‘Jail-n-Bail’ Booking Funds for Scholars

The UT Dallas Staff Council — in partnership with the University Police Department and fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon — recently kicked off the first “Jail-n-Bail” event, aimed at raising $30,000 for scholarships.

Proceeds will be split evenly between the Staff Council Scholarship Fund for staff members and the Officer Bernard F. Parson Memorial Student Scholarship Fund for students.

Donations are being accepted now through Wednesday, Aug. 27. Contributions are welcomed in the form of cash, checks and credit cards, or through a secure site specifically created for the event.  All gifts are tax deductible.

Donations can also be made by nominating a “jailbird” — in which someone acts as a snitch to file charges against co-workers or students, who in turn must raise funds for the scholarships to bail themselves out of a mock jail.

A round-up Jail-n-Bail event — scheduled during Welcome Week — will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 27 in front of the Student Union.

According to Chris Dickson, president of the UT Dallas Staff Council and a representative of UT System’s Employee Advisory Council, if every person on campus made a minimum donation of $5, the groups would raise more than $85,000.

“We hope that by increasing awareness and securing donations for these important scholarships, we’re assisting with some of the initiatives outlined in the University’s strategic plan — like preparing our students, academically or otherwise, for the challenges they’ll face in tomorrow’s world,” Dickson said.  “The council also strongly supports improving annual giving at the University.”

The fundraiser is also sponsored by the University’s Offices of Development, Alumni Relations, Facilities Management and International Student Services.

For more information about the scholarships, please visit the Staff Council Endowed Scholarship or Officer Bernard Parson Memorial Scholarship Web sites.

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