As the pandemic continues, Scripps’ Day of Giving donors have helped transform the College in preparation to welcome students back to campus.
By Emily Glory Peters
Every year, the Scripps community comes together in generous support of Day of Giving, the College鈥檚 one-day fundraising campaign. That generosity did not fail in 2020, even as a global pandemic left the College reeling from unexpected financial losses that mounted in the millions. With help from our alumnae, families, and friends, Day of Giving funds last spring raised just shy of $400,000 to help Scripps fill this widening budget gap鈥攁nd those gifts have been hard at work ever since.
Donor gifts impacting everything from campus grounds to student support
As Scripps has leaned into its third semester of remote learning, gifts to The Scripps Fund鈥攖he College鈥檚 main operational fund鈥攈ave helped the campus prepare for the community鈥檚 return.
鈥淎cross campus, we鈥檝e de-densified residence halls and installed automated doors for some buildings, added touchless faucets and toilet valves, upgraded air filters, employed UV and deionized air treatments in the HVAC system, and installed plexiglass between office desks, restroom sinks, and within Malott Commons,鈥� explains Josh Reeder, executive director of facilities management and auxiliary operations. Malott, the campus鈥檚 central dining area, has also been reconfigured for grab-and-go meal packaging and socially distanced food prep鈥攚ith new outdoor hand washing sinks added for enhanced hygiene.
鈥淎ll of these changes will aid in social distancing, air purification and flow, and reduced surface contact,鈥� says Reeder.
Donor gifts will enhance the safety of gathering places, such as Malott Commons, with increased hygiene and social distancing protocols.
In addition, donor gifts have also served as the lifeblood for critical safety enhancements, like Scripps鈥� new COVID-19 testing facilities which will offer secure,聽 rapid-result testing for on-campus students, faculty, and staff. Scripps has also increased its inventory of personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies for campus use鈥攅nough to have on hand for a full semester in case of high demand.
The impact of donor support from last year鈥檚 Day of Giving hasn鈥檛 been limited to on-campus changes. With so many families and students losing work due to the economic shutdown, the College had readied itself for a spike in requests for financial aid. Donor gifts to scholarships helped ensure that students experienced no disruption to their aid packages.
鈥淲e did have families who experienced a loss of a job or income, and where they had new eligibility for financial aid, we were able to meet it,鈥� says Vice President for Enrollment Victoria Romero. 鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful for the donor gifts that have kept Scripps in a position to remain committed to providing additional aid for these students.鈥�
Mental health and wellness programming for students, including counseling subsidies, rental assistance, and free telehealth services, has likewise expanded. As noted by Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Charlotte Johnson, that care is crucial for students who may be struggling.
鈥淣o student can succeed personally or academically if they鈥檙e unsure of whether they can keep a roof over their heads or where their next meal is coming from. [This support] underpins academic success by lifting significant emotional burdens from their shoulders,鈥� she says.
The power of donor support in facing and overcoming crises
With COVID-19 infection spikes continuing to delay students鈥� return to campus, Scripps has grappled with the ensuing financial fallout, enacting necessary budget cuts since spring 2020. Yet, the College was able to avoid permanent layoffs, maintain the excellence of its signature curriculum, and funnel aid to students and programs that needed it most.
鈥淒ay of Giving is a shining example of what can happen when the broader Scripps family throws its full weight behind a shared priority,鈥� says Associate Vice President for Philanthropy Enrique Gonzalez-Salgado. While the impact of these gifts manifests across campus, it serves as a welcome source of encouragement as the College looks ahead.
鈥淕ifts from our donors this past year didn鈥檛 merely equip us to respond to the current crisis. They also helped us prepare for the future without compromising the caliber of the Scripps experience,鈥� says Gonzalez-Salgado. 鈥淲ith their help, we鈥檒l be ready to welcome our students back with open arms the moment restrictions lift.鈥�
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