Cornell President Hunter R. Rawlings today (Oct. 8, 1999) announced that the university has received a $100 million pledge -- only the second of this magnitude in Cornell's history -- from a friend who wishes to remain private.

"This extraordinary commitment will play a major role in our goal to make Cornell the best research university for undergraduate education in the world," said Rawlings.

The new pledge represents approximately one-half of the estimated cost to transform Cornell's West Campus into a new, comprehensive living-learning community for sophomores and upper division students.

Rawlings has made the strengthening of undergraduate education in a research university context a hallmark of his administration. Over the past two years, Rawlings has embarked on an ambitious program that will result in the planned investment of $500 million in undergraduate programs, facilities and financial aid.

Speaking to the members of the Cornell Board of Trustees and more than 400 members of the Cornell University Council gathered in the Alice Statler Auditorium on campus for their annual joint meeting, Rawlings also reported that the university had raised $136 million toward its $150 million Scholarship Challenge Campaign goal. He expressed confidence that the university would meet the Dec. 31 target date set for the goal and thereby claim an additional $50 million in challenge funds, for a $200 million total.

"The success we have had so far in the Scholarship Challenge Campaign will enable Cornell to meet its historical commitment to educate undergraduate students without regard to financial need. Our success in this campaign will allow us to maintain Cornell's need-blind admissions and need-based financial aid policies well into the next century, without compromising our ability to invest in faculty and academic programs and to keep tuition increases in check," Rawlings added.

Rawlings noted that substantial progress has already been made on the previously announced plans to provide a living-learning experience for all entering freshmen on North Campus by 2001. Two new residence halls and a new community commons have received design approval from the board of trustees, and detailed discussions with the city and town of Ithaca governmental agencies continue as part of the local approval process. Financing is already in place for the anticipated cost of these new facilities at $65 million.

Also on North Campus, the complete renovation of the Robert Purcell Community Center was completed this summer, at a cost of $12.5 million. The center's new dining facility, the Marketplace Eatery, recently was cited as the "best of show" among on-site dining operations in the United States by the industry's magazine, Food Management.

Funds from the new $100 million pledge will be utilized in the next stage of the living-learning program to transform the West Campus into a series of residential houses for sophomores and upper division students. A committee led by Isaac Kramnick, the Richard J. Schwartz Professor of Government and chair of the government department, is now developing detailed academic and social program plans for West Campus. The university plans to raise a total of $200 million in support of the West Campus transformation and related programs.

The undergraduate experience throughout the university will be the subject of a comprehensive review during the year ahead as part of the forthcoming decennial Middle States reaccreditation process that concludes in 2001. This review, which is just getting under way with leadership from Cornell Vice Provost Mary J. Sansalone, will look broadly at all elements of the curriculum, advising and the living-learning environment. Special priority will be given to enhanced student-faculty interactions in a variety of settings.

The largest previous gift to Cornell was the $100 million pledge in 1998 from Sanford and Joan Weill in support of the strategic plan of the Weill Medical College.