As members of various clubs and groups in Hartford, CT, we used to host meal swipe fundraiser drives on Thursdays. These fundraisers allowed students to donate their leftover swipes to a charitable cause. This initiative was a significant source of funding for community service clubs, drives, and humanitarian aid. After renovating the Mather dining hall and changing meal plans, Chartwells stopped organizing swipe drive fundraisers. Without this source of fundraising, many community service clubs are now struggling to finance their drives and service programs.

The discontinuation of these swipe drive fundraisers has not only affected our ability to conduct meaningful community service but also reduced student engagement with these crucial initiatives. According to a study by Stanford University's Center for Education Policy Analysis (CEPA), student participation in extracurricular activities like clubs is linked with higher academic performance and increased civic engagement.

We urge Chartwells and the Trinity College administration to reconsider their decision and reinstate swipe drive fundraisers by allowing students to donate the 5 meal trades students have with their All Access Plan and the 10 meal trades students on the Senior Class Meal Plan have. By doing so, they would be supporting student-led initiatives that contribute significantly towards building a vibrant school community while fostering civic responsibility among students.

Please sign this petition if you believe in empowering student-led initiatives through practical support such as reinstating swipe drive fundraisers.