UALR’s faculty and staff are inching up to this year’s ambitious goal for the 2008 Campus Campaign by the end of the calendar year. So far, 46 percent of campus staff and faculty have contributed to the campaign to support UALR programs and facilities. The goal is 50 percent participation.

Jennifer McDonough, a partner in Bentz Whaley Flessner philanthropy consultants, said UALR’s total participation in this year’s Campus Campaign, “holds a place of marked distinction.

“Focused on giving from faculty and staff, the percent participation has grown dramatically since the effort’s inception eight years ago,” she said. “Among universities nationally who report such data, the average for faculty and staff giving was 25.86 percent and the median 39.6 percent in 2007, the most recent year available. This year, UALR is poised to achieve its most significant milestone ever – reaching a level of 50 percent.”

With another total expected in the next few weeks, Campus Campaign Chair Cindy Milazzo said the following departments and divisions have already reached 100 percent:

• Construction Management
• Budget Office
• Sequoyah Research Center
• Office of the VC – Education & Student Service
• Community School of the Arts
• Mail Services
• AVC Facilities and Services
• AVC Finance
• Office of the Chancellor
• Office of Recruitment
• Physical Plant – Administration
• Physical Plant – Maintenance
• Physical Plant – Warehouse
• EAST Lab
• Economics & Finance
• Office of Communications
• Office of Development
• Campus Life
• Physical Plant – Engineering
• Physical Plant – Grounds

Current results reflect a considerable increase in commitments when compared to this same time last year.

“Despite challenging economic times, UALR is reaping the benefits of several years of consistent effort, a dedicated and enthusiastic campuswide volunteer team, and a loyal base of generous contributors.” McDonough said. “Having just gone public with its first-ever comprehensive campaign, UALR’s own internal family is setting a high standard for giving to the university.

“The collective support of the university’s faculty and staff is a powerful endorsement to other equally important external stakeholders of all that UALR has come to mean to its region.”