 Media Credit: Nebosja Petrovic Let them eat cake: Campaign VIPS prepare to chow down.
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The kick-off barbeque for Campaign McGill, the university's new fundraiser, took place last Thursday on Lower field as students protested the endeavour based on its private donor targets.
Over the next few years, McGill aims to collect $750-million, which according to Principal Heather Munroe-Blum is "the most ambitious launch goal in the history of Canadian university fundraising."
Development, Alumni and University Relations Senior Liaison Officer Brian Thompson said that the event was meant to raise awareness amongst the McGill community and to recognize the everyday efforts of the faculty, staff and students.
"[The event has] really been more of a celebration for the donors," he said.
According to Marc Weinstein, Assistant Vice-Principal DAUR and Director of the University Campaigns, the campaign launch events cost approximately 0.15 per cent of the total amount that the campaign hopes to raise-or about $1,125,000.
"[The campaign launch] is, in some respects, creating an event to celebrate McGill," Munroe-Blum said.
While the Thursday afternoon event was held for the campus community, a celebratory gala was held last Wednesday night, and in a public launch last Thursday morning, President and CEO of Hydro-Québec Thierry Vandal announced a $10-million donation, to be designated, in part, to the science, engineering and law faculties.
Across the street from the barbeque tent, which was set up specially for the occasion, the Grassroots Association for Student Empowerment denounced the campaign-known as the "Capital Campaign" around campus-as a liability that could lead to privatization of the university. Active GRASPé member Kristen Legault, U1 biology, explained the group's concerns that academic choice may be constrained by fund designation.
"Funding is more prone to go to those faculties with a higher market value or popularity. Private funding replicates already existing divisions within society," she said. "As McGill seeks donations and worries about its brand, autonomous student initiatives get squeezed out. It's clear that there is no place [for such initiatives] in the community McGill envisions."
"As far as corporate donations, the campaign will go after that, because it's through their generosity that the university will be able to continue to do the great work that it is able to do," said McGill Alumni Association President Ann Vroom. "I feel that the Hydro-Québec donation [Thursday] morning was such a wonderful example of corporate philanthropy."
2008 Woodie Awards
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Andrew Work, B.Sc. 94 (Hong Kong)
posted 10/22/07 @ 11:34 PM EST
Man, that has to be the silliest thing I've ever heard. 'Only concerned about the brand?' Newsflash: That's what matters 10, 20, 30 years after you graduate. (Continued…)
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