After spending a year overseas, I came back to Brandeis with a newfound appreciation for the numerous opportunities this university offers to its student body. Feeling generous, I donated a nice chunk of money to the Senior Class Gift to express my late-coming gratitude toward this institution. This year, the gift is a music collection, which will be donated to the Goldfarb Library.As a show of thanks from Brandeis for my contribution, I have been made an "Emerging Leader." When I was first made aware of my newfound status, I was not exactly sure what this meant, until I received the following information in an e-mail:

"Justice Brandeis Society Emerging Leaders constitute members of the class of 1993-2003 who make a gift of at least $100 multiplied by the number of years since graduation and current seniors contributing at least $100 to the Senior Class Gift. Emerging Leaders are invited to special lectures, receptions and gatherings throughout the year which provide opportunities for young alumni to stay closely connected to Brandeis as well as to network with other emerging and established alumni business and community leaders."

"How nice," I thought. They are recognizing that I donated the money and are displaying their appreciation. But the more I thought about what it meant to be an Emerging Leader, the more uneasy I felt about being a member of this elite group. I have nothing against the Senior Class Gift, and I am happy to contribute and receive acknowledgement for contributing. However, I could not deny the pressing symbolism of the situation.

The term "Emerging Leader" itself has many implications. To me, it says that I am more likely to become successful because I have money to donate to organizations that will provide me with social connections. I am a leader merely because of my financial status. I would feel differently if we all had the same means to donate to the Senior Class Gift, and the choice of contributing (or not) would exclusively be based on our own personal desires. But we know this is not the case.

We cannot all afford to donate the amount of money that will get us invited to special events where we can informally network with alumni. However, it should be noted that all students do have the opportunity to get in touch with alumni and network using the services and events provided through the Hiatt Career Center. What I find unsettling is that the extra events are exclusive to those students who were able to bestow a certain amount of money.

It is no secret how expensive it is to attend Brandeis. A witty pen given out at the Campus Card Office in Kutz displays the figures outright: "Brandeis Tuition....$28,999; Room and Board....$8,323; This Campus Card Pen....Priceless." Sure, the pen is free now-we have most likely already paid for it. Whether on scholarship, financial aid or full tuition, I think it is safe to say that many of us are already under some financial constraints. To donate a significant amount of money on top of tuition is not such an easy task. Perhaps as a thank-you to all donors, any amount of money could qualify someone as an Emerging Leader.

Because tuition costs bring us monetary limitations, the high price of tuition should entitle all of us to the same events. We are already at a selective institution. Is it really necessary to create even more exclusivity among our own? This elitist attitude is not unique to the Senior Class Gift by any means. Justice Brandeis Scholars have their own events, as do other merit-based organizations. Perhaps I am being hypocritical because I am already partaking in a form of elitism simply by attending Brandeis. In spite of this, my uneasiness with the matter persists.

The most irksome implication of being an Emerging Leader is the larger social issue it reflects. After we graduate from Brandeis, we will continue to see this type of elitism in various sectors of our lives. Money can buy us social connections, better health care, political campaigns, and better education. The list goes on and on. I am aware that this is currently the way of our world, and I am not naave about our economic system. I am, however, disenchanted by the fact that we need to experience these types of elitist structures within a group of students that should theoretically be presented with equal opportunities.