Help me explain why this is not ethical

[quietplease]

The very small, alternative school that we attend has decided to ask applicants to participate in fundraising before their admission application is accepted or declined. I think that it is unethical to do this, as applicants may feel pressure (intended or not) to participate and give money in order to improve their chances of being accepted. The parents on the Board think that people will understand that it is completely voluntary.

Opinions? Can anyone else help me defend my position?

[Kirsten]

I am 100% in agreement with you!! It feels very slimy/unethical/etc to ask them for money or to help raise money before telling them if they have a spot. "Gee, thanks for the $400 but it turns out we don't have a space for your little Mary. But thanks for supporting our school!" Ick.

How do they determine who has a spot? What time frame? And how would they be asked to fundraise?

I think you should stand your ground - for two reasons. One, it just makes the school look bad to do what the other parents are suggesting. And two, it will lead to issues/bad feelings that will be stressful and require damage control later when this inevitably goes bad.

I'd go to the principal if the PTA board won't agree to common sense and decency.

[annethcz]

Wow, that does make the school look bad. It makes it look as if parents are buying their way into the school.

[Emmeline II]

When I was in the Air Force, I was often told that it is the perception that is important. The perception will be that parent have to/are bribing the board for an admissions spot, no matter the board's true intentions. If participation before acceptance or denial is required then it is a bribe, and they are trying to justify this unethical behavior to themselves.

[LizD]

Yuck. Personally, I would be turned off even if I were interested in the school. I don't know how you could explain that, though- it should be obvious! (Like in math, "obvious and true!")

Perhaps just wording it differently- "during the application process parents are welcome to attend class meetings/school functions, volunteer and participate in fundraising events" would sound better? It sure doesn't sound voluntary the way you describe it!

[straighthaircurly]

As a potential parent I would be extremely offended by such a request, even if their intentions were noble, it comes across as being a bribe request.

[Septagram]

Yeah, if a school required that we do *ANYTHING* before my kids were accepted, I'd bail.

To answer the question in the op, though... It's unethical because it's bribery.

[LynnS6]

: Have these people lost their minds?

Ask the board this:

What it look like if an applicant declined to participate in the fundraising and then was NOT accepted while someone who did do the fundraising was accepted?

How would the defend themselves legally if someone sued them after not being accepted and they didn't do the fundraising, or perhaps didn't do "enough" fundraising?

Why should someone invest time and energy fundraising for a school that they might not be accepted to??

I think it's OK (not great, but OK) to say "Parents will be expected to help with fundraising if their child is accepted." but it is complete and total nonsense to ask people to fundraise BEFORE being accepted.

[hempmama]

No, it will certainly not feel voluntary to the applicants, and would really bother me if I were one of them. I feel I should be able to prioritize my charitable giving, and one of the criteria for me is community based. I'm sure your school is a great cause, but there are lots of great causes out there, and I need to be able to prioritize somehow. I prefer to give in my community rather than out of it, and if I don't know if I'm in the school, I don't know if that's my community or not. I think a lot of people feel this way, and asking them to participate before they know if they are a part of the community(but most especially while they are HOPING to become a part of it) is an extremely underhanded way of broadening your fundraising base.

[basilisa76]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

I think it's OK (not great, but OK) to say "Parents will be expected to help with fundraising if their child is accepted." but it is complete and total nonsense to ask people to fundraise BEFORE being accepted.

I agree with the above. I would be pissed off, too and I would NOT help with fundraising.

Gigi

[quietplease]

So, here's the update. The school was desperate to get more bodies in the door for their fundraiser. They had the ticket person call the prospective families and invite them to attend. Out of 10, only one said yes, which makes me happy because I really think the whole thing stinks. The family that said yes has applied before and been turned down before, so they are probably hoping this will help their cause. Yuck.

Our family is leaving the school this year, so I'm happy to detach from this. Thanks for the feedback!