Campus support for COMECC up,
but short of targets

by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff

lthough the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COMECC) has raised more money on campus this year than last, the number of campus employees participating is down. And the campaign's goal of $440,000 has not been reached.

     By the end of January when the campaign was concluded last year, 45 percent of employees had contributed. So far this year that number is 41 percent, reflecting more than 200 fewer donors. Chancellor David Scott has been asking the campus to reach the 50 percent mark for several years.

     Gloria Fox, the campaign's coordinator on campus, called 50 percent "a modest goal in light of participation rates from other state agencies." The Division of Registration and the Department of Education weigh in at a hefty 99 and 98 percent, respectively. The Medical School, President's Office, Labor Relations Commission and Hampshire District Court are among the 48 state agencies where at least 50 percent of the staff gave to COMECC last year.

     The total raised to date this year is $425,288, up from $397,234 last year. Fox said the total has gone up even though fewer people are giving because the average donation is 17.6 percent greater than last year.

     "Our donors continue to demonstrate generosity in their giving," she said.

     "George Parks (chair of the campus campaign) called to check on our results in the midst of planning for the band's participation in the inaugural parade," Fox said. "He said he wants UMass employees to stay No.1 in the state and again make our communities proud of us."

     Fox said employees may contribute a one-time gift by writing a check or using a credit card. Employees also may initiate a payroll deduction of as little as 50 cents per week by calling her at 5-4203 or e-mailing her (gfox@urd.umass.edu).

     "As of Jan. 1, charitable contributions are deductible on our state taxes, as well as our federal taxes," she said. "'Caring and Sharing' pay off even when the tax collector comes knocking."