On March 4, the University of Texas at Austin publicly launched its “What Starts Here” campaign, which aims to be the “largest philanthropic campaign in the history of Texas higher education,” said UT Austin. The university strives to become a national leader in the healthcare industry and provide students with scholarship and honors opportunities.
For UT Austin, the campaign will connect the university with the private sector, offering expanded learning for students and opportunities for mentoring and entrepreneurship.
A goal this ambitious requires a large sum of money, and to state that UT’s fundraising goal is massive would be an understatement. By 2025, the UT system aims to raise a staggering $6 billion, with $1 billion allocated for student scholarships and support programs.
Scott Rabenold, Vice President for UT’s development department, told the Statesman, “We change the world. We drive better outcomes. We need better health outcomes in this state, and I’m confident because of this campaign and because of the direction of the medical enterprise at UT-Austin, we will see those better health outcomes, both in Central Texas and in our state.”
Organizers of the fundraising movement strongly believe that a solid public university will shape the surrounding areas for the better and help the university become the center point of innovation.
With the funds, the University of Texas will become the “world’s most impactful public research university,” UT President Jay Hartzell said.
The UT System has become more reliant on private funding as years have passed. From 1990-1991, 34% of UT Austin’s $696 million budget came from the state government. UT Austin’s budget today totals over $3.3 billion, yet only receives 10% of its funding from the government.
Office-holders such as Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dade Phelan are supporters of the UT Austin fund, the Statesman reported.
In 2014, UT’s “Campaign for Texas” surpassed its fundraising goal by $115 million. Much of that money went to renovating the campus, adding more student scholarships, and supporting staff. UT hopes that the next “What Starts Here” campaign will see similar success.