Point System - University of Tennessee Athletics

Q: What is the "point system?

A: The VASF uses a priority point system to help more fairly allocate donor benefits. Donors receive points based upon the consecutive number of years that they have given to the VASF, as well as for the total cumulative contributions that they have made. This system seeks to reward both a donor's longevity and gift amount when establishing donor priorities.

Q: How is the point system used?

A: The point system is used by the VASF following ways:

Season Football and Basketball Ticket Assignments

The VASF uses the point system to prioritize between donors who are in the same giving category when season ticket requests are reviewed. Season ticket requests are reviewed first in annual giving category order, and then by donor rank within an annual giving category. Thus, a $5,000 donor with a rank of 6000 would be reviewed before a $2,500 donor with a rank of 800. However, the ticket request for the $2,500 donor with a rank of 800 would be reviewed prior to all other donors in the same annual giving category who had a VASF rank of 801 or higher.

Football Parking Pass Assignments

The VASF uses donor rank, as determined by the point system, to assign football parking passes for donors in the Mountaineer annual giving category ($2,500-$4,999) and below. VASF donors at the Bronze Victor level ($5.000-$9,999) and higher assigned football parking according to their donor rank, as determined by the point system, or in a predefined lot if their rank does not qualify them for their choice of parking.

Away Football Games, SEC Postseason Games and Tournaments, and Bowl Game Ticket Assignments

The VASF uses donor rank, as determined by the point system, in two ways when managing the assignment of away football games. SEC Postseason Games, tournaments and bowl tickets. The primary factor in determining the quantity of tickets that a donor is eligible for is the donor's annual giving category.

However, the VASF uses donor rank to differentiate eligible quantities between donors in the same annual giving category, and to reward long-time donors who may be in a lesser annual giving category. Once it has been determined who will receive tickets to these games, the actual ticket locations are assigned strictly in donor rank order, as established by the point system.

An important example of this benefit is the allocation of tickets for the 2005 Cotton Bowl. Due to overwhelming demand for tickets, only VASF members or University donors had the priority to have their ticket orders filled. Individuals who were not contributors to either the VASF or the University as a whole had their tickets orders refunded.

Basketball Parking Pass Assignments

The VASF uses donor rank, as determined by the point system, to assign basketball parking for all donors. However, parking for VASF donors is assigned only after parking has been provided to original Arena Fund Donors.

Q.How are points allocated?

A: VASF donors are awarded one point for every hundred dollars that they contribute and five points for every consecutive year of giving. For example, a $1,000 gift would equal 15 points (10 points for the $1,000 and 5 points for the year). A $2,500 gift would receive 30 points (25 points for the $2,500 and 5 points for the year). Each donor's point total is calculated and then ranked against all other donors. The person with the most points is donor ranked 1, the next highest point total is ranked 2 and so on. Each year, the VASF ranks all donors as of gifts received by the March 1 deadline, Contributions received by 5 p.m. on March 1 or postmarked by the same day will count towards a donor's point total used to establish rank.

Q. What happens to my point total if I drop out of the VASF for one year, but join again the following year?

A: Points for consecutive years of giving are meant to reward the individual who maintains their VASF membership year after to year. Once you drop your membership, you lose all of your points associated with your consecutive years of giving.

Points are accumulated as follows:

5 pts. Awarded for each consecutive year of giving since 1986

1 pt. Awarded for each $100 donated to the VASF since 1986*

1 pt. Awarded for each $100 donated to Capital/Endowment funds since 1986

1 pt. Awarded for each $1,000 in new money raised by a Fund Drive worker

50 pts. Awarded to donor who contributed to men's athletics prior to 1986

50 pts. UT Letterwinners who are active members of the T-Club

Examples:

1. John Doe has been a donor to the VASF for 5 consecutive years and has given a total of $2,500. John's points are as follows:

5 consecutive years x 5 $2,500 total VASF Total Points	= 25 = 25 = 50

2. Joe Smith started giving to the Athletic Department in 1963 and continued giving $500 per year once the VASF was established in 1986. Joe also made a $5,000 gift to the Lindsey Nelson Baseball Stadium and is a football letterman. Joe's points are as follows:

17 consecutive years x 5 $8,000 to VASF = 80x1 $5,000 to Capital = 50x1 Gave prior to 1986 UT Letterman Total	= 85 = 80 = 50 = 50 = 50 = 320

VASF Rank Estimates for March 1, 2005

A donor's rank is determined by his or her point total. The estimates below should give donors a general idea how many points it will take to have certain ranks as of March 1, 2005. These are estimates only, Actual point totals may vary depending on actual gifts received by March 1, 2005.

Rank	Estimated Point Total
100	2400
500	603
1000	418
1500	330
2000	276
2500	230
3000	213
4000	175