Dear Friends,

From our earliest days, the University of Michigan has been sustained by both public support and philanthropy. Each is critical to our mission.

Last week we launched the Victors for Michigan campaign. It is our most ambitious fundraising effort in our history and will have a direct impact on
U-M’s future. The goal of $4 billion is extraordinary because the University has extraordinary aspirations.

In addition to our fundraising, there remains a critical need for state support. Over the past several years, we have relied heavily on internal reallocation and cost containment to lessen the impact of reduced state support. Our costs keep rising, the national faculty environment remains fiercely competitive, the needs of our student body continue to grow, and we must ensure that qualified students of all economic backgrounds are able to attend the university.

We are proud of our compact with society, and believe deeply in working for the public good because of the longtime public investment in higher education. We are equally grateful to our alumni and donors for private support. These bonds of support are essential to our momentum and impact as one of the world’s great public universities.

We ask that you join us in advocating for additional state support in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Mary Sue Coleman
President