The University committed $526 million to its 434 capital projects last year, 23 percent of which went to the acquisition of the Blackstone power plant and 91 acres of land in Allston.

An additional 45 percent was spent on new construction—the new wing of the Science Center, the Center for Government and International Studies the science and administration building at 60 Oxford St., graduate student housing at One Western Ave. and the New Research Building at the Medical School.

The remaining 32 percent funded renovation of exiting structures: Pforzheimer House, Quad dining halls, graduate student housing at 29 Garden St., Widener Library and Aldrich Hall and Baker Library at the Business School, among them.

Student aid rose 11 percent after a 15 percent increase in FY02, which Berman attributed to greater need in a bad economy coupled with enhancements in the University’s financial aid packages.

—Staff writer Stephen M. Marks can be reached at marks@fas.harvard.edu.