1. NCU Inaugural Gala - September 25th: NCU's first public event will be its Inaugural Gala on September 25th - please consider joining us to show your support. This dinner is a very important evening, both for the supporters of New Catholic University and its future students. Guests of this black tie optional affair will be treated to an evening of fine dining and program at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine in San Diego's 'Golden Triangle' area. Please consider sponsoring a table and helping us to find table sponsors. We will be joined by Bishop Cordileone, Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego and a host of local Catholic and business leaders.

2. How you can help NCU: There are four ways you can help NCU today, all are priceless.

• Prayer - please include NCU among your daily prayer intentions. Please join other Catholics from around the world who are praying for NCU during this critical formation stage. >Prayer is critical for the success of NCU.
• Spread the Word - please consider sending an e-mail introducing NCU to your friends. NCU depends on volunteers and benefactors. The more people who know about NCU - the greater the probability that we will find people who care to donate either talent or treasure.
• Help with the Gala - do you know people who might consider attending the Inaugural Gala? Frequently, people will choose to attend an event if they are asked to consider attending by someone passionate about the cause. We will gladly supply you with formal invitations to mail to people that you know personally that you think should be asked to attend.
• Fundraising - most of the parents and students that will benefit from NCU do not currently have the financial ability to become significant benefactors. However, most people know someone who could invest in the future of NCU. The reality is that NCU does require the generosity of benefactors. Please help us share the idea of NCU with them - the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

3. NCU in the media: NCU has been mentioned in the secular media a number of times in the past two-months, including:

• San Diego Union-Tribune story 'New university plans '05 start: N. County school would stress business, religion' by Lisa Petrillo, dated 7/30/04.
• North County Times story 'New Catholic University files for state approval' by Brad Fikes, dated Monday, July 19, 2004
• Press Release 'Innovation, Business Creation: Hallmarks of San Diego's New Catholic University'; dated July 19, and appearing in PR LEAP

4. Legal Updates: NCU submitted its application for approval to operate a degree granting institution with the State of California BPPVE on July 6, 2004, and expects to receive temporary approval on or before February, 2005. The Bureau regulates approximately 3,000 schools serving an estimated 400,000 students in California. The Bureau establishes educational standards to serve as the minimum standard for instructional quality and institutional stability for private postsecondary schools.

The application process included the completion and submission of an application, payment of a fee ($4,560), a copy of a proposed university catalog and documentation including financial statements and future projections, along with student enrollment projections. After five to seven months, NCU will receive from BPPVE an analysis of the application along with a request for clarifications where needed, and possibly additional documentation. After a number of iterations with BPPVE, NCU anticipates obtaining a temporary approval to operate. NCU can then begin to recruit students. Within the following year, BPPVE staff will schedule an NCU site visit. NCU will get feedback on the findings generated from the visit. NCU will have to correct any observed deficiencies to BPPVE's satisfaction. Then NCU can expect to obtain a full approval - usually for three years.

NCU is still waiting on the IRS to approve its application filed on 5/10/2004 for 501c3 non-profit status. Once approved, the 'effective date' of NCU's tax exempt status will be the day it was originally created - 2/3/2004. This means that contributions NCU receives after incorporation but before the IRS issued its exemption letter will be deductible. Until then, it is important for potential benefactors to know that NCU does not actually have IRS approval. The IRS allows a non-profit up to 17-months to apply formally for non-profit status.

5. Meet with the NCU Founders:

• Please visit the NCU booth at the 14th Annual National Catholic Family Conference, August 21-22, at the Anaheim Convention Center, CA.
• NCU is currently scheduling a number of parish information sessions at North County San Diego parishes. We are scheduled to talk at St Mark's Parish in San Marcos in the Parish Hall after all Masses on Labor Day weekend. Please let us know if you are willing to help schedule an info session at your parish.
• We have had two successful lunches with local business leaders - one in Temecula and one in Escondido. If you are interested in hosting a lunch to introduce NCU to a group - please lets us know and we will be glad to about the university.