The I Declare campaign raised $205 million so far, as announced at the kickoff event this past Thursday.
Vice President of Public Relations Andrea Taylor said that around 300 faculty and students were in attendance at the kickoff to raise money through donations for a student emergency fund at the fundraiser kickoff in the University Bookstore at Cal State Long Beach.
“I was thrilled to see there was so many students here learning about the campaign [and] that we had a good mix of faculty and staff here,” Taylor said.
She said some of the money raised at the kickoff will go into an account to distribute money to students who are in need, known as a student emergency fund.
“If something happens to you, you get into a car accident, you need some help with your medical bills… we would be able to provide a grant to you,” Taylor said.
Taylor also said the event aimed to promote participation for the larger university campaign known as I Declare, which seeks to raise money for academic initiatives, student support and partnerships in the community. I Declare is a campaign with the purpose of raising money for transforming the learning environment on campus, increasing success of students, and securing funding for partnerships, according to the I Declare website.
The kickoff event included a raffle and food. Attendees of age could have unlimited free beer with the purchase of a $10 I Declare glass.
Taylor, Chair of Academic Senate Dan O’ Conner and Associate Vice President for Student Services Nancy Eckhous spoke at the event.
“I think the students are just learning about the campaign, and what we really want to convey is this is a campaign for them,” Taylor said. “This is a campaign to improve their academic experiences…it’s really all about the students.”
Ruben Peterson, a junior biomedical engineer student, said his major is not accredited because it doesn’t have enough students in it to be accredited and that he hopes I Declare will provide students with scholarships for the biomedical major.
“My major right now isn’t accredited, and I’m hoping that something like [I Declare] can help that,” Peterson said.
I Declare is a comprehensive campaign, meaning the funds raised can be donated to any area related to CSULB, from the math department to studying abroad.
Executive Director of Annual and Special Giving University Relations and Development Adam Goduto said that when someone donates to I Declare, they can choose where they want the money to go, such as to a certain department, program or college.
President Jane Close Conoley said in an email on Oct. 16 that the goal was to raise $225 million for I Declare by Dec. 31.