Three red, white and black boxes with University revenue information are in the Brickyard this week asking for help with this year’s senior class gift and to show the impact alumni have monetarily on the University.  Jay Dawkins, senior in civil engineering and senior class president, said the blocks represent chunks of the budget that are funded by tuition, state money and other sources, like giving. “We’re trying to raise awareness of what role alumni-giving plays,” Dawkins said. “Tuition and fees covers about 15 percent. About half  of the budget is paid for by the state, but that leaves a big gap. There’s still a 37 percent gap that the University has to fill.” Dawkins said that the primary sources of money to fill in the gaps are from contracts, grants and alumni-giving.  ”[Alumni-giving] impacts student scholarships, faculty salary, stuff like that,” Dawkins said. “We want to show students, especially seniors, that anything we can give back makes a difference.” The blocks in the Brickyard are meant to create a large visual for students, and specifically for seniors, Dawkins said.”It becomes a little bit more compelling once you see [the visual]. We’re trying to boost understanding of the big picture,” Dawkins said. “It’s part of the senior class gift project.”The Class of 2010 will be the first class since 2002 to give a gift to the University that is not a scholarship endowment.Amanda Kerr, senior in civil engineering and member of the senior class council, said the council, the group raising awareness of the role of alumni and student giving, is trying to raise money for the senior class gift, which is to finish the Memorial Bell Tower.”The senior class council is trying to bridge the gap between graduating as a student and giving back to your school,” Kerr said. “The way to give back to your school, for students, is through the Office of Annual Giving, and this money goes directly to students to help students so your tuition won’t be as high.”