For Harvard's 300th birthday, alumni raised and presented a magnanimous gift of $5.5 million. Fifty years later, University administrators say, Harvard is neither soliciting nor expecting any donations from the guests at its anniversary party, which will cost the University $1 million.

Visiting alumni say they are enjoying the fundraising-free atmosphere, and that the events they attend this week will likely inspire them to make donations in the near future.

"By decree from the governing boards, no fundraising will be connected with the celebration," says Thomas W. "Steve" Stephenson '37, general secretary of the birthday bash.

"If you throw a birthday party, you like to get presents but you don't charge money," says Financial Vice President Thomas O'Brien. "Our intent is to have a nice birthday party."

University officials emphatically stress the dearth of money-grubbing during the event.

"The president has been firm on this. There will be no fundraising going on, overtly or covertly," says Thomas M. Reardon, director of University development. "If someone arrived with a check it would be a big surprise."

"To raise money at [the 350th] is not the most effective in the long run," says O'Brien. "The worst mistake is simply to get people to give money to get rid of them."

To spark alumni enthusiasm for University programs and to "show them the difference their support makes" is the most effective way to raise money, says O'Brien. "It's like the difference between sex and love."

Sharing The Wealth

Harvard's generosity, rather than alumni's, will be the 350th's driving force, say financial officials. "The University is always looking to try to take assets we have and share them with the world," says Treasurer Roderick MacDougall. "To think the 350th is a "scheme" for money is "just ridiculous."

"I'm not going to go around and point out buildings and cornerstones," says Henry G. Van der Eb '42, chairman of the Harvard College Fund. "I'm going to be enjoying myself."

Accordingly, the staff of the University Development Office, Harvard's central money-raising organization, has been cut off from virtually all of the planning for the 350th, says Reardon.

"Our mission is to help with fundraising, but we have absolutely no intention to exploit [the 350th]," says Reardon.

Despite the fundraising ban, though, some University arts organizations will sponsor events to raise money on their own, says Fred L. Glimp '50, vice president for alumni affairs. Harvard museums will sponsor "black tie affairs" for their supporters, Glimp says.

Money will also flow when the party-goers pay for their tickets to 350th events, such as the grand finale at The Stadium. Some Crimson elite were designated by Harvard to bankroll the fireworks-filled gala by paying $175 for their tickets (all but $25 is tax deductible), compared to the $25 and $10 charges for other guests. "Some people can afford high costs," says Reardon.