As we see it

Norwich just embarked on a new fundraising campaign, called Bearing the Torch

This effort comes on the heels of the last campaign, labeled Norwich Forever.

Norwich comes up with a lot of fancy names to raise money. Every few years it closes one campaign and launches another.

Why in the world does Norwich do this? Is seems to be a waste of effort and money.

Why isn't there just one 2019 fundraiser and that be it?

For more information regarding the newest fundraiser for Norwich, please see page three, where there is a great article written by Ben Cottrell. It goes more in depth about this new effort to make Norwich a better place for students.

It seems to us that whenever Norwich launches a new campaign it costs money. There's new brochures and new stationary and a lot of staff time and extra effort spent planning, instead of just focussing on one goal: raising money.

Why keep changing things? Why keep changing the names? If you have something that works, stick with it.

We all know there are big things planned for Norwich's 200-year anniversary in 2019, so why not be simple and keep it the "2019 plan?"

The salient question is: Do alumni and other donors donate more frequently and give more money if the name is changed?

The previous fundraiser, which supported additions and renovations for the 2019 plan, was a huge success. From the perspective of donors, wouldn't they want to be part of something they already knew was successful?

Students who have been on campus for several years can see the physical evidence of successful fundraising campaigns. There have been numerous renovations and upgrades that have happened because of donations. We students do appreciate the efforts of the fundraisers, and the contributions made by alumni and friends. It makes us students feel like we are part of something big and successful.

If someone on the Norwich staff can explain the rationale behind all the name changes, please feel free to write us a letter to the editor explaing why this is and we'll post it.

Please feel free to send your answers and responses via e-mail to Guidon@norwich.edu, and don't forget we are published online at www.norwichguidon.com