The MSU fundraising effort to raise $1.2 billion for the university before 2007 has surpassed the billion-dollar mark, university officials are expected to announce today.

The Campaign for MSU, which began in 2000, seeks to raise gift support for research and teaching, support for students, scholarships, new facilities and building renovations, maintaining programs and faculty recruitment.

MSU Board of Trustees Chairman David Porteous and MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will speak about the campaign's update at 10 a.m. today in the third floor conference room in the International Center.

MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said the campaign is nearing its set goal but is far from over.

"This isn't a completion of the campaign," Denbow said. "We thought it was important to share the good news and to indicate the momentum that does exist at MSU."

Although MSU's endowment has grown significantly over the last 20 years, it still lags behind other Big Ten universities. Therefore, approximately one-third of the funds raised will be for endowment, a critical element in building and maintaining MSU's areas of distinction in the future.

MSU expects to increase its endowment funds to ensure long-term strength. Additional funds will support global education programs and campus beautification.

This is MSU's second comprehensive capital campaign. The first capital campaign - MSU 2000: Access to Opportunity - was announced in May 1988 and sought to raise $160 million over five years. The campaign actually raised $218 million.