This year, the University announced the most ambitious private fund-raising campaign ever conducted by a public university in New England--Campaign UConn. The six-year, $300 million campaign is off to a strong start. Thanks to extremely successful preliminary work, the campaign had already raised an impressive $150.2 million at the time of the public announcement.

The campaign will help realize landmark University initiatives through endowments for students, faculty and program support. Campaign UConn also seeks to increase annual private giving from the $20 million received in 1997-98 to $70 million by 2003-04.

"Status as a premier public research university entails high levels of research funding, substantial endowments and robust programs of annual giving," says President Philip E. Austin. "All of us recognize that it will be difficult to sustain, much less expand, our capabilities without the infusion of increased levels of private support."

About 25 percent of the money raised will be directed toward endowed faculty positions, allowing the University to attract and retain the nation's most distinguished scholars, researchers and teachers.

Another 25 percent of Campaign UConn funds will be designated for student scholarships and the Honors Program--designed to challenge and nurture the academic curiosity of highly talented high school graduates who have made UConn their school of choice. In addition, new merit scholarships will be used to recruit the nation's best and brightest young scholars, and need-based scholarships will make UConn accessible to all qualified students, regardless of economic background.

The remaining 50 percent will be used to enhance undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as address facility improvements not included in the UCONN 2000 building program. Focus areas include: coastal marine sciences, e-commerce, fuel-cell technology, regenerative biology, the University's international human rights initiatives, and the Health Center's four signature programs (cancer, brain and human behavior, musculoskeletal disease and Connecticut health). Facility improvements include enriching the planned expansion of the Student Union and building indoor practice facilities for our athletic teams.

According to Edward T. Allenby, vice president for Institutional Advancement and UConn Foundation president, "Campaign UConn will take philanthropic support for UConn to the next level--support that is needed to assist the University in achieving its goals and continuing its remarkable transformation."