While I appreciate the degree that I will be receiving from the university in about 45 days, I must say I am quite taken aback by a recent phone call requesting a general donation to the university. While $20.09 may seem reasonable to many people, clearly they don’t understand the financial quagmire I find myself in.
To put it simply ‘- I am broke and this is why:’ For the past two and a half years I have had to work menial part-time jobs while putting myself through school full-time. Because these jobs are low paying, I have been unable to move closer to the city and, as a result, have had to commute daily from more than an hour away. Between train tickets, parking and gas money, the shear act of getting to campus has nearly bankrupted me.
Additionally, if spending my own money was not enough, I have also had to take out numerous loans, forcing me to spend money that doesn’t belong to me so that I may remain enrolled at this wonderful establishment. To top off the spending spree, I have had to pay for books ‘- and I’ll admit that since sometimes I like to eat, I have also bought food.
These facts, coupled with a stalling economy and the dimming prospect of finding a job following my May 1 graduation, should make it abundantly clear why I feel the university’s call was, at best, ill-timed and, at worst, quite presumptuous. Therefore it is my sincere hope that the university will accept my donation in the form of loan repayment checks.

‘- Jessica Lelli-Fleet is a senior international affairs major.