Dartmouth fund-raiser has $1.3b goal

Dartmouth College has announced its largest fund-raising drive ever, with the goal of raising $1.3 billion for new dorms, classrooms, an expanded fitness center, a dining hall, financial aid and a soccer facility.

It’s called the Campaign for the Dartmouth Experience. The Hanover-based school said more than a third of the goal — $458 million — already is pledged.

“This campaign will help keep a Dartmouth education accessible to students from all backgrounds,” said President James Wright.

Dartmouth said it will direct the proceeds into four key areas: academics, $736 million; residential and campus life, $187 million; financial aid, $146 million; and “support for the student experience,” $244 million.

Spending priorities were set through a process that produced a campus plan Wright presented in 2002.