If the academic curriculum is the lifeblood of a college, then the endowment is the heart that keeps it pumping. A strong and healthy heart is vital if a college is to weather fluctuations in enrollments and the economy, keep tuition increases to a minimum and provide long-term support for academic innovation and scholarships. The bottom line is this: the healthier the endowment, the healthier the college.

Simply put, the endowment is a college's savings account. Endowment funds are invested by trustees to produce income, a portion of which is reinvested to keep the fund growing. The remainder -- what we call "spendable" income -- is used to support the annual operating budget of the College. At present, Pitzer's $40-million endowment returns about $2 million (5 percent) in spendable income each year. Pitzer's projected operating budget for 2000-01 is $27 million.

What does this mean? Pitzer must rely on tuition for operating budget support to a greater degree than is desired or prudent. Such reliance could prevent us in the future from accepting the most academically able students because we cannot meet their scholarship needs.

Pitzer's endowment ranks well below its peers in Claremont. More importantly, it ranks below those at Occidental, Whittier, Reed, Whitman and other comparable institutions. That Pitzer has succeeded as well as it has despite limited resources is a tribute to its prudent and imaginative resource management and the generosity of past donors.

But prudent management and current support is not enough. That is why the central goal of The Campaign for Pitzer College is to bolster the College's endowment. In what I see as an auspicious and historic act, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Feb. 7 to set a working goal of $40 million for the campaign. The resolution reads:

"Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of Pitzer College agrees to continue formally The Campaign for Pitzer College, initiated and approved by the Board on November 10, 1997. The Campaign for Pitzer College will have a working goal of $40 million and will position the College to broaden its base of support, engage the board in fund-raising activities, enhance the visibility of the College, and provide for opportunities for leadership development. A public announcement of the Campaign will be made at such time as 50% to 75% of the total Campaign goal is achieved. The resolution shall go into effect February 7, 2000. It shall expire at the end of the fiscal year, 2004."

Of the $40 million to be raised, half -- $20 million -- is to build the endowment. The other half is earmarked for strategic academic initiatives, such as faculty chairs and for student and faculty research, and to renovate or build new residence halls.

To date, we have raised $11.91 million from the following sources: $5.7 million in Major Gifts; $2.4 million in the Annual Fund; and $3.81 million from Foundations. Contributions like these to The Campaign for Pitzer College will yield a stronger and more vital college: an institution that creates leaders who will make a better world in the 21st century. --Marilyn Chapin Massey

Students who wish to apply for Summer Institute of Language and Culture (SILC) merit scholarships are reminded that the priority application deadline is Wednesday, March 1. Students may register for SILC up to May 15, but are reminded to register early since classes fill fast. Classes in Chinese and Spanish will be offered at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Classes in French, Italian and Japanese will be offered at the beginning and intermediate levels. Enrollment isn't just limited to Claremont students: SILC invites Pitzer faculty, staff, and alumni to enroll.

Pitzer's Women's Center is looking for faculty, students and staff to participate in a panel discussion on sexuality (tentatively scheduled for March 2 at 7 p.m.). Personal and academic perspectives are welcome. Deadline is today. If you're interested, please call Terra Slavin at ext. 77449.

Two full-time internships in international education in the Center for Intercultural and Language Education are available for outstanding international graduates of The Claremont Colleges who are eligible for Optional Practical Training. These volunteer internships provide invaluable work experience and training to students interested in pursuing careers in international education. Interns will work 30 to 40 hours per week from June 1, 2000, to May 31, 2001. Application deadline is 5 p.m. on March 8. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to: Keith Hay, Center for Intercultural and Language Education, 110 Scott Hall, Pitzer College.

Want to be a contestant on Fox's new game show, "Greed"? A one-hour, multiple-choice, general-knowledge test will be given at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Rose Hills Theatre, Smith Campus Center, Pomona, and at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the north and south meetings rooms at Malott Commons, Scripps. Pass the test and move on to audition in Fox's Hollywood studio! Students from all the colleges are welcome. FMI, call Sarlo at ext. 74307.

Pitzer's Asian American sponsor program and dean of students office is holding a sale of all unclaimed bikes left on campus during the winter and summer breaks. The bike sale takes place March 24 from noon to 5 p.m. in the Holden parking lot. Students have until March 10 to claim their bikes at the facilities office. For more information, call Kent Lee at ext. 76118.

The Student AIDS Awareness Committee is bringing the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to Claremont April 8 to 10. If you have a family member, friend or loved one memorialized in a quilt panel, let Health Education Outreach know by Feb. 20 and they will submit a request for those panels. Please include the name on the panel, the panel number (if you know it) and your name, address and extension in your request. For details, contact Health Education Outreach at ext. 73602.

Monsour Counseling Center offers six regular group counseling sessions this spring: Sexual Assault Group, facilitated by Sean Hayes, Psy.D., and Rubeena Kidwai, M.A., meets Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m.; Depression Group, facilitated by Tracey Shepherd, Ph.D., meets Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. starting Feb. 15; Making Peace with Food and Your Body, facilitated by Cindy Martinez, Ph.D., meets Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. starting Feb. 16; Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Noontime Support, facilitated by Art Bowler, Psy.D., meets Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. starting Feb. 9; Graduate Students Support Group, facilitated by Gary DeGroot, Ph.D., meets Thursdays from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and Brain Power, facilitated by Larry Allison, Ph.D., meetings Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. All groups meet at Monsour Counseling Center except the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual noontime group, which meets at Pomona's Smith Campus Center. For information about these groups, call (909) 621-8202 (and ask for the facilitator of the group that interests you).