Media Advisory: UCSF Announces $100 Million Education Fundraising Initiative to Offset State Cuts

WHAT: UCSF Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, MPH, will introduce a four-year, $100 million education fundraising initiative during a commencement address on April 24. This campuswide goal includes $80 million in new scholarships and fellowships, and $20 million in support of curriculum innovation, interprofessional education, and teaching facilities.

This is the first initiative of its kind at UCSF and will ensure the University continues to attract the best, brightest, and most diverse students, regardless of their financial circumstances. Desmond-Hellmann launched the initiative with a $1 million gift for scholarships and the donation has been matched by four alumni gifts. Other members of UCSF leadership have also contributed to the effort.

The commencement address will also outline UCSF’s commitment to excellence in education and feature highlights and accomplishments of the 2012 graduating class.

WHEN:

Tuesday, April 24, 2012
12 to 1 p.m.

WHERE:

UCSF School of Nursing, room N 225, UCSF Parnassus campus
2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94143

WHY: As a public institution, UCSF is committed to educational access and affordability. Given the realities of declining state funding and the high cost of professional medical education, UCSF must secure private support in order to achieve its public mission.

UCSF is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It educates approximately 3,000 in its schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy and its Graduate Division. Although 70 percent of students receive financial aid, the average debt load for a medical school student at graduation is $106,000.

Directions from Parnassus Avenue:  Enter UCSF through the Medical Sciences building at 513 Parnassus Avenue. Climb the main stairs and enter Saunders Court. Cross the courtyard and enter the School of Nursing building. The N 225 lecture hall is located on the left.