“My decision not to donate to Dartmouth reflects my personal conclusion that the negative aspects of Dartmouth outweigh the positive, and nothing more,” Ms. DeLorenzo wrote. “Where other people choose to donate their money is their decision and I fully respect their right to make it.” She could not be reached for comment.

Carolyn A. Pelzel, senior vice president for advancement at Dartmouth, said the university trained student volunteers who managed the fund-raising effort, adding that the publication of Ms. DeLorenzo’s name was “highly inappropriate.”

At Cornell, pressure to contribute to the senior gift was applied through the sorority system, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education, which reported on the issue in its latest edition.

Erica Weitzner, a Cornell graduate who is now in medical school, said she received two or three phone calls and a few e-mails from sorority sisters saying they knew she had not donated. “I understand the theory behind the Cornell campaign is they want their seniors to donate, but pushing this hard makes it seem like it’s no longer really a donation but more like part of tuition,” she said.

Robert F. Sharpe Jr., a fund-raising consultant who happens to be an alumnus of the Cornell Law School, said he was uncomfortable with the tactic. Publishing a list of donors serves the same purpose  “people will know who didn’t give because their name isn’t on the list,” he said, adding: “I have always said that when asking becomes demanding, then giving can approach taking.”