At the start of the campaign, contributionsdoubled from about $6 million in fiscal year 1992to about $11 million in 1993, but then generallyremained level for the next four years. In 1995the college collected $11.1 million from graduatesand $9.5 million in 1997.

After five years, Radcliffe had only raisedabout half of its goal, and campaigns generallypeter out in their final stretch.

The beginning years of the capital campaignhelped encourage giving to the college but did notput funds into Radcliffe's coffers as quickly asadministrators had projected.

Now, the college still appears to be behindschedule. In the two remaining years, Radcliffeneeds to break this year's record by $1 millioneach year to achieve its goal.

"We expect the last several years of thecampaign to really outdo the first years," Dunnsays. "It takes time to cultivate people and makethem feel connected."

Dunn says she has complete confidence thatRadcliffe will raise its $100 million.

But Radcliffe has historically had problemsraising money.

Prior to the current capital campaign,Radcliffe was never immensely successful atfundraising because it "wasn't a priority" for thecollege, says Director of Development Martha AnnFuller.

Dunn says she aimed to change Radcliffe'sapproach to fundraising when she came to Radcliffein 1992.

"One of the goals that I had when I came in wasa review of our campaign strategy," she says.

Radcliffe administrators say they have madefundraising a priority in the last few years, andtheir work is beginning to pay off.

"Before the campaign, fundraising was not usedas a way to communicate the work of Radcliffe in asophisticated fashion," Fuller says. "It isn'tthat Radcliffe didn't have a good fundraisingprogram, but it was primarily oriented around theannual fund."

What Next?

Now, as Harvard and Radcliffe administratorsmeet to craft an agreement, they are consideringthe extent to which Radcliffe will--and must--bedependent on Harvard financially.

Radcliffe's operating budget for last year was$22 million--without any financial support fromHarvard.