By
Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Congress approves $2 million funds for Biotech Institute
After revealing the sign displaying Campaign Arizona's one billion dollar goal, UA President Peter Likins yelled to the crowd "Are you ready to make this happen?"
As hundreds of people waited, the Associated Students' executive board revealed the dollar amount slowly. First they held up a one dollar sign, and Likins convinced everyone the University of Arizona could do better.
"A million? No, a billion dollars," Likins exclaimed as the volunteers and surrounding crowd began to yell.
The goal was not set until 11 a.m. Friday morning, Likins said, and an hour later he announced the goal at Campaign Arizona's kick off.
"It's about you - our students, faculty and staff," Likins said. "We're now ready to move into that public phase."
Most public universities do not have the ability to raise such funds, so ASUA president Ben Graff said the goal is inspiring.
"I think a lot of people were very surprised because it's not common for a state university to create a campaign of such magnitude," Graff said.
To date, the UA has raised $486 million with $137 million from Jim Rogers, law school benefactor and owner and president of Sunbelt Broadcasting in Las Vegas. About 46 percent of the money came from alumni, including Rogers' donation. Twenty-six percent came from private individuals, 16 percent was from foundations, 14 percent of the money was donated by corporations and one percent came from other organizations.
"Private individuals are, by an overwhelming percent, the principle source of philanthropy," Likins said. "Alumni are (also) responsible for a substantial amount."
One billion dollars is what Graff hoped for, because it will improve the public's perception of UA, among other things.
"I think it's the exact kind of statement and goal that this university needs to raise the level of our university," he said.
In a typical year, Likins said the UA spends about one billion dollars, but much of this is necessary state funding.
"No matter how much money we raise, it can never take the place of state funding," Graff said. "We should bond with the state legislature and continue our strong ties."
During Likins' Presidential Leadership Team meeting Friday morning, he received a call from the U.S. Congress, confirming that an appropriations bill was passed to give UA $2 million in support of the new Institute for Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology. The facility will cost $60 million, with half coming from federal and state funds and half from private benefactors.
"We've got a way to go," Likins said.
The pep band, color guard, cheerleaders and Wilma and Wilbur Wildcat participated in the event, along with hundreds of Campaign Arizona supporters, from UA students to faculty.
Michelle Yang, an international studies sophomore, said the one billion dollar goal is "definitely attainable, because we're halfway there already."
Likins said his outlook for Campaign Arizona is energetic and positive as he enters the next phase of fundraising at UA.
"We have major mountains to climb in the course of the next 5 years," he said.
