Usually at this time of year, you receive my annual “Report of the
President,” a letter outlining highlights of the previous year with
a link to an online report. This year, however, I am asking you not to
look back but to look forward—to mid-March, when Tulane University
will be publicly launching the largest and most comprehensive fundraising
effort in its history, the $700 million “Promise and Distinction”
campaign.
You might ask why this campaign is so special in a world where fundraising
campaigns are widespread and in an economic climate where such a venture
could be seen as risky. But, quite simply, now is the right time for Tulane,
and Tulane is worth the best efforts we have to give. The university stands
at a critical point in its history—enjoying the amazing growth in
prestige, quality and distinction it has gained over the past two decades
but also cognizant of the promise it holds for taking that next step into
the country’s top echelon
of universities.
I
sincerely hope you will choose to be a part of the campaign that will
enable us to take that step. We have identified a number of key focus
areas for the campaign that are in sync with our university-wide goals.
Of the $700 million goal, for example, we want to devote $325 million
toward the endowment, which will allow us to attract and retain the best
faculty, students, and staff, ensure diversity and enhance academic and
extracurricular programs across all schools and colleges. A goal of $200
million has been set for capital growth, which would include not only
projects already begun, such as the expansion and renovation of the University
Center and the revitalization and expansion of our student residences,
but also “wish list” projects such as the renovation and expansion
of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library and upgraded technology infrastructure.
A goal of $125 million has been set for strategic program support, which
will help provide operating support for programs in which Tulane has current
and emerging strengths—areas such as gene therapy, infectious diseases,
Mississippi River research through the exciting new RiverSphere Project,
and the cultural outreach programs of the Deep South Regional Humanities
Center. Finally, we have set a goal of $50 million for the Tulane University
Annual Fund. Unrestricted gifts from alumni to the Annual Fund give us
the flexibility to meet unanticipated needs and take advantage of unforeseen
opportunities. They are the lifeblood of any institution, and Tulane is
no exception.
You will be hearing and seeing a lot about the campaign in the coming
month as we head toward the big kickoff celebrations on March 16-18. First,
take a look at the website that has been set up for the campaign, and
enjoy some of the special features it offers, such as a series of short
films highlighting different aspects of the life of campus and a list
of public events that will be taking place for the campaign launch. You
can find the website at http://distinction.tulane.edu.
Office
of the President 
I
sincerely hope you will choose to be a part of the campaign that will
enable us to take that step. We have identified a number of key focus
areas for the campaign that are in sync with our university-wide goals.
Of the $700 million goal, for example, we want to devote $325 million
toward the endowment, which will allow us to attract and retain the best
faculty, students, and staff, ensure diversity and enhance academic and
extracurricular programs across all schools and colleges. A goal of $200
million has been set for capital growth, which would include not only
projects already begun, such as the expansion and renovation of the University
Center and the revitalization and expansion of our student residences,
but also “wish list” projects such as the renovation and expansion
of Howard-Tilton Memorial Library and upgraded technology infrastructure.
A goal of $125 million has been set for strategic program support, which
will help provide operating support for programs in which Tulane has current
and emerging strengths—areas such as gene therapy, infectious diseases,
Mississippi River research through the exciting new RiverSphere Project,
and the cultural outreach programs of the Deep South Regional Humanities
Center. Finally, we have set a goal of $50 million for the Tulane University
Annual Fund. Unrestricted gifts from alumni to the Annual Fund give us
the flexibility to meet unanticipated needs and take advantage of unforeseen
opportunities. They are the lifeblood of any institution, and Tulane is
no exception.