We’ve always suspected that student life was not at the top of administrators’ fundraising priorities, and now that Campaign Northwestern has released its accomplishments to date, we have the numbers to prove it.
While the $1.4 billion campaign exceeded its goals for operations donations by 28 percent, its goals for facilities fell 21 percent short. Not surprisingly, one of the goals for which the university raised the least money was Norris University Center renovations, which are expected to cost $21 million. NU has raised a paltry $3.5 million for Norris.
We understand many donors have pet programs they want to fund. But there are also many who would give their money elsewhere — for example, student life — if administrators pointed out that operations goals have been met while other areas still need support.
The surprising success of the operations push also undermines University President Henry Bienen’s complaint that donors aren’t interested in giving to buildings that have already been named, like Norris. Having one’s name on a wing of the university center surely affords more recognition than operations donations — unless NU starts “naming” towel dispensers and dining trays.
The administration has until Aug. 31 to prove us wrong about its priorities. We hope it does — before the eight years of undergraduates who have watched Campaign Northwestern grow decide to give another school altogether.