Regents Approve UCLA’s $1.2-Billion Fund Drive

UCLA Chancellor Charles E. Young got formal approval from the UC Board of Regents on Thursday for UCLA’s ongoing campaign to raise $1.2 billion, the most ambitious fund-raising drive ever attempted by a public university.

The school already has raised more than a third of the money during the campaign’s “private” phase, which began last July. Young said the drive is designed to give UCLA greater financial independence at a time of eroding state and federal support.

“We have raised in excess of $440 million,” Young told the regents, who were meeting at UCLA, “and we may hit $450 million before the public phase is announced” at a black-tie dinner on the Westwood campus Saturday.

UCLA officials said the university’s 285,000 alumni--only 12% of whom now give to the school--will be among those tapped for donations in the next five years. Officials will also try to persuade non-alumni to give to the university.

About half of the $1.2 billion will go the UCLA Medical Center. The rest will augment the university’s $709-million endowment and be spread around for student scholarships, fellowships, the salaries of select faculty and assorted construction projects.

Although the campaign has been progressing smoothly, a chief concern among strategists is the future role of Young, who ends his 29-year reign as chancellor June 30. He will be replaced Albert Carnesale, now Harvard’s No. 2 administrator.

Young has strong ties to the area’s corporate leaders, and school officials fear losing his connections. But Young said he is willing “to continue to do whatever the staff and new chancellor want.”

Carnesale said through a spokesman that he hopes Young “will remain deeply involved in the campaign.” Carnesale has fund-raising experience as well, helping Harvard with a $2.1-billion drive.

The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education lists UCLA’s campaign as the largest of any public university. Next comes UC Berkeley, which last fall sought the regents’ approval for a $1.1-billion campaign.

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Gift Sources

Here is a look at where UCLA expects gifts to come from in its $1.2-billion fund-raising drive:

Foundations: 25%

Corporations: 15%

Alumni, Parents and Others: 59%

Others: 1%

Source: UCLA