idea to carry out this type of aggressive tactics, but the push factor is there.
I do not know why, but maybe some of you do, this kind of tactics are like deja vu to me. It reminds me of golden taps…
Just looking at the quality paper that these glossy printed media were printed on, makes me wonder the number of needy students that could have benefited from the money wisely spent instead of some massive advertising campaign. Imagine what the driven passionate Igave volunteers and staff could do for those in need within their own capacity.
And as a side note, I myself was once a recipient of bursary awards from the school. Twice in fact. I am grateful for that. So I am also speaking from the beneficiary point of view. If this is the way the money was raised, I will rather not have it. At least, I will still have my dignity intact. And that’s priceless.
Like what the author of the article iterated, I would prefer to contribute to those that are in need in other ways. For example, giving my textbooks away – some new and intact. Or giving mentoring sessions, tutoring sessions, etc. The campaign would be much more warmly received if it was not only monetary based. If I don’t have money, what gives? It should not be “Money, by all means” but “Money, or other Means”.
Lastly, I have to point out that I am not bashing the school because I don’t care. But it is exactly because I care that, that I have pointed out the issue at hand. People who point out issues with the system are often very passionate people about the very things they criticise. Otherwise, how do you explain the tremendous efforts to get their points across? Critics of their countries are often the most patriotic!
PS: I was expecting a Christmas card or some seasons greetings when the envelope from NTU came with christmas tree printed on it – BUT.. oh well.
Apple Pie
says:December 14th, 2008 at 11.40am
Dear ICare,
I understand how you feel after I read your article. I used to feel the same way but now I would say that I have a better picture about i gave after attending one of their talks and also after talking to the staff from DO. Well, at times. we may feel about things from our narrow perspective and feels that we are right based on the “obvious facts”. So, it’s good that we can get a balance view from “the other side”.
Since you care, I would advise you to contact Development Office to better understand about the programme before eaglerly looking for avenues to vent out. DO is willing to listen to student’s feedback and you can be assured that your feedback would be taken seriously. My experience with DO has been a rather pleasant and so you can be open with how you feel with them.
I hope my little sharing helps.
Apple Pie
ICare
says:December 14th, 2008 at 2.10pm
Dear Apple Pie, thanks for your reply. I am glad to understand that the DO is willing to listen. But is willing to act?
Just sharing,
Well, I once feedbacked a teaching issue to the messageboards of a subject I took. It was promptly deleted by the moderator. Not once but thrice. And got called up by the subject teacher. And I assure you that it is was not a deflaming piece.
I had feedbacked to our school regarding a particular foreign professor’s disparaging comments about Singapore students and Singapore’s system. I have never gotten any replies from them.
I had a crazy roomie years ago and feedbacked to the student counselling department, not to blacklist or complain him but to seek advice to help him overcome his extreme symptoms of study stress. I had face to face meetings with the counsellors. And they seek my advice and assistance instead.
Well, these are just some of my stories to share, no hidden meanings. Haha…
I do advocate speaking up but I have been a victim from speaking up in my secondary school days, army days, uni days. Victim of the overall system of the “SU” -> Speak Up, Suffer Unnoticed, so Shut Up.
Dear Apple Pie, it it really necessary to contact the DO to better understand the program? Is it the program objective not available online in the school website? Or is it implying that that information on the Igave site was not enough for us to fully understand the program? Well, maybe that is the reason why Igave receive such ‘undue’ criticism.
Would it not be beneficial for the DO to be more transparent with the program? It amuses me, but from my point of view, any offer to meet up with the DO just to better understand the program just strengthens the notion that there are some agendas that cannot be made public. Is it really so hard to fully explain the program?
I seems that you had a pleasant experience with DO and I appreciate if you could forward my sentiments to the DO on my behalf? I honestly agree that there is only so much feedback a department can handle efficiently. Your first contact has already been made. Cheers.
Lastly, Apple Pie – You gave?
Merry X’mas.
Apple Pie
says:December 15th, 2008 at 9.49am
Dear ICare,
I gave is a young programme and I also know that the Development Office is a relatively new department here in NTU. I believe NUS and SMU also have their own development offices which are relatively young as well. Well, I think it’s good to be vocal and speak our minds but you know and I know that there not every feedback can be implemented immediately due to some organisational constraints which are beyond internal control. Let’s face it – Some depts are easily to work with and yet some depts may not be that cooperative. This happen everywhere, whether in university, in army or in any other organisations.
Well, Development Ofice has its website at http://www.ntu.edu.sg/DO and you may access the website for more information. Most new websites, I guess provides basic information and I believe having a face to face talk would help to address some of your concerns more in depth. If your feedback is valid and “actable”, I don’t see why DO won’t take up and act upon your suggestion. But don’t be too quick to think that DO won’t listen or act to your suggestion, because by having this fixated mindset, it’s not good for both parties. So, it’s good that you talk to DO directly.
Lastly, I gave.
suge
says:December 15th, 2008 at 6.36pm
Well, like what I posted in one of my earlier posts.
What DO should really do now is to get in touch in a holistic manner with the other departments of NTU whose policies affect students as a whole. Get in touch with the other departments to discuss about the current problems and see how things can improve from there.
Sense
says:December 16th, 2008 at 9.18am
It sounds good and easy in writing. Do you know how many schools and depts are there in NTU and so many different little empires run by the chairs and heads of each dept with its own agenda? If I’m the head of OAS, you think I would listen to DO and change my policies just because I want students to give back? Giving back has nothing to do with OAS because I would see this as DO’s own business! Would you spent a lot of time to help your fellow students in his/her exams when you yourself are already struggling with your own exams? This is human nature.
I think getting a meeting is already a massive task not to mention that DO to come and discuss the various policies with the rest. Why don’t someone just go and volunteer to get in touch in a holistic manner with other students in every school to discuss about how to go about preserving the climatic environment? Or Perhaps, the President of US should get in touch in a holistic manner with the other countries whose policies affect terrorism as a whole. Get in touch with the other countries to discuss about the current problems and see how things can improve from there. How effective that would be?
Well, to be honest, I don’t think it’s going to be easy for any dept to do this task of massive coordinating and it’s certainly not going to work well unless DO is headed directly by the President of NTU. Each dept and school have its own agenda and rather challenging, I must say.
ICare
says:December 17th, 2008 at 12.57am
Maybe we sidetracked a bit.
Secondly, the manner that the campaign was carried out left a bad taste in people’s mouth because it seems to imply that they are in desperation to squeeze some dollars out of our pockets.
Thirdly, the impression that money was the only option to ‘give’.
The Igave advertising campaign was TOO successful for its own good.
Sense
says:December 17th, 2008 at 11.34am
Icare, do you mind then sharing some suggestions on carrying out a GOOD TASTE campaign for i gave? You have done enough criticisms. So now, it’s time for you to offer some practical suggestions and solutions. I hope to hear from you.
Monk
says:December 17th, 2008 at 11.44am
ICARE, I urge you to wake up and grow up!You have no clue of what you were rambling about and to think that you were a recipient of bursaries??!!! Shame on you!
I can tell you that the very money whcih you received comes from private donations and guess who drive them! and now use your senses and think where these money comes? Well, indeed, since you ahve such dignity, please return all money have received back to NTU!! I DARE YOU!! So, please don’t talk rubbish here! Grow up and be grateful.
John
says:December 17th, 2008 at 3.34pm
It’s so obvious that this online avenue is swamped in by moles and undercovers sent in by NTU already. And they think most people cannot spot this. No point posting your criticisms here.
From what I’ve read so far, I still do not understand why they want students to go and talk to them (DO). To get brainwashed?
It seems like criticism cannot be tolerated and taken with good faith. And the way it is dealt with is to justify and justify without any indication of willingness to improve or review. Do note that giving a response and answer is different from justifying. Just carry on to justify and argue lor. Carry on and keep up the good work.
To sidetrack a bit, why is there a quota to meet or hit for this donation drive? Don’t worry, the quota will not be met. Economy is bad now.
Julian
says:December 17th, 2008 at 4.50pm
Dear John,
I’m not sure if there are so-called moles or spies sent by NTU. Can’t they just be students with own views? I don’t think it’s fair to imply that students with views for NTU are actually moles sent by them? In this aspect, am I a mole too? I believe this forum is set up to facilitate discussions among students with various views. Thus, we need to accept one another’s views, whether it’s for or against i gave.
Well, personally, I think talking to DO is fact is a good way to better understand because I believe MOST students who posted their comments or criticisms here do not really have the full information or able to see the full picture. If students just want to post negative comments for the sake of doing so, then I think they would not want to talk to DO directly. Also, having a quota to meet is normal is almost any organisation. Don’t you have your own quota to meet for your exams? Do apply to work in an organisation without any quotas and see how long you can survive there. Well, I’m not a mole by the way. If you chhose to think likewise, i hvae no choice. I’m just sharing my thoughts and I hope you can take my criticism in good faith as well.
John
says:December 17th, 2008 at 6.14pm
Like what one of the posters mentioned above, very often charity and donation drives go awfully wrong when the idea of quota kicks in. If donations and giving is out of free will and goodwill, setting a quota is a direct contradiction.
I’m not saying all are moles, but there are some who indeed are. They know who they are. And how I do know some are moles? Well, it’s up to you guys to think about this. Of course, sending in moles is not wrong. At the end of the day, it’s the kind of response and approach taken as well.
By the way, I was one of the I-Gave ambassadors last year. Most of us were ‘tricked’ to become one in case you do not know. We received an email last year to go down for a talk supposedly. And during the talk, they just dropped the bomb and told us we are I Gave ambassadors. How fantastic. How self-assuming. After the talk, they pestered some of us to ‘nominate’ some students from each school to be ambassadors as well. Hourly remuneration was given as one of the benefits for the phonathon work done. So talking about having full information, well, i guess that explains all.
Of course, things might have changed this year under the hands of Richard and I applaud him for his efforts.
Apple Pie
says:December 17th, 2008 at 7.10pm
Hi John,
I am a new i gave ambassador and I write in on my own accord. Well, sorry to say that I have to disagree with you on your first point. I feel that having quotas/goals and donation out of free will is not contradiction at all. Goals provide direction and they serve as a guideline and benchmark for any dept to progress. Of course, the processes of achieving the goals must not be that of coercion since donation must be done out of goodwill which i agree. If there is no goals or quotas set, i think it’s kinda difficult to monitor the overall effectiveness of any campaign.
Well, I’m sad to hear how you ended up being an ambassador last year which I presume you are not an ambassador this year? Ok. I also know that most i gave ambassadors last year were rather “passive” and “inactive” and i guess your sharing explains it all.
This year, it is clearly made known to all newly-joined ambassadors that they have to fully understand the message before they can become an ambassador. I believe things are changing and getting better. This year, I think we have more than 100 ambassadors in total whom i believe were all enlisted after the recruitment talk. At least, on my part, I know I joined this programme because I want to contribute back in some ways.
The Enquirer » A collective stake in the university: i-gave president
says:December 18th, 2008 at 1.26am
[...] sentiments expressed by Justin Zhuang’s (Everything I-gave was not enough?, October 23) are probably shared by a number of other students at [...]
ICare
says:December 19th, 2008 at 1.52am
Haha. Dear John, I know very well the reason for asking people to talk to the DO directly. I have seen it countless time before. It is a deterrence tactic.
Many people will feel that, “Oh well, since it’s so troublesome to get my point across, I’ll just forget about it.” Maybe out of those 100 who want to feedback or voice out, only 1 will have the courage and patience to stand up. Is that really a true representation of the actual popular consensus? Nope.
By making it difficult to feedback/understand, it defeats the feedback system.
Have you followed the US Elections for the past months? Did you know that in the black communities, Hispanic communities and democratic states; due to inadequate voting booths, super long queues, machine breakdowns and the very complex nature of the computerised voting procedures, thousands of tired voters literally gave up and walked away from voting?
If companies or departments treasure feedback, well they would even pay to get it! LOL. Big companies even have personnel that lurk in public forums, messageboards as trolls and read blog comments because they know that is where a free flow of vital information is.
As for ‘goals’ and ‘quotas’, please do not mix those two together, Apple Pie. They are two different flavours entirely. Goals are more general sweeping statements that give your purpose and direction, that may or may not include numerical objectives. For example, “We want to try out best to get donations!” Quotas specify the specific targets that have to be met in an assignment. Meaning “We want to get at least 1 million dollars worth of donations!”
Setting goals are fine for charity drives/ donations. As for quotas, I don’t think it is appropriate.
Well, at least that’s how I look at it.
Anyone else? :)
PS: If I only take part in this online conversation and do not want to meet DO because I am working full time, timings clash and it is troublesome – and I a wimp? :)
Sense
says:December 19th, 2008 at 11.57am
Hi ICare, you claim to care and yet you think it’s troublesome to talk to DO? How troublesome would it be? Well, why not just drop them an email? Would it be too troublesome for you? Don’t give yourself excuses. If you don’t even dare to drop an email to them to voice your concerns, yes, I would think you are a wimp. Sorry to say that.
Well, it seems that you are telling me that you belong to those group who just know how to complain for the sake of complaining. You want to get your point across to others but not willing to listen to what others have to say? Having a dialogue is better unless you really just want to vent and vent your frustrations – one way communication. If you really care, just have a short conversation with them. Well, I have no respect for people like that!
Also, please understand whether you called it goals, quotas, objectives, targets or anything, such reference points are essential. You yourself are working full time and you should know about it. Talk to any other charities/any organisations and check it out if they have any quotas/KPI in place! Goals must be specific and measurable. You can’t just state that “i want to get as much donations as possible from publics”. This is too general and not workable and measurable. To be clear, you have to state that “I aim to achieve $1m donation from public by end Dec 09″ etc.
Sense
says:December 19th, 2008 at 4.50pm
By the way, I’m not sent by NTU in case some were wondering. I’m just someone who feel amused and indignant by the immaturity and lack of depth of some students who posted their ingrate comments on this forum.
ICare
says:December 20th, 2008 at 1.09am
Dear Sense,
If you had read my posts earlier, you would know I do feedback to organisations. But notice the outcomes. And I did not say anything about not dropping emails etc. I think I made it clear in my earlier post what I meant was meeting physically face-to-face.
Don’t worry, I was not wondering whether you were sent by DO or not. There is no need to iterate that. :)
Are you a working adult Sense? Well, anyway, sorry for sidetracking again. Well, at the end of the day, I am wondering about ways how Igive campaign could have been handled differently and how the reception of it will be… :)
Merry X’mas to all.
Apple Pie
says:December 20th, 2008 at 8.43am
Dear Icare,
I would suggest a face to face discussion if you realy care. You can do it in Jan when you are back to school. Anyway, DO office is located near to NTU MacDonalds. I don’t think it’s that troublesome after all to fix a short discssion with Richard. Other departments may not respond readily to you but I’m sure DO would. Only if you give them the opportunity. There are actually a few things which students in general are unable to see from our own perspective. I gave is not just about getting monies from students. There’s more to that.
Voice
says:December 21st, 2008 at 11.36am
Dear Apple Pie,
No point responding to every criticism. From what some of them have written, you already have a feel what they are like and their character.sigh You and the rest can just save your breath and don’t bother to respond to explain or anything.
Let them write what they want to write and let them say what they want to say so long as they happy. Look how responding to these open condemnation by some our very own NTU students have led to?
Remember “If you fight with the pigs, you get dirty and they love it”. So my advice is to let them get dirty among themselves so long they love it.