MAY 5, 2020 — Today you can participate in a global movement and make a big difference for UTSA students. There are several ways faculty, staff and the community can help.
President Taylor Eighmy announced last week a special fundraising campaign to raise at least $25,000 in just one week for the university’s Student Emergency Funds before #GivingTuesdayNow. This amount will double a generous allocation made by UT System Chancellor James Milliken with support from the Chancellor’s Council and its executive committee.
#GivingTuesdayNow is a global effort designed to encourage people to support nonprofits and educational institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“At a time when we are all experiencing this pandemic, giving unites us and gives everyone the power to make a difference for others, specifically our students,” said Karl Miller-Lugo, vice president for development and alumni relations. “Giving is a fundamental value that almost anyone can act on. And our students who work so hard are certainly worthy of this support.”
“Giving is a fundamental value that almost anyone can act on. And our students who work so hard are certainly worthy of this support.”
Student Emergency Funds provide grants and other assistance that help UTSA students immediately and directly. All the funds that are part of the Chancellor’s Challenge are made possible by donations from alumni, community friends, faculty, staff and students, and are separate from federal funds received by the university.
“These funds provide flexibility to meet students’ needs for which other funding is restricted or possibly not available,” said Miller-Lugo. “For example, last week a student was granted the money needed to repair a hearing aid. That certainly is a big impact for that Roadrunner.”
Here are some ways you can support the effort:
- Share on social media. Visit us on Facebook or Twitter and share or retweet one of the posts about the Chancellor’s Challenge with #GivingTuesdayNow.
- Email your network. Share the link to the fundraising page on Launch UTSA with your friends and family—typically the most effective way to spread the word. People who know you care about a cause are likely to support it.
- Make your own gift. Visit Launch UTSA to learn about how these funds are helping students. Even $10 makes a difference, and 100% of your gift goes to students in need.
Whether you give or share, your support makes a difference and will help complete the Chancellor’s Challenge for the benefit of our students on #GivingTuesdayNow.
There are a number of funds available where supporters can allocate donations:
- Student Tech Fund provides computers so that students can continue their classes online. There are currently more than 130 students hoping to get a computer.
- Roadrunner Pantry is open on Main Campus and providing food and personal care items, with more than 700 visits since late March.
- Veteran and Military Affairs Emergency Fund provides for emergency needs for our students who are affiliated with the military.
- Fostering Educational Success Center assists students who are particularly vulnerable to this crisis because of a history of foster care.
- Student Emergency Fund provides grants to help students stay enrolled for needs that cannot be covered with other sources of support. More than 108 students have received grants since mid-March, with applications arriving daily.
Gifts made on the Launch UTSA page through the end of today will count toward the $25,000 challenge. Gifts of all amounts count and make a difference.
