Between March 22 and graduation, the Senior Gift Committee hopes to collect $10,000 from this year’s graduates.

Last Thursday, March 22, in the Peace Quad, some graduating seniors enjoyed a free lunch and a Graduation Kickoff Party where they were informed about the Senior Gift. But gift organizers say they are running into resistance from some graduating seniors who, organizers say, have a misunderstanding of where the money they donate is going.

Amanda Credeur, the committee co-chair, said some seniors might be reluctant to donate because of the recent administrative decision to move this year’s graduation off campus. Credeur said the donations are used exclusively to pay for the gift and are not given to the university in any other way.

“It’s about commemorating the four years you were here, not the two months you were unhappy,” said Credeur, mass communication senior.

While the committee serves as a collecting party through the Annual Fund, it collects solely for the senior gift, Credeur said.

This year the committee plans to donate an all-weather clock to be placed in the quad between the old library and Monroe Hall.

Though designs are still in progress, the clock will have two faces separated by wrought iron. Inlaid at its base will be the 26 seals of Loyola’s brother Jesuit universities across the country.

Seniors who choose to donate the suggested $27 will receive lapel pins and have their names placed in a commencement program during graduation.

Last year’s senior class collected $7,000 for a Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. That money has gone to support scholarships, financial aid and faculty. Past senior gifts have included the restoration of the Cabra Fountain, the stepping stones in the Peace Quad and books for the Monroe Library.

The committee’s next major event, the Senior Gift Phone-a-thon, will take place April 10.

Steve Heath can be reached at [email protected].