Dr. Phil Schubert unveiled ACU’s Partnering in the Journey Campaign, a $50 million effort to equip ACU students with a more affordable education, at the President’s Circle Dinner Saturday night.

“We want to bridge the gap between cost and higher education,” Schubert said. “We are trying to promote affordability and help students and families to be able to afford higher education.”

Lead donors had already committed $15.5 million to the campaign before it was unveiled.

“I expect to hear broad and significant support,” Schubert said. “We don’t want cost to be the reason that someone does not get to attend ACU.”

Schubert and other members of the Senior Leadership Team worked together to put the fund-raising plan into motion, Schubert said.

“We talked about it and tried to assess the likely level of donor support,” Schubert said. “We tried to establish a goal that was reasonable and fundable.”

The university administration hopes to have the full $50 million in place sooner rather than later through donations by alumni or others interested, he said.

“I’d like to think in 18-24 months we will have secured the entire amount,” Schubert said. “Having one-third in hand is going to help us tremendously.”

Just last semester, the university announced plans to implement block tuition beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year.

“It not only improves the affordability of a degree, but it provides additional flexibility for students,” Schubert said.

Under the block tuition plan, students will be able to take a minimum of 24 hours and up to a maximum of 36 hours per year for a flat rate, including general fees. Students will be able to split their hours over both semesters as well as in summer.

Schubert said the Partnering in the Journey Campaign is the university’s aggressive step toward further assisting students financially.

“I believe this cause is going to be championed by faculty and staff,” Schubert said. “It is always on our mind.”