Hayes presents progress of capital campaign to faculty

The General Faculty met the capital campaign once again this week, as Director of Capital Campaign John Hayes gave a presentation on the progress of the quiet phase of the campaign.

The capital campaign has pervaded the year's news of proposed building projects such as the science center and the environmental studies building.

The Board of Trustees approved the execution of the capital campaign plans in their December meeting, though they have not yet appoved the ultimate objectives.

The quiet phase will take place over a couple of years. Two of the seven years of the campaign will be quiet, with fundraising focusing mainly on seeking gifts for the endowment and some buildings.

Since July 1997, fundraisers have raised $21 million in commitments. Hayes said the goal is to raise $165 million, making it easily the largest campaign ever undertaken by the College.

The proposed Science Center is a centerpiece of the campaign. Although the endowment and academic support are also targets for support, the science center will cost an estimated $55 million.

"Normally you raise half of the money you need then borrow the rest," Dean of the College Clayton Koppes said about the enormous project.

The campaign will be made public in the summer of 1999. The College plans to finish construction of the Science Center in 2002, but Koppes reminded that there are always possible modifications in the schedule.