Billion-dollar campaign still behind in 3 key areas

Though Syracuse University exceeded its overall goal to raise $1 billion dollars three months early, the goals for three of the five categories have not been met.

Donations for the campaign went toward five different categories: student access and support, faculty excellence, cross connections, building futures and annual support. Officials broke down the $1 billion for each category. Only two of the five categories — cross connections and annual support — exceeded their goals. The other three are behind by almost $150 million altogether.

On Thursday, university officials announced that $1,008,612,731 had been raised as of Aug. 31. University officials will continue to raise money and are aiming to raise $1,044,000,000 by Dec. 31 — the original deadline for the campaign — because of the historical significance of the number 44.

Though the university surpassed its initial goal, it is still behind in 60 percent of its initiatives. The new goal is to reach $1,044,000,000, which is only more than $35 million.

Every category benefits students, but student access and support, faculty excellence and building futures are areas that benefit students daily. This money helps create scholarships that allow students to attend this university, helps hire new professors and make new positions, and helps update campus buildings.

For the next three months, university officials must focus and push forward to fulfill their initial goal in the areas that are still lagging behind.