The sundial in front of Primrose Hall, inscribed with the words “Class 1913,” will forever commemorate this century-old bunch of graduates. The Dan Allen Gateway — to the chagrin of many — stands as a tribute to the class of 2011. 

Now when we think or utter, “How do I use this sundial?” or “Damn this God-forsaken gate,” we’ll fondly reminisce about the classes responsible for them. 

Soon-to-be graduates want rich memories of their time on campus, but we too want to be remembered. A senior class gift represents the combined effort to give back to the University and to cement a legacy. But it seems as if gifts made in solidarity are a thing of the past, thanks to the new “passion-based” gift-giving.

An email I received from the co-chairs of the Senior Class Gift Campaign explained that I could give a gift of $20.13 to a list of various funds and organizations. Instead of one large gift from many students, the University will receive a myriad of smaller gifts from many students. According to the email, the options for where my $20.13 can go are endless — anywhere from the Finish the Bell Tower Fund to the J.C. Raulston Arboretum.

Seniors can also fill in a blank if they, like me, are not too passionate about the suggested items in the list of established funds. The possibilities are endless . . . 

Or are they?

I was told that my gift might not go to its intended designation, a fund of my own creation for a cause I hold dear to my heart: The Install Partitions Between Every Urinal on Campus Fund.

Why not? This is a 21st Century campus, and we should upgrade our restrooms to reflect that. And excuse my potty language, but while we’re at it, I’d give another $20.13 to the Fix the Men’s Toilet on the Third Floor of Witherspoon Fund.

Chances are I’d be the only person donating to either of those funds, so my donation would have an infinitesimal impact. So it raises this question: Do the donations designated for unpopular funds still go to those funds? If not, to what do they go? 

Why not collect the donations in a giant pot and use that money to make a real, visible impact on campus?

Past graduating classes have gifted green-spaces and scholarship endowments. Those are gifts that benefit future students and symbolically seal a bond between seniors and their soon-to-be alma mater.

 Even if the sum of all donations is sizable, future students and wanderers on campus will never know the impact the class of 2013 had on this University. Admittedly, I am being sentimental, and perhaps a bit egotistical. But the class of 2013 will be forgotten unless we each raise money to memorialize ourselves with statues.

With that said, I think I just found a fund I can passionately give to.