The United Engineering Center: A job to be completed

The United Engineering Center (UEC), at the United Nations Plaza in New York, USA, serves as the headquarters of IEEE and of 20 other engineering societies and joint engineering bodies. First occupied in 1961, this imposing and useful structure was built through the contributions of engineers and industry. The funds initially raised were not sufficient to meet the full cost of construction, leaving a net deficit of US$560,000. In addition, the Trustees have found it necessary to authorize the installation of a fifth elevator, and to complete the unfinished 15th and 16th floors, at an additional cost of $340,000. To raise this sum of $900,000, which will complete the Center and leave it free of debt, the Trustees have announced a fund-raising campaign. The Ford Foundation after a thorough investigation of the merits of this effort, has most generously agreed to contribute one dollar to the fund for each two dollars raised within two years, to a maximum of $300,000. The remaining $600,000 is to be raised in a campaign headed by Dr. Mervin J. Kelly, under whose leadership $5 million was raised in the initial campaign. The Trustees urge members of IEEE, and of the other societies, to support this fund-raising effort.