Santa Clara launches campaign to raise $350 million

By Erin Ryan

Earlier this month President Paul Locatelli, S.J., announced his goal to raise $350 million for the university by June 2006. The "Campaign for Santa Clara" is the largest effort to raise money in the university's history.

When the numbers are broken down, the money is spread over many areas of the university, reflecting its goals to support a community of scholars, provide an integrated education and focus resources on excellence.

The biggest portion of the funding, $100.75 million, goes to scholarships. Both need and merit based, athletic and graduate student scholarships will be offered with the new money.

"We want to be able to help students who want to come here," said Locatelli. "Today, over two-thirds of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. This is what parents worry about - their ability to pay."

Thirty-two million will go to endowed faculty chairs and $5 million for housing to retain and recruit faculty. Without this housing help, many of the university's distinguished faculty could not afford to live and work here, given the high cost of living, say school officials.

Technology is also a priority in the "Campaign for Santa Clara" with $13.5 million to be used to train faculty in using the latest technology in the classroom. A new 21st-century library is another project underway, requiring $75 million from the campaign.

"The two most important things for students are of course the scholarships and the new library," said Barry Holtzclaw, director of media relations. "These will make the biggest difference. Some of the scholarships are already helping students."

The learning environment will further be improved with $40 million for a new building for the Leavey School of Business and $4 million to support the School of Law.

The four Centers of Distinction of Santa Clara will receive $16 million, and a new Jesuit residence will be built at a cost of $6 million.

University athletics are also being supported by $29.25 million in renovation and expansion of the Leavey Center of Business and $4.25 million for a new baseball stadium.

More than $150 million has already been raised for the campaign, mostly by alumni, parents and friends of the university. This money was used in the construction of the Leavey Center of Business and other projects, and $40 million is already working in scholarships. Obviously, it will not take until 2006 for this money to start working for students and the university.

"It speaks to the quality of the university that we have such a loyal alumni base and people who didn't even go here and don't have children here who still want to help us," said Jim Purcell, vice president of university relations. "Most of our alumni and friends are here in the Bay Area, so they can see the effect of their contribution."

Also, Locatelli said, "Santa Clara gets a synergy from the Silicon Valley that no other Jesuit university has."

Other schools cannot compete with Santa Clara on this level because of the unique centers of distinction that teach students to be ethical, moral and improve society, said Locatelli.

Locatelli thinks the campaign will be a success. "We have a great story to tell," said Locatelli. "Great students, committed faculty and innovation"

Both men admitted that in this economy, raising $350 million is going to be a challenge. "We had to develop a set of priorities," said Purcell. "The goals of the campaign do not reflect the total need of the university."

Two years ago, plans for a campaign would have included even more improvements, including more academic buildings, reaching a total goal of close to $500 million. With the current state of the economy, it would not be realistic to attain that kind of money.

However, the university has reason to be optimistic for reaching their goal. Upon announcement of the "Campaign for Santa Clara," the university had already raised $150 million.

The improved learning environment will benefit all aspects of the university, said Purcell. "If we can generate support for the goals, it enhances our regional and national reputation," said Purcell.

Associated Student President Kristin Love, believes that the success of the campaign depends on its involvement with the students.

"As education becomes more expensive for tuition and housing, it is essential that we are able to make this university available to students of all economic backgrounds," Love said. "I hope that we can continue to involve students in the process, because I think that the people who are making the campaign possible want to see where their money is going and that students are involved in helping to decide the future of the university."