Remember when telemarketers called your house when you just sat down to eat dinner? Remember when they would call at the most inconvenient hours, making it less likely that you would want to give organization “X” money? I feel the same way about the “Invest in the Nest” campaign. It’s inconvenient, and somewhat of a nuisance —   just like telemarketers.

They’re smart and get you by Becker and Brandeis just as you’re about to eat. Not only that, but they lure your attention with things like candy and cool sunglasses. Do I want both of those things? Yes. Do I want to give some cash, Jaybucks to get them? Not so much.

I understand the purpose of their campaign. I understand that tuition doesn’t cover the full cost of my education; however, targeting me as a student is not the way to go. Accepting monies other than cold hard cash is a good idea; it opens the door for more students to invest because maybe they’ll have spare Jaybucks to share. But at the end of the semester when the amounts of both are dwindling, I’m less likely to donate.

We are students and don’t have that kind of money. Even if I did have a little bit of extra money to spend, giving some to Creighton certainly isn’t on the top of my list.

Not to say that Creighton hasn’t been great to me — it has been — but hit me up a couple years after graduation when I hopefully have a full time job with some source of income. These tables should have contact cards.

Maybe students know of other people that would be tickled pink to give money to a school that needs it. The power of connections is crazy, and in times like this student input could be helpful.

To be realistic, most college students use their money on other things they need, such as laundry expenses for clean clothes, food to sustain themselves and gas to transport themselves.

Other random expenses sneak up on you at times, and having that money is helpful. Your professor added a book to the syllabus and you didn’t know about it? There goes that birthday money. Deposit for study abroad? Shoot. Dang it, I need to pay my dues this month. Agh, rent is due in two days and I completely forgot.

When I see that table, or the lovely signs staked out around campus with “Invest in the Nest” stamped on them, I am inclined to walk straight on pass and say no thanks.

So why do I feel guilty walking past? I should give back to my school. I should give them something to show my appreciation, but I think this is an appropriate time to say “too soon.” It’s too soon to ask me for money. It’s too soon to start preying on me — let me be until I can call myself a Creighton alum.

Speaking of alumni, this campaign should be directed toward them. Obviously tons of alumni aren’t milling around Creighton’s campus — aside from the ones that work here, — but an “Invest in the Nest” for them would be practical. I won’t deny that Creighton alumni are contacted for donations — thus the need for student Phonathon workers — but honestly, they’re the ones with money in the bank. Joe Cool, Creighton University student, and Mr. Monopoly, Creighton University alum… which one would you guess has more money to give?

The other day I just wanted a piece of candy and I asked what I had to do to get a piece? And they said, “Well you need to donate some money.” Okay, do you accept change? “Yes, but is it a donation from the heart?” Well no actually, it’s not.

So I didn’t give them any money. If I gave money to them it would be because I felt like I had to, and it definitely wouldn’t be from the heart. Shouldn’t they target people who they know are giving from the heart and don’t need an incentive to donate?