Although many students might feel they do enough to support UB by paying tuition, there are some who go the extra mile to help fund their school. They don't pay more than other students, but they do handle far more money than most see during all their years of college.
These students are the driving force behind the Ruffalo Cody Student Calling Center in Porter Quad. As student callers, they spend their nights collecting donations and gifts to fund the numerous programs UB's academic departments need to survive.
Since July, the calling center has raised $897,488, which pays for fellowships, research, equipment and facilities, according to Maureen Hammett, associate vice president for university development.
Money raised by the center, however, doesn't all go towards the same thing. One day, students might focus on the School of Nursing, and on another day they'll make calls on behalf of the School of Engineering.
According to Patricia Grabenstetter, the call center manager, the department deans decide where the funding will go.
The School of Medicine is currently using its funding from the call center for a technical center that will include up-to-date medical and video equipment. The athletic department is using its money for renovations and to expand the football training and locker rooms. WBFO, the radio station at UB, uses the contributions to entice new listeners to their programming.
A usual workday for student callers starts at 5 p.m. and it's right to the phones. Shifts are spent calling alumni, family and friends of the different schools within UB in hope of gaining pledges.
Grabenstetter is responsible for briefing the student callers before they begin their shifts, informing them who they'll be calling and what their goal is for the day.
"We are successful at achieving our goals here of raising money for the university and helping out our peers," Grabenstetter said.
Matt Degen, a sophomore music major and call center employee, said responses vary from person to person when talking on the phone.
"Some people are so excited about helping the school out, while others just do not have the time," Degen said.
Degen said the center should not be confused with traditional telemarketers because the money goes to help UB's academic community.
"It isn't like we are selling knives or anything," he said.
Aside from asking for money, student callers inform each caller of the latest increases in tuition, local state budget cuts and the importance of scholarships.
Jessica Lane, junior French and International Studies major, said she enjoys working at the call center.
"We give people a personal touch of what's going on at their alma mater," Lane said. "This job builds communication skills and gives us all a sense of professionalism."
Degen said he believes the job is a great business experience and talking to people is key to being successful at it.
"Jobs like this look great on a r?(c)sum?(c) and teach students how to talk in a professional manner," Grabenstetter said.
News Editor Jessica Packard contributed to this story.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
