To the Tribune Editorial Board:

I want to correct some inaccurate information that appeared in the Feb. 7 edition of The Marquette Tribune, specifically in the editorial of that date.

The $200 million for new construction cited in University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild's Presidential Address will be new money specifically raised for those building projects. It will not be taken from the existing endowment, nor could it be. Endowment monies are donated to the university for the explicit purpose of guaranteeing its long-term viability and excellence. A university does not spend its endowment, but, rather, draws revenue from the investment of that fund. The revenue is then used to support such initiatives as student scholarships and faculty support.

The size of a school's endowment is a critical indicator in distinguishing greatness in higher education. Marquette's present endowment is $286 million. Compare that with Notre Dame, which in 2005 had an endowment of $3.6 billion. What difference does that make? Simply put, a larger endowment earns more money in interest and investment revenue. Accruing 5 percent interest on its endowment annually would provide Marquette with $14.3 million for additional research, scholarships and programs, whereas, using the same 5 percent accrual, Notre Dame would have $180 million to do the same. An endowment helps reduce reliance on tuition by providing additional revenue sources. A focus on endowment is, in fact, exactly the "fiscally responsible" approach that your editorial suggests is needed.

Additionally, please recognize that such a fund-raising campaign is not a one-year activity, as your editorial suggested. The Magis campaign was a seven-year initiative, and we are planning a similar time frame for the next campaign. Support of the university from alumni and other friends has never been stronger, which is one reason why we can set ambitious goals.

One of the key priorities of the next campaign will be to increase the university's endowment. As Fr. Wild said in his Presidential Address, "Not all of it will go for endowment purposes, but most of it will be sought for that purpose, that is, for scholarships for our students, for faculty chairs, for funds to support the research and teaching of our faculty and for the support for a variety of other activities of the university, everything from athletics to university ministry."

The $200 million for construction costs will be another goal for the next campaign, but it is separate from the effort to raise endowment funds.

I want to clarify one other statement in your editorial. Most of the money contributed in the Magis Campaign was not raised "through Internet, mail and telemarketing." In fact, 95 percent of the funds came from 5 percent of the donors. More than 20,000 donors gave to Marquette for the first time. The personal contacts we make with donors are critical in meeting our fund-raising goals, and we value the contributions of each donor. We will again identify and seek out new donors for the next campaign.

I would be happy to meet with members of the Tribune editorial board to help you better understand the role endowments play at a university and how a fund-raising campaign works and think it would be helpful if such conversations occurred before you write editorials. I am confident that with a full understanding of these issues you would see that the aspirations we all share for Marquette University are attainable within a long-term fiscal and fund-raising plan. As a university, we are called to provide a transformational education for our students, and we must strive for excellence in pursuing the financial resources necessary to do so.