2007 Annual report (PDF 8.1 Mb) - University of Melbourne

BINDING THE
stRANDS TOGETHER
Refurbishment and New Facilities
Works totalling $84.7 million are underway,
including:
> A $7.5 million infrastructure upgrade of
the Medical School building is scheduled
for completion in mid 2008. The project
involves upgrading mechanical and
electrical services to meet current and
expected future demand.
> The $1.4 million refurbishment of two
existing McFadden Laboratories in Old
Botany building is now completed. The
refurbished facility has additional AQIS
(quarantine) accreditation. Additional
works included a comprehensive
mechanical services upgrade, with a new
disabled persons lift providing access
from the ground to the first floor.
> Works commenced in mid 2007 to the
Microbiology and Immunology building
to upgrade existing laboratories and to
accommodate a new Federation Fellow
Recipient. Project cost: $2 million.
> Works commenced to the Chemistry
building to provide new first-year
laboratories, teaching facilities and total
infrastructure upgrade to the entire
building at a cost of $7.3 million.
VCA
In 2007, responsibility for the management
of the facilities for the Victorian College of
the Arts (VCA) transferred to the University.
All maintenance contracts and eight VCA
Property and Buildings staff transitioned
smoothly to the University. A Building
Renewal Program for the VCA site was
established from 2007 (initially $2 million)
and works have commenced on several
elements of this program. Together with
a $200,000 grant from Melbourne Water,
Stage 1 Landscaping works along St Kilda
Boulevard improved the appearance of the
College and the design incorporated a rain
garden for local retention of drainage water
as part of an initiative to clean up the lower
section of the Yarra River.
Advancement and
Alumni Relations
The University’s endowment and the
generosity of its community in giving is
significant by Australian standards, but
nonetheless remains small compared to
leading international universities. Greater
investment in alumni relations and the
diversification of the University’s funding
sources through advancement are thus
critical to the success of the Growing
Esteem Strategy.
Diversify funding
sources and increase
funds raised through
advancement activities
Donations
Strategic Priorities
> Ensure 60 per cent retention into 2007 of
new 2006 participants in annual giving to
the University Fund
> Initiate a major gifts program for a Future
Generations Scholarships Fund
> Develop a financial goal and structure for
a Campaign for Melbourne fundraising
initiative
Achievements
A number of fundraising specialists
recruited during the year in the
Advancement Office and the faculties
have achieved a rapid increase in interest
in significant fundraising across the
University. An Advancement Policy and
Procedures Manual was adopted to govern
the fast expanding internal enthusiasm for
philanthropy. The amount of ‘hard cash’
gifts received (excluding realised bequests)
increased to $9.02 million, 44 per cent
higher than in 2006. An inaugural Report
to Donors was released in March, aimed at
increasing the University’s accountability to
its supporters.
The University Fund Appeal, reconstructed
in 2006, continued to expand reaching a
total of $795,800 (21 per cent more than
last year). The number of donors grew
significantly to 2700. The Chancellor’s
Circle reward program for donors of
greater than $1000 in the University Fund
expanded beyond 800 members, more
than double those in 2006.
Membership of the Heritage Society,
the recognition program for those who
have pledged a bequest to the University
through a will, expanded to 185, while
realised bequests received during the year
exceeded $1 million.
A major focus for the year was the
development of a campaign to raise funds
toward the University’s Future Generation
program. A Future Generation Scholarships
Trust fund was established with donations
of over $220,000, and fundraising material
prepared for use with major donor prospects.
Submissions in excess of $1 million each
were made to six major philanthropic
foundations in Australian and abroad. As a
result, $2.5 million for an endowed Chair
in Biophysics was received from the Baker
Foundation; many other major gifts will
be acknowledged in the 2007 Report to
Donors, due for release in March 2008.
Based on the recommendations of a
feasibility study for a major fundraising effort
conducted by non-profit consultants DVA
Navion campaign in May, the stewardship
program for major donors, begun in 2006,
was extended until December 2008. In
consultation with Deans, a campaign
catalogue for a campus-wide Campaign
for Melbourne was constructed, focussing
on endowed scholarships, new Chairs and
infrastructure. A financial goal and timetable
for the launch of the major campaign in 2009
were developed.
“Development programs have assisted
academic and professional staff
to manage change”.
Ms Liz Baré
Vice-Principal and Head University Services
The University of Melbourne Annual Report 2007 63