Outreach Center FAQ
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Why are you contacting me?
We want to help our alumni stay connected with LSU New Orleans and aware of current events on campus. In an increasingly mobile society, keeping track of our supporters' current addresses, emails, and phone numbers is important. Alumni and friends are the backbone of our philanthropic support; therefore we also want to ask for gifts towards improving student experience and advancing our mission. Alumni gifts directly influence our national rankings and increase the value of a LSU New Orleans degree.
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Who makes these contacts?
We have current LSU New Orleans students contacting alumni on behalf of the University. Students work at LSU New Orleans Outreach Center, located in the Homer L. Hitt Alumni & Visitor Center on campus.
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Why do you keep asking me to put the gift on a credit card? I'm not used to putting donations on a credit card, and I'm worried about whether it is secure.
The reason we ask for credit cards is simple - it cuts down on our administrative and processing costs. Giving by credit card avoids the costly use of paper and postage for pledge packets and reminders, as well as the time required to put that packet together.
We certainly understand concerns about credit card security! You are wise to think twice about using one over the phone. But we want to reassure you about the process. Students do not keep or record credit card information on paper. It is entered directly into a secure system and is not stored at the Outreach Center or LSU New Orleans, so our students will ask for it again each year.
If you ever have concerns about giving out your credit card information to someone claiming to call from LSU New Orleans, there are some things you can do to be safe. You can check your phone’s caller ID, which should read LSU New Orleans Outreach 504-784-6449. Additionally, please feel free to stop by the Homer L. Hitt Alumni & Visitors Center on campus between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM to visit us.
LSU New Orleans Outreach Center website
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Why do you ask me to commit to an amount over the phone? I would rather think about it and decide when I send in my pledge card.
Giving our students a minimum commitment while they are on the phone with you allows us to allocate our resources right away, such as knowing how much funding will be available for scholarships. It also indicates that you are committed to making a gift. However, you can always increase the amount when you receive the pledge card before you return it.
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I'm on the federal Do Not Call List - why are you calling me?
The legislation covering the National Do Not Call Registry exempts charitable and non-profit institutions. We hope that the reduction in unwanted solicitations for products and services will help folks be more open to a call from LSU New Orleans. However, please let your caller know if you wish to be placed on our internal "do not call" list. We will respect your wishes.