Ole Miss Calling Center

The Ole Miss Calling Center continues to raise funds despite the economic recession as well as the controversies Ole Miss has faced this year.

With the football season ending less than satisfactory and the recent release of head football coach Houston Nutt, followed by the retirement of athletic director Pete Boone, Ole Miss has found itsself caught up in quite the controversies.  However, Student employees at the calling center do not feel that the controversies have affected donations this year.

Junior caller Rigby Porter says, "At the begining of the semester a few people we called would say you know i'll donate as soon as Ole Miss does something about that coach and that athletic director.  Now they just find other excuses.  For the most part the people that give, give no matter what, its the people that don't give that make up excuses."

The Calling Center employes 40-45 students who call parents, alumni, and various other friends of the University in search of donations.  These donations benefit scholarships, student affairs, and also individual colleges. 

"Because of their efforts, many students who may not otherwise be able to can attend the University," says David Warner, Manager of the calling center.  "It's important that we attain private funding, because public funding only accounts for 24 % of the University's budget."

Elizabeth Schmitz, a sophomore says, "I really enjoy working here. I've had some people answer the phone and be so horrible, but mostly people are very sweet and willing to help. I find it rewarding to know that I personally help to raise money for the school I love."

The Ole Miss Calling Center not only continues to do well this year, the center has even set records for itsself. The most money raised in one night for instance is $26000. Currently this semester the calling center has raised $413000, with hopes of raising $1 million by the end of the year, which would top last year's amount of $843000.

"We take great pride in this profit and individual development of each of our callers," Warner said.

"With the poor economy and the coaching drama that has been around this semester, I feel that it is very important that we each do our part to help Ole Miss and the students here rise above.  I feel that the calling center really helps accomplish this.  So many parents I talk to are just so happy that someone at the universtiy cares and gets in touch with them. They want to help," says Porter.

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