'U' to provide for United Way

University will raise about 15 percent of charity's funding

The University often aims for lofty goals in athletics and academics, so perhaps it is no surprise that its charity efforts are ambitious as well.

On Sept. 22, University planners announced they would try to raise $1 million for the Washtenaw United Way. United Way distributes funds to more than 100 local human service agencies, including the Ann Arbor YMCA, the Domestic Violence Project and Ozone House.

"The University of Michigan collects more money for United Way than any other single college campus in North America," said Susan Fiedler, one of the coordinators of the campaign. "We're looking for an enthusiastic year."

If the University reaches its goal, it will provide about 15 percent of the Washtenaw United Way's overall fund-raising goal of $7.5 million. To date, Washtenaw United Way has reached 8.9 percent of the total goal.

EMILY NATHAN/Daily United Way President Jim Cisel stands inside of the new Ozone House shelter yesterday. The United Way contributed some of the funding that helped to build the new shelter.

About 400 University volunteers inform students, faculty and staff about the campaign, headed by Vice President for Student Affairs and campaign chair Maureen Hartford. The solicitors work in eight regions or areas of the University. The regions are then divided into smaller districts and units. Each region has a coordinator working to solicit funds.

The University hopes to solicit donations from 22,000 employees. All funds are voluntarily solicited and remain confidential.

"The funds generated through the campaign help the residents of greater Washtenaw County," said Jim Kosteva, director of community relations and one of the campaign's coordinators. "The campaign is about people helping people within the community."

United Way President Jim Ciselan said members of the University community have a prominent role in the fund-raising drive.

"The University takes a leadership role in the campaign. Many people from the University are involved in the campaign effort," Ciselan said.

N'Tanya Lee, community education coordinator of Ozone House, said United Way helps many community service groups function in the Ann Arbor area.

"We receive important funding from United Way. Some of their allocations made our new shelter possible. United Way means a lot to community-based organizations," she said.

This year's campaign comes in the aftermath of allegations last year against the former president of Washtenaw United Way about misused funds. The former president, Vincent Bucciroso, resigned. The United Way has since hired a new president, streamlined its administrative budget and eliminated direct services and nine staff positions, Ciselan said.

"The board commissioned an oversight committee and made a series of recommendations that corrected a lot of problems in the past," he said. "We're returning back to our roots."

Kosteva said changes in United Way's structure are getting the organization moving again.

"There have been a number of dramatic changes at Washtenaw United Way. It is aggressively streamlining itself, and hopefully it is on a positive track," Kosteva said.

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