The third annual Faculty Staff Campaign is in full swing.
This year, the University hopes it can build on its success from the previous two years.
The program is a continuing part of a larger fundraiser launched Feb. 3, 2006, called “It Begins at Auburn.”
That campaign set a goal to raise $500 million to keep the University among the nation’s best public institutions.
The target of $500 million was passed last July, and more than $540 million had been collected by the end of 2007.
Though “It Begins at Auburn” officially ended Monday, the 2008 Faculty Staff Campaign, which began March 5, will run through May 2.
Last year, 55 percent of the faculty participated.
The aim this year is to push that number to 60 percent.
“That number will allow us to stay at the top of the Southeastern Conference,” said Virgil Starks, the senior associate of student services for the athletic department. “We want to remain there to show what kind of commitment our staff has to Auburn.”
Auburn led the SEC in terms of campus-wide involvement a year ago.
The campaign gives participants an opportunity to show their dedication to the University, Starks said.
“It’s designed to give faculty and staff a chance to support Auburn and to show how much the community means to them,” Starks said. “We want our students to receive the very best in higher education, and this helps us achieve that goal.”
Starks also said he is encouraged by the contributions from members of the athletic department so far.
“We’re trying to get 95 percent participation out of our group, and we’re very, very pleased with the response right now,” Starks said. “We’re making progress every day.”
The campaign is about more than financial profit, said Lane Sauser, the chief financial officer of the College of Agriculture.
“The purpose is not just the money,” Sauser said. “High participation will send a really strong message to everyone that we’re devoted to Auburn.”
A successful campaign will also urge those outside the University to help out, Sauser said.
“External donors will be encouraged by the fact that our staff is willing to give so much of their effort to improve our school,” Sauser said. “That will lead them to provide more scholarship money and other endowments.”
Starks, Sauser and Dwight Wolfe of the College of Veterinary Medicine are the co-chairs of the initiative.
Wolfe said in a press release that this campaign is another way Auburn can aid people throughout the state.
“All Alabamians benefit from Auburn’s efforts in improving quality of life,” Wolfe said. “Our support serves as a model for others.”
Every college at Auburn is participating in the campaign.
Other organizations participating near campus are all of the AU libraries and the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art.
Any donation from any campus employee is welcome.
More information is available at www.develop.auburn.edu/campaign.
