Thrifty College Students Draw Lines Between Give and Take

Despite their busy schedules, Howard students find time to make a contribution to the world around them via the gift of giving.

Whether it is an act as simple as giving a friend a few dollars to get them by until his or her next paycheck or organizing an event that will ultimately help hundreds of needy, the charity of many Howard students has know no end.

Even with monthly bills to pay and the threat of not being validated constantly looming over their heads, some students still share with their peers.

“I don’t have to be very close to someone to give to them. I just have to be sure that the person I am giving to is sincerely nice and generous to me and the people that I care about,” said Deborah Ayorinde, a sophomore film production major.

After leaving home, many students are receiving their first taste of independence and are confronted with the task of being self-reliant.

Now away from their families, students have to make their situations work—money, food and personal items have to stretch for a certain amount of time.

But Tolulola Odukoya, a sophomore biology major, still finds room to share. She attributes her generosity to her religious faith. 

“I grew up with a Christian background, so my first impulse is to share what I have, with anyone,” Odukoya said. “As long as I can afford to, then I don’t mind. I figure that if I was in a bind, I would want somebody to help me out.”

She added, “Normally around the holidays is when I start packing up the things that I know I’ll never wear or use. Living in the dorm has helped too, because there is always a box for donations in the lobby.”

Despite the spirit of generosity that is forever alive on and around campus, most people have some items that are too near and dear to their hearts to part ways with—even for a second.

Ayorinde said that she draws the line at necessity.

 “Things like food when I’m very hungry, my hair products and tools when I need to do my hair, my MAC makeup and toiletries when I am running out are some things that are off limits.”
Odukoya said that if it is breakable, it is off limits.

“I think that clothing and jewelry and things that are breakable, that way if something breaks or ends up missing I’m not upset about it, are definitely off limits to most people except those friends that I know I can always cry with, those ‘true blue’ friends.”

Some students are more reserved with whom they share their personal items.

Dominic Cooper, a sophomore advertising major, said that he has to know the person with whom he is sharing for more than a year to share with them.

“We have to be very close to share food.  My drinks are off limits,” he said. “I will share anything else, but we will have to have known each other for at least a year.”