USF Aims to Raise $1 Billion

[Jim Johnson]

USF Aims To Raise A Billion

By ADAM EMERSON The Tampa Tribune

Published: Nov 29, 2006

TAMPA - USF is in the preliminary, "quiet phase" of a fundraising campaign aiming for $500 million to $1 billion in private donations.

To lead its efforts, the University of South Florida is relying on two business heavyweights and their network of deep-pocketed friends: Frank Morsani, who has donated millions to the university, and Leslie Muma, the former chief executive of Milwaukee-based Fiserv Inc. The two will co-chair the campaign.

USF's last fundraising campaign ended in 2001 and secured the university $256 million in private money. Today, the stakes are higher. Florida's 11 public universities compete fiercely for limited state dollars, and those schools expect to enroll 50,000 more students during the next six years.

By its own projections, USF would be the largest by then with 58,000 students. To accommodate them, the university needs more classrooms, laboratories and endowed faculty chairs, as well as scholarship money, officials say.

The university began the campaign's quiet phase 15 months ago, and its foundation raised $69.4 million last fiscal year, which ended in June. Its goal this fiscal year is $75 million, said Jo-Ann Alessandrini, USF's chief fundraiser.

University officials haven't said when they might kick off the official campaign - a feasibility study in January listed the $500 million to $1 billion goal.

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[lotsofbull99]

We can build a nice OCS with $1 Billion!  Luxury Boxes for all!

[Guest]

None of this money is for athletics.

[Economics_Nerd82]

Be nice to see a College of Economics... but, maybe I'm a little biased.

[BoozedUpBull]

Be nice to see a College of Economics... but, maybe I'm a little biased.

I'd like to see some money going to improving the MBA program's national ranking.

[USF03]

USF fundraising is in sad shape.  Everything from athletics, classrooms, student buildings, residence halls, infastructure, and even our good old band uniforms need an upgrade.

We have been LUCKY so far with the state getting extra revenue that was not projected this last year.  The state has already said they are not granting new buildings etc. until all current projects are complete and renovations to older buildings are done (basicly).

The university needs to build up everything, not just athletics.  They have done a pretty good job building athletics (with the help of Leroy, etc in the past), but have been slacking in everything else.  Only now are we getting a new student union (paid for by student fees, not donations of any type).  Renovations to (mainly College of Arts & Sciences) buildings are needed NOW.  

Football is already getting new fancy fields and they have that amazing athletic center.  Unless someone throws a lot of funding their way, maybe we should hold off on the rain machine and snow maker I mentioned for the football team in another thead.

[Bull Martin]

Well seeing as engineering draws in almost 30 percent of the schools revenue maybe engineering should get a large cut!

[TampaTower]

By its own projections, USF would be the largest by then with 58,000 students. To accommodate them, the university needs more classrooms, laboratories and endowed faculty chairs, as well as scholarship money, officials say.

Imagine parking.

[Bull Martin]

By its own projections, USF would be the largest by then with 58,000 students. To accommodate them, the university needs more classrooms, laboratories and endowed faculty chairs, as well as scholarship money, officials say.

Imagine parking.

Eeeek!!!!  Glad I wont have to go to campus after this year, just Ray Jay.

[Economics_Nerd82]

Parking won't change. They'll just raise the price of a parking permit so the same amount of people are parking as there are now.

- Brought to you by... College of Economics  ;D