ACROSS THE RIVER

Looming over the capital campaign is the University’s future expansion into Allston, which it will partly finance through fundraising.

Because Allston development will outlast the campaign, Rapier said Harvard has considered supplementing its effort with fundraising drives targeted specifically for Allston or extending the campaign itself.

While the schedule has not been finalized, Rapier said Harvard’s public phase will probably last the traditional five years.

The University has yet to determine how campaign proceeds will be distributed between Allston’s academic programs and its construction.

“I suspect that the funds for the buildings themselves will not be very prominent, given the length of time required for the physical planning and construction itself,” Rapier said.

STRONG SHOWING

Harvard led U.S. universities in fundraising in 2004, and Rapier said 2005 is shaping out well. Contributions gained so far this year have exceeded funds brought in over the same period last year, she said, “pretty much across the board.”

These gains have been realized despite the uproar following Summers’ controversial January remarks on women in science.

“The reactions [among donors] have been very similar to what you’ve seen here,” Rapier said. “There are strong opinions on all sides of these issues. The one thing we do know is that our fundraising results are up and we’re looking very good for the year.”

—Staff writer Nicholas M. Ciarelli can be reached at ciarelli@fas.harvard.edu.