Donations contributed to Eastern by its alumni are received in a variety of ways and are generally marked toward a specific department, said Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations.

“We receive alum donations from various sources,” Nilsen said.

She said donations are primarily given to the university through direct mail and the phone-a-thon conducted in the annual campaign.

The phone-a-thon consists of different departments making phone calls throughout the academic year and asking alumni to remember their alma mater by donating, Nilsen said.

“It is ongoing,” she said. “It starts in early fall and continues through the spring.”

More than 32,000 phone calls were made this year, Nilsen said.

When alumni donate, their gifts go to the area or department of the university that they specify, Nilsen said.

“It is always directed where the alumnus indicate,” she said. “We are very, very appreciative of gifts.”

She said if alumni do not indicate what area or department they would like their gifts to be directed to, it goes into an unrestricted account, Nilsen said. The donations in this account support various departments of the university, she said.

However, Nilsen said fewer than one percent of donations are not designated for a specific area.

From July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000, the total alumni monetary donations amounted to $2.75 million, she said.

“Only $4,975 of that amount was not designated (to a specific area),” Nilsen said.

She said each donation significantly assists Eastern in whatever area the money may be directed to.