Uni in need of dough fails the bread test (1 Viewer)

Bobness

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SMH June 3 said:
THE University of Sydney has invited alumni to a dinner of tap water, white bread and baked beans or two minute noodles.

The mock banquet was part of a marketing ploy to raise money for scholarships and bursaries that has backfired, leaving many recipients in a flap and forcing the university to apologise.

Scores of graduates who received another product of the campaign - realistic transcripts of academic records branded "Fail" - were so horrified that they called the student centre either because they believed the university had issued them with a fail grade or they feared their parents would come to that conclusion.

A student administration worker said 130 people complained on Friday, and calls were still being fielded yesterday.

"People were ringing up and thinking it was either theirs or someone else's [transcript, sent mistakenly]. They found it distasteful," said the employee, who did not wish to be identified because he feared repercussions.

"Many staff in student administration are concerned about what was such a cheap ploy to raise funds without any regard to what a transcript means."
Last night the senior academic who approved the letter apologised for the gaffe, which he said was meant to show that students were failing because work commitments prevented them from attending classes. Professor Andrew Coats, a deputy vice-chancellor, said the university's administration was "very embarrassed and appalled" by the reaction.

"The letters were designed to be impactful," he said.

"If, because of this, our campaign has caused offence, we offer our unreserved apology and undertake always to test rigorously for acceptability before any future mailings to our alumni and supporters."

The president of the student representative council, Kate Laing, said she supported the fundraising drive.

"People who went to uni 30 years ago have no idea what it's like today," she said.
Old article, but quite over-the-top nevertheless.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/uni-in-need-of-dough-fails-the-bread-test/2008/06/02/1212258741693.html

Hope these banquets become a regular function :D
 

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