Under his leadership the school's fund-raising efforts soared, increasing from approximately $100 million annually in 1991 to more the $350 million in 2001. In 1995 Oliva oversaw the completion of what was at that time the first billion-dollar campaign undertaken by an American university. Launched in 1985 under Oliva’s predecessor, John Brademas, the campaign was successfully completed five years ahead of schedule. He signed the first contract between a private university and a graduate assistant labor union, the Graduate Student Organizing Committee of Local 2110/United Auto Workers. Oliva died on April 17, 2014, aged 80, of pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen and sons Jay and Edward.