The “EI&U” capital campaign has continued to grow and gain support as it comes closer to its goal of $50 million.

Thus far, the campaign has raised $42.7 million, 84 percent of the total campaign goal, said Karla Evans, executive director of philanthropy.

The campaign was officially launched on Oct. 22 of last year.

The capital campaign had a general goal of reaching the $50 million mark by three years from Oct. 22, 2011 said Bob Martin, the vice president for university advancement, in the Jan. 26 issue of The Daily Eastern News.

Evans said there is no set end date, the campaign wont end until everyone has been invited to participate in the campaign.

“We’ve been so grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support,” Evans said.

The $50 million goal is not the amount that the university will have in cash, but what amount is achieved from pledges and planned gifts. This can also include a bequest in someone’s will to pledge money to the university,

After the goal has been reached the money will be spilt into four very specific areas, Evans said.

“The money will go to student support, capital improvement, faculty support and program support,” Evans said.

The campaign website goes in depth to explain what each area specifically supports.

The money going to the student support area will help to create new scholarships for full and part time students. The goal is to help reduce financial burden.

The capital improvement funds will help Eastern progress through the 21st century.

Some of the proposed ideas for this fund are a new science center, including state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, a Lantz Arena Gateway and a grand Courtyard space to create additional greenery across campus.

These locations could also serve as gathering places for students and faculty, while commemorating individuals with ties to the university.

The faculty support funding will help support faculty research, creative projects and service activities.

The program support funds will go towards some of the propose development centers focusing on specific subjects, such as autism, ethics, financial health or humanities.

The money would also go towards helping existing programs like women in math and sciences, Eastern reads and bringing the arts to East Central Illinois.

“(The campaign) is doing better then we hoped,” Evans said.

Kaylia Eskew can be reached at 581-2812 or kbeskew@eiu.edu