University of Oxford
North American Office
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Greetings from Oxfords office in New York!
While Michaelmas Term is always a busy and exciting time
in Oxford, this autumn was especially eventful as our new
Vice-Chancellor was installed on 6 October. Along with the
Chairman of Americans for Oxford, Mr. Paul Dodyk, I
represented the North American Office at this wonderful
occasion. As is often the case at Oxford, the setting was
inspirational. A special platform was built upon the floor of
Wrens architectural masterpiece, the Sheldonian Theatre,
facing the sweeping rows of benches occupied by the dons,
members of the University leadership, and guests. The day
began with the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Dr. John Hood,
delivering his final Annual Oration. I would be remiss if I
did not take this opportunity to again thank Dr. Hood for the
unwavering and enthusiastic support he provided the
Universitys fundraising and alumni relations activities in
North America. In recognition of Dr. Hoods service to the
University, the Board of Directors of Americans for Oxford
commissioned a portrait of him that will be hung in the newly
renovated New Bodleian Library (soon to be renamed the
Weston Library). The revitalization of this Library is
symbolic of Dr. Hoods impact on the University and
represents just one of his many accomplishments while
serving as Vice-Chancellor.
At this point, our new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew
Hamilton, stepped forward and took the oath of office, taking
possession of an ancient set of keys
(which once opened the University
treasury) and holding the University
Statutes. Professor Hamilton then
delivered a stirring speech,
highlighting all that Oxford has
accomplished in recent years, the
challenges and opportunities that it
will face in the years ahead, while
inviting the entire Oxford community
to work together on behalf of this
great University.
As my colleagues and I travel around North America, we
are often asked, What can I do to help? Sometimes, I
detect an implied second part to this question, namely
besides writing a check, a sentiment I completely by the Chairman of the Campaign, Dame Vivien Duffield,
understand. For while the University and its Colleges need
and welcome your financial support, your relationship to
Michaelmas Term 2009 Newsletter
Oxford would be rather limited if it consisted solely of your
being asked for money. So what else?
As a starting point, I should like to draw your attention to the
item on Page 2 highlighting the establishment of the Oxford
Recruiting Team. By encouraging the best and brightest
students to apply to Oxford, you provide a great service to the
University and, potentially, have a significant impact on the life
of a promising young scholar. More broadly, my colleagues
and I invite you to attend Oxford alumni gatherings in your
area, to contribute ideas for events, and to spend time on the
Universitys excellent web site (www.oxford.edu), which is
updated every day with news from Oxford. For a truly
memorable and fulfilling experience, you may wish to consider
taking a part-time course at Oxford this summer through the
Department for Continuing Education (www.conted.ox.ac.uk).
In sum, we invite you to stay connected to your University.
In closing, I should like to take this opportunity to wish you and
your loved ones a joyous holiday season with peace, good
health, and much happiness throughout 2010!
Best regards,
Michael G. Cunningham, FRSA
Director, University of Oxford North American Office
OXFORD THINKING CAMPAIGN UPDATE
In his departing Vice-Chancellors Oration in October, Dr. John
Hood announced that The Campaign for the University of
Oxford has raised a total of 770 million to date. The sum
represents nearly 62% of the targeted 1.25 billion goal. In
2009, the Campaign has raised over 111 million thus far.
The Ashmolean Museum completed its 61 million
redevelopment in November 2009, with funds largely raised
during the Campaign. A key University priority, the
completion is not only a significant Campaign fundraising
milestone, but a testament to the generosity of individuals and
organizations. Still though, the Museum is looking to raise an
additional 16.3 million to cover the project costs.
The University also announced a donation of 5.1 million made
Continued on Page 4
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 Support the Future of Oxford
With No Cost To You Today.
Yes. Its Possible and Its Easy To Do.
By including the University of Oxford and/or your College in
your estate or retirement plans, you can help ensure that
generations of students enjoy the unique benefits of an Oxford
education. Best of all, estate and retirement gifts do not impact
your current financial situation and can often be larger than gifts
made during your lifetime.
Why Make a Bequest ?
Your assets are completely under your control and remain
untouched for your lifetime.
You can modify your estate plans to reflect changes in your
personal and family circumstances.
You can designate the entirety (or a stated percentage) of
your estate after taxes and other beneficiaries have received
a specific amount, or you can allocate a specific amount to
Oxford.
Your gift can be restricted to a specific program or interest
at the University or College, or your gift can be made
without restriction so that the University/College can use the
funds where they are most needed.
All bequests are exempt from federal estate tax, and
retirement plan assets allow you to give more at
significantly less after-tax cost to your other beneficiaries.
In fact, bequests made through IRAs, 401(k)s, and/or
403(b)s are not subject to multiple tax consequences which
may include federal and state income tax and state death
taxes (where applicable).
Heres the Easy Part
Include the University of Oxford or your College in your
will or trust. Wed be happy to provide suggested language
for you to share with your attorney in order to ensure that
your wishes are met.
Name the University or College as beneficiary in your life
insurance policy or retirement account.
Notify us of your estate/retirement plans so that we can
acknowledge your gift and ensure that your intentions are
properly understood. Of course, all gifts are completely
confidential and you may wish to remain anonymous.
For more information please visit
www.oxford.planyourlegacy.org.
If you have questions or wish to
receive suggested bequest
language, please contact
David Stiles,
Director of Planned Giving,
at (212) 377-4907 or email
dstiles@oxfordna.org. JamesWhitaker
Student Recruitment Team
In 2009-2010, Oxford
plans to increase its efforts
in attracting international
students from North
America by ramping up
its student recruitment
presence in the United
States. This initiative will
be led by Gareth Duxbury,
Student Recruitment
Officer, with the
cooperation of the North
American Office. With a
focus on states in the
northeast, the Student
Recruitment Team is already planning a series of
presentations and outreach for alumni parents, high school
students and school counselors. These presentations will
promote the benefits of higher education in the UK, and
more specifically, the distinctive form of undergraduate
education offered at Oxford. They will also aim to give
detailed information on Oxfords application and interview
process, with an emphasis on the differences as compared
to the US system.
The Student Recruitment Team has also penciled in visits
to New York City college fairs. Paul Teulon, Head of
Student Recruitment, has already made inroads at several
New York City schools after attending a series of events in
2009 at high achieving schools in New York City,
including The Chapin School, The Dalton School, United
Nations International School and Stuyvesant High School.
In 2010, an Oxford delegation will be making the trip to
the Overseas Association for College Admissions
Counseling (OACAC) Conference at Northeastern
University in Boston, Massachusetts. After a successful
trip to the 2009 event in California, Oxford will be
returning to the Conference, which attracts admissions and
guidance counselors from across the world. Paul Teulon
has already been asked to repeat his warmly received 2009
session entitled Supporting Students in Their
Applications to Oxford.
The Student Recruitment Team runs events all around the
world, with presentations tailored to different audiences,
informing potential students about what they need to
know. To find out more or to arrange a visit, contact Paul
Teulon at liaison@admin.ox.ac.uk.
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 Visit www.oxfordna.org for more information

With the support of the Admissions Office in Oxford, a number

Oxford Needs You! of branches work for Oxford by encouraging the best students
from their area to apply to the University. Some hold mock
interviews. Others provide locations for skyped admissions
interviews.
With 180,000
Oxonians spread In the past two years, we have been developing a new initiative.
across the world, Alumni have helped to find businesses to employ current
there are almost students as summer interns, thereby giving them valuable
as many ways to experience on job placements. Other alumni join the Oxford
make yourself Careers Network, in which they support current students and
useful to your other alumni with inside information about possible career
fellow alumni paths.
and to your
University as You can find out more about any of these ideas on the Alumni
there are Office website at www.alumni.ox.ac.uk.
JamesWhitaker
locations in
which to do it. Branches of the Oxford University Society We look forward to hearing from you,
are raising money for bursaries for students from their
regions, as is done in West Sussex and East Kent, or, if they
are more ambitious, raising money for scholarships, as has
been done in Kenya for many years. Other branches, like
Northern California, hold send-off parties for freshers from Nancy Kenny
their area, or welcome current students back for Christmas Secretary, The Oxford University Society
parties, or, as is done in Korea, help students to settle back in Director of Alumni Relations
their country after their Oxford course.

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Michaelmas Term 2009 Newsletter

CAMPAIGN UPDATE (continued from Page 1)
which will be divided between Lady Margaret Hall,
graduate scholarships in the Humanities, the Oxford
Institute of Ageing, the University Church of St. Mary
the Virgin and the Ashmolean Museum.
The James Martin 21st Century School Challenge has also
reached its halfway mark. While the $50 million
Challenge has created great enthusiasm for the School,
62% of the Challenges funds await matching applications.
With approximately 480 million left to reach the Campaign
target, the University now looks to further increase its
collaboration with the Colleges in seeking support for combined
priorities. The University, with cooperation from the Colleges,
has also enlisted the help of students to reach out to Old
Members, reconnecting them with Oxford with the hope of
increasing Alumni participation.

While the Campaign has seen a significant number of gifts

come in for academic programs and capital projects, much
work needs to be done in the area of student support. From
Humanities to Medical Sciences, MPLS to Social Sciences,
graduate scholarships remain high on the Campaign
priority list, but has comprised only 6% of the Campaign
income to date. To ensure that talented graduate students
receive continued support at Oxford, the University has
embarked on a new student funding initiative, revamping
fundraising efforts in this crucial area.