Development/fund raising

Syracuse claims that almost 400 of its students are at risk of not returning for the spring semester unless it can raise $2 million by the end of January.

Given the level of vitriol that marked the six-year legal battle between Princeton University and the relatives of a former donor, it's hardly surprising that Wednesday's settlement to bring the lawsuit to a close was not, as some such accords are, of the "Can't we all just get along?" group hug variety.

WASHINGTON -- The panelists were to consider four questions. To summarize the first three: To what extent has Jewish philanthropy shaped the growth and content of Jewish studies as a field; have such external influences changed over the years; and does Jewish studies stand out, apart from the sciences, for its dependence on outside cash? To quote the moderator, Steven J. Zipperstein of Stanford University, on the fourth, “When is money too expensive to accept?”

Donations to colleges and universities rose significantly in 2008 fiscal year, but decline widely expected going forward.

Roger Williams U. president's son given fund-raising job, even though he didn't meet advertised minimum qualifications. Should colleges hire presidential offspring?

Now that people realize an anonymous benefactor is sending millions to universities led by women, some donations from last year appear linked.

With even wealthy individuals feeling the downturn, development officers are making more accommodations, such as allowing more time to fulfill pledges.

Decline is steepest in history of survey by Council for Aid to Education. Alumni giving rate drops to all-time low of 10%.

When Robert Zimmer separated from his wife and disclosed to trustees that he was romantically involved with a faculty member, the University of Chicago president gave rise to a host of thorny issues. How will conflicts of interest be resolved? How long will Zimmer’s estranged wife remain in the presidential residence, where official university functions are still taking place? And, more broadly, how might Zimmer’s own credibility be affected by his decision to date a professor on the campus?

In a move called "unprecedented" in its state, the University of South Carolina held a competition to design a major new business school building -- and let the donor select the winner, without telling the other firms spending considerable time and money on their proposals that they wouldn't have a shot at winning, The State reported.