VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST, 485BPOS, 2000-10-19

VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST
485BPOS, 2000-10-19

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<PAGE> 1

AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 19, 2000

REGISTRATION NOS. 33-8122
811-4805
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 [X]
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 42 [X]
</TABLE>

VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)

1 Parkview Plaza, PO Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(630) 684-6000
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code

A. THOMAS SMITH III
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Van Kampen Investments Inc.
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

------------------------

Copies to:

WAYNE W. WHALEN, ESQ.
THOMAS A. HALE, ESQ.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700
------------------------

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable
following effectiveness of this Registration Statement.

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

X immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

If appropriate check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
a previously filed post-effective amendment.

Title of Securities Being Registered: Shares of Beneficial Interest, par value
$0.01 per share.
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<PAGE> 2

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement contains
one Prospectus and one Statement of Additional Information describing the Van
Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund, a new series of the Registrant (the "Applicable
Series"). This Amendment is not intended to amend the prospectuses and
statements of additional information of other series of the Registrant. The
Registration Statement is organized as follows:

Facing Page

Prospectus relating to the Applicable Series

Statement of Additional Information relating to the Applicable Series

Part C Information

Exhibits

The prospectus and statement of additional information of the Van Kampen Small
Company Growth Fund of the Registration is incorporated herein by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
which was filed with the Commission on January 21, 2000. The Class D share
prospectus and statement of additional information of the Van Kampen Aggressive
Growth Fund of the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
which was filed with the Commission on September 25, 2000. The Class A, B and C
share prospectus of the Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund of the Registrant is
incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which was filed with the Commission on July
27, 2000. The prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Van
Kampen Utility Fund, Van Kampen Growth Fund, Van Kampen Select Growth Fund, and
Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund are incorporated herein by reference to the
Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
which was filed with the Commission on July 27, 2000. This Amendment is not
intended to amend the prospectuses and statements of additional information
incorporated herein.

<PAGE> 3

VAN KAMPEN
SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund's investment objective is to seek capital
appreciation. The Fund's investment adviser seeks to achieve the Fund's
investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks and other equity
securities of small companies that the Fund's investment adviser believes have
above-average potential for capital appreciation.

Shares of the Fund have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state regulator, and neither the SEC nor any
state regulator has passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated OCTOBER 19, 2000

PROSPECTUS

[VAN KAMPEN FUNDS LOGO]
<PAGE> 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Risk/Return Summary................................ 3
Fees and Expenses of the Fund...................... 4
Investment Objective, Policies and Risks........... 5
Investment Advisory Services....................... 9
Purchase of Shares................................. 10
Redemption of Shares............................... 16
Distributions from the Fund........................ 17
Shareholder Services............................... 18
Federal Income Taxation............................ 19
</TABLE>

No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this
prospectus, in connection with the offer contained in this prospectus and, if
given or made, such other information or representations must not be relied upon
as having been authorized by the Fund, the Fund's investment adviser or the
Fund's distributor. This prospectus does not constitute an offer by the Fund or
by the Fund's distributor to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of
the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is
unlawful for the Fund to make such an offer in such jurisdiction.
<PAGE> 5

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund's investment objective is to seek capital appreciation.

INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund's investment adviser uses a "bottom-up" stock selection process seeking
attractive growth opportunities on an individual company basis. In selecting
securities for investment, the Fund's investment adviser seeks those companies
that it believes have rising earnings expectations and rising valuations. The
Fund generally sells securities when earnings expectations or valuations flatten
or decline. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of
foreign issuers. The Fund may purchase and sell certain derivative instruments,
such as options, futures, options on futures and forward contracts, for various
portfolio management purposes.

Investment opportunities for small capitalization, growth company securities may
be more limited than those in other sectors of the market. In order to
facilitate the management of the Fund's portfolio, the Fund may from time to
time suspend the continuous offering of its shares to investors. As market
conditions permit, the Fund may reopen sales of the Fund's shares to investors.
Any such limited offerings of the Fund may commence and terminate without any
prior notice.

INVESTMENT RISKS

An investment in the Fund is subject to risks, and you could lose money on your
investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its
investment objective.

MARKET RISK. Market risk is the possibility that the market values of securities
owned by the Fund will decline. Market risk may affect a single issuer,
industry, sector of the economy or the market as a whole. Investments in common
stocks and other equity securities generally are affected by changes in the
stock markets, which fluctuate substantially over time, sometimes suddenly and
sharply.

The Fund emphasizes a "growth" style of investing and focuses primarily on small
companies. The market values of such securities may be more volatile than other
types of investments. The returns on such securities may or may not move in
tandem with the returns on other styles of investing or the overall stock
markets. Different types of stocks tend to shift in and out of favor depending
on market and economic conditions. Thus, the value of the Fund's investments
will vary and at times may be lower or higher than that of other types of
investments. During an overall stock market decline, stock prices of small or
unseasoned companies often fluctuate more and may fall more than stock prices of
larger, more established companies. Historically, stocks of small companies have
sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not perform as well as
stocks of larger companies.

The Fund may from time to time emphasize certain sectors of the market. To the
extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of
companies in the same sector of the market, it is more susceptible to economic,
political, regulatory and other occurrences influencing those sectors.

RISKS OF SMALL CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. The Fund focuses its investments on
small capitalization companies which often are newer, less established
companies. Investing in small capitalization companies involves risks not
ordinarily associated with investments in large capitalization companies. Small
capitalization companies carry additional risks because their earnings generally
tend to be less predictable, they often have limited product lines, markets,
distribution channels or financial resources and the management of such
companies may be dependent upon one or a few key people. The market movements of
equity securities of small capitalization companies may be more abrupt or
erratic than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more
established companies or the stock market in general. In addition, equity
securities of small capitalization companies generally are less liquid than
those of larger capitalization companies. This means that the Fund could have
greater difficulty selling such securities at the time and price that the Fund
would like.

FOREIGN RISKS. Because the Fund may own securities of foreign issuers, it may be
subject to risks not usually associated with owning securities of U.S.

3
<PAGE> 6

issuers. These risks can include fluctuations in foreign currencies, foreign
currency exchange controls, political and economic instability, differences in
financial reporting, differences in securities regulation and trading, and
foreign taxation issues.

RISKS OF USING DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS. In general terms, a derivative instrument
is one whose value depends on (or is derived from) the value of an underlying
asset, interest rate or index. Options, futures, options on futures and forward
contracts are examples of derivative instruments. Derivative instruments involve
risks different from direct investments in underlying securities. These risks
include imperfect correlation between the value of the instruments and the
underlying assets; risks of default by the other party to certain transactions;
risks that the transactions may result in losses that partially or completely
offset gains in portfolio positions; and risks that the transactions may not be
liquid.

MANAGER RISK. As with any managed fund, the Fund's investment adviser may not be
successful in selecting the best-performing securities or investment techniques,
and the Fund's performance may lag behind that of similar funds.

INVESTOR PROFILE

In light of the Fund's investment objective and strategies, the Fund may be
appropriate for investors who:

- Seek capital appreciation over the long term

- Do not seek current income from their investment

- Are willing to take on the increased risks of investing in smaller companies
in exchange for potentially higher capital appreciation

- Can withstand substantial volatility in the value of their Fund shares

- Wish to add to their investment portfolio a fund that emphasizes a growth
style of investing in common stocks of small companies

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank or other insured
depository institution. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

An investment in the Fund may not be appropriate for all investors. The Fund is
not intended to be a complete investment program, and investors should consider
their long-term investment goals and financial needs when making an investment
decision about the Fund. An investment in the Fund is intended to be a long-term
investment, and the Fund should not be used as a trading vehicle.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not commenced investment
operations. When the Fund has completed a full calendar year of investment
operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns,
highest and lowest quarterly returns and average total returns compared to a
benchmark index selected for the Fund. This information serves as a basis for
investors to evaluate the Fund's performance and risks by looking at how the
Fund's performance varies from year-to-year and how the Fund's performance
compares to a broad-based market index that the Fund's investment adviser
believes is an appropriate benchmark for the Fund. Past performance of the Fund
is not indicative of its future performance.

FEES AND EXPENSES
OF THE FUND

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the Fund.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Shares Shares Shares
------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment)
------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge
(load) imposed on
purchases (as a
percentage of 5.75%(1) None None
offering price)
............................................................
Maximum deferred
sales charge (load)
(as a percentage of
the lesser of
original purchase
price or redemption
proceeds) None(2) 5.00%(3) 1.00%(4)
............................................................
Maximum sales charge
(load) imposed on
reinvested dividends None None None
............................................................
Redemption fee None None None
............................................................
Exchange fee None None None
............................................................
</TABLE>

4
<PAGE> 7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Shares Shares Shares
------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from Fund assets)
------------------------------------------------------------
Management fees 0.80% 0.80% 0.80%
............................................................
Distribution and/or
service (12b-1)
fees(5) 0.25% 1.00%(6) 1.00%(6)
............................................................
Other expenses(7) 0.55% 0.55% 0.55%
............................................................
Total annual fund
operating expenses 1.60% 2.35% 2.35%
............................................................
</TABLE>

(1) Reduced for purchases of $50,000 and over. See "Purchase of Shares--Class A
Shares."
(2) Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to any sales charge at the
time of purchase, but a deferred sales charge of 1.00% may be imposed on
certain redemptions made within one year of the purchase. See "Purchase of
Shares--Class A Shares."
(3) The maximum deferred sales charge is 5.00% in the first year after purchase,
declining thereafter as follows:
Year 1-5.00%
Year 2-4.00%
Year 3-3.00%
Year 4-2.50%
Year 5-1.50%
After-None
See "Purchase of Shares--Class B Shares."
(4) The maximum deferred sales charge is 1.00% in the first year after purchase
and 0.00% thereafter. See "Purchase of Shares--Class C Shares."
(5) Class A Shares are subject to an annual service fee of up to 0.25% of the
average daily net assets attributable to such class of shares. Class B
Shares and Class C Shares are each subject to a combined annual distribution
and service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable
to such class of shares. See "Purchase of Shares."
(6) Because distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees are paid out of the Fund's
assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of
your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales
charges.

(7) Other expenses have been estimated for the Fund's current fiscal year.

Example:

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
Fund's operating expenses remain the same each year. Although your actual costs
may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
One Three
Year Years
-----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Shares $728 $1,051
.....................................................
Class B Shares $738 $1,033
.....................................................
Class C Shares $338 $733
.....................................................
</TABLE>

You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
One Three
Year Years
-----------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Class A Shares $728 $1,051
.....................................................
Class B Shares $238 $733
.....................................................
Class C Shares $238 $733
.....................................................
</TABLE>

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE,
POLICIES AND RISKS

The Fund's investment objective is to seek capital appreciation. Any income
received from the investment of portfolio securities is incidental to the Fund's
objective. The Fund's investment objective may be changed by the Fund's Board of
Trustees without shareholder approval, but no change is anticipated. If the
Fund's investment objective changes, the Fund will notify shareholders and
shareholders should consider whether the Fund remains an appropriate investment
in light of their then current financial position and needs. There are risks
inherent in all investments in securities; accordingly, there can be no
assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund's investment adviser seeks to achieve
the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in common stocks and
other equity securities of small companies that the Fund's investment adviser
believes have above-average potential for capital appreciation. The Fund's
investment adviser uses a "bottom-up" disciplined style of investing that
emphasizes the analysis of individual stocks rather than economic and market
cycles. The Fund's investment adviser relies on its research capabilities and
company/analyst meetings in reviewing companies. The Fund focuses on those
companies that exhibit rising earnings expectations and rising valuations. In
selecting securities for investment, the Fund generally seeks companies that
appear to be positioned to produce an attractive level of future earnings
through the development of new products, services or markets or as a result of
changing markets or industry conditions. The Fund's investment adviser expects
that many of the companies in which the Fund invests will, at the time of
investment, be experiencing high rates of earnings growth. The securities of
such companies may trade at higher prices to earnings ratios relative to more

5
<PAGE> 8

established companies and rates of earnings growth may be higher than the market
average. Stock prices of these companies may tend to be more volatile.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 65% of its total
assets in securities of small companies at the time of investment. Under current
market conditions, the Fund's investment adviser generally defines small
companies by reference to those companies within or below the capitalization
range of companies represented in the Russell 2000 Growth Index (which consists
of companies with capitalizations up to $1.5 billion as of May 31, 2000).
Investments in such companies may offer greater opportunities for capital
appreciation than larger, more established companies, but also may involve
special risks. The securities of small companies may be subject to more abrupt
or erratic market movements and may have lower trading volumes or more erratic
trading than securities of larger-sized companies or the market averages in
general. In addition, such companies typically are subject to a greater degree
of change in earnings and business prospects than are larger, more established
companies. Thus, the Fund may be subject to greater investment risk than that
assumed through investment in the securities of larger, more established
companies.

The companies and industries in which the Fund invests will change over time
depending on the assessment of the Fund's investment adviser of growth
opportunities. Although the Fund limits its investments to up to (but not
including) 25% of its total assets in any single industry, a significant portion
of the Fund's assets may be invested in securities of companies in the same
sector of the market. This may occur, for example, when the Fund's investment
adviser believes that several companies in the same sector each offer unusually
attractive growth opportunities. To the extent that the Fund invests a
significant portion of its assets in a limited number of market sectors, the
Fund will be more susceptible to economic, political, regulatory and other
factors influencing such sectors.

The Fund does not limit its investments to any single group or type of security.
The Fund may invest in unseasoned issuers and in securities involving special
circumstances, such as initial public offerings, companies with new management
or management reliant upon one or a few key people, special products and
techniques, limited or cyclical product lines, markets or resources, or unusual
developments, such as mergers, liquidations, bankruptcies or leveraged buyouts.
Investments in unseasoned companies, or companies with special circumstances or
unusual developments, often involve much greater risks than are inherent in
other types of investments, and securities of such companies may be more likely
to experience unexpected fluctuations in price. In addition, investments made in
anticipation of future events may, if delayed or never achieved, cause stock
prices to fall.

The Fund may dispose of a security whenever, in the opinion of the Fund's
investment adviser, factors indicate it is desirable to do so. The Fund
generally sells securities when earnings expectations or valuations flatten or
decline. Other factors may include changes in the company's operations or
relative market performance, changes in the appreciation possibilities offered
by individual securities, a change in the market trend or other factors
affecting an individual security, a change in economic or market factors in
general or with respect to a particular industry, and other circumstances
bearing on the desirability of a given investment. In addition, if an individual
stock position appreciates to a point where it begins to account for a larger
percentage of the Fund's assets, the Fund's investment adviser may sell a
portion of the position held.

The Fund invests primarily in common stocks. Common stocks are shares of a
corporation or other entity that entitle the holder to a pro rata share of the
profits of the corporation, if any, without preference over any other class of
securities, including such entity's debt securities, preferred stock and other
senior equity securities. Common stock usually carries with it the right to vote
and frequently an exclusive right to do so.

While the Fund invests primarily in common stocks, the Fund may invest in other
equity securities including preferred stocks, convertible securities and rights
and warrants to purchase common or preferred stock. Preferred stock generally
has a preference as to dividends and liquidation over an issuer's common stock
but ranks junior to debt securities in an issuer's capital structure. Unlike
interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only
if declared by the issuer's board of directors. Preferred stock also may be
subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other
security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of
common stock or other equity security of the same

6
<PAGE> 9

or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a
specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder
to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on
preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted
or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have
characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. The value of
convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of
the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of
the underlying equity securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a
stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the
same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common
stock in a corporation's capital structure but are usually subordinated to
comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not
participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying
equity securities although the market prices of the convertible securities may
be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying equity
securities. Rights and warrants entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a
specific price for a specific period of time. Rights typically have a
substantially shorter duration than do warrants. Rights and warrants may be
considered more speculative and less liquid than certain other types of
investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights
with respect to the underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in
the assets of the issuing company. Rights and warrants may lack a secondary
market.

RISKS OF INVESTING IN

SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in securities of foreign
issuers. Securities of foreign issuers may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in
currencies other than U.S. dollars. Investments in foreign securities present
certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of U.S.
issuers. These risks include fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates,
political, economic or legal developments (including war or other instability,
expropriation of assets, nationalization and confiscatory taxation), the
imposition of foreign exchange limitations (including currency blockage),
withholding taxes on income or capital transactions or other restrictions,
higher transaction costs (including higher brokerage, custodial and settlement
costs and currency conversion costs) and possible difficulty in enforcing
contractual obligations or taking judicial action. Foreign securities may not be
as liquid and may be more volatile than comparable domestic securities.

In addition, there often is less publicly available information about many
foreign issuers, and issuers of foreign securities are subject to different,
often less comprehensive, auditing, accounting and financial reporting
disclosure requirements than domestic issuers. There is generally less
government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad
than in the United States, and, with respect to certain foreign countries, there
is a possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, or diplomatic
developments which could affect investment in those countries. Because there is
usually less supervision and governmental regulation of foreign exchanges,
brokers and dealers than there is in the United States, the Fund may experience
settlement difficulties or delays not usually encountered in the United States.

Delays in making trades in foreign securities relating to volume constraints,
limitations or restrictions, clearance or settlement procedures, or otherwise
could impact returns and result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund are
not fully invested or attractive investment opportunities are foregone.

The Fund may invest in securities of issuers in developing or emerging market
countries. Investments in securities of issuers in developing or emerging market
countries are subject to greater risks than investments in securities of
developed countries since emerging market countries tend to have economic
structures that are less diverse and mature and political systems that are less
stable than developed countries.

In addition to the increased risks of investing in foreign securities, there are
often increased transaction costs associated with investing in foreign
securities including the costs incurred in connection with converting
currencies, higher foreign brokerage or dealer costs, and higher settlement
costs or custodial costs.

Many European countries have adopted or are in the process of adopting a single
European currency, commonly referred to as the "euro." The long-term
consequences of the euro conversion on foreign exchange rates, interest rates
and the value of European securities, all of which may adversely affect the
Fund, are still uncertain.

7
<PAGE> 10

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The Fund may, but is not required to, use various investment strategic
transactions described below to earn income, facilitate portfolio management and
mitigate risks. Although the Fund's investment adviser seeks to use the
practices to further the Fund's investment objective, no assurance can be given
that the use of these practices will achieve this result.

The Fund may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange-listed
and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures,
equity indices and other financial instruments, financial futures contracts and
options on futures (including but not limited to security index futures, foreign
currency exchange futures and other financial futures) and enter into various
currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures
contracts, currency swaps, or options on currencies or currency futures. In
addition, the Fund may invest in other derivative instruments that are developed
over time if their use would be consistent with the Fund's investment objective
and is approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. Collectively, all of the above
are referred to as "Strategic Transactions."

Strategic Transactions have risks including the imperfect correlation between
the value of such instruments and the underlying assets, the possible default by
the other party to the transaction or illiquidity of the derivative instruments.
Furthermore, the ability to successfully use Strategic Transactions depends on
the ability of the Fund's investment adviser to predict pertinent market
movements, which cannot be assured. Thus, the use of Strategic Transactions may
result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Fund to
sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other
than current market values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can
otherwise realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security
that it might otherwise sell. The use of currency transactions can result in the
Fund incurring losses because of the imposition of exchange controls, suspension
of settlements or the inability of the Fund to deliver or receive a specified
currency. In addition, amounts paid as premiums or cash or other assets held in
margin accounts with respect to Strategic Transactions are not otherwise
available to the Fund for investment purposes.

A more complete discussion of Strategic Transactions and their risks is
contained in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of
Additional Information can be obtained by investors free of charge as described
on the back cover of this prospectus.

OTHER INVESTMENTS AND RISK FACTORS

For cash management purposes, the Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with
broker-dealers, banks and other financial institutions to earn a return on
temporarily available cash. Such transactions are subject to the risk of default
by the other party.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of the Fund's net assets in illiquid securities
and certain restricted securities. Such securities may be difficult or
impossible to sell at the time and the price that the Fund would like. Thus, the
Fund may have to sell such securities at a lower price, sell other securities
instead to obtain cash or forego other investment opportunities.

Further information about these types of investments and other investment
practices that may be used by the Fund is contained in the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.

The Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time they have been
held in order to take advantage of new investment opportunities, or when the
Fund's investment adviser believes the potential for capital appreciation has
lessened, or for other reasons. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate may vary from
year to year. A high portfolio turnover rate (100% or more) increases a fund's
transaction costs (including brokerage commission and dealer costs) which would
adversely impact a fund's performance. Higher portfolio turnover also may result
in the realization of more short-term capital gains than if the fund had lower
portfolio turnover. The turnover rate will not be a limiting factor, however, if
the Fund's investment adviser considers portfolio changes appropriate.

TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE STRATEGY. When market conditions dictate a more "defensive"
investment strategy, the Fund may, on a temporary basis, hold cash or invest a
portion or all of its assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
government, its agencies or instrumentalities, prime commercial paper,
certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and other obligations of domestic
banks and in investment grade corporate debt securities. Under normal market
conditions, the potential for capital appreciation on these securities will tend
to be lower than the potential for capital appreciation on other securities

8
<PAGE> 11

that may be owned by the Fund. In taking such a defensive position, the Fund
would not be pursuing and may not achieve its investment objective.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

THE ADVISER. Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. is the Fund's investment
adviser (the "Adviser" or "Advisory Corp."). The Adviser is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Van Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"). Van Kampen
Investments is a diversified asset management company that administers more than
three million retail investor accounts, has extensive capabilities for managing
institutional portfolios, and has more than $100 billion under management or
supervision as of September 30, 2000. Van Kampen Investments' more than 50
open-end funds, 38 closed-end funds and more than 2,700 unit investment trusts
are professionally distributed by leading authorized dealers nationwide. Van
Kampen Funds Inc., the distributor of the Fund (the "Distributor") and the
sponsor of the funds mentioned above, is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Van
Kampen Investments. Van Kampen Investments is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. The Adviser's principal office is
located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555.

ADVISORY AGREEMENT. The Fund retains the Adviser to manage the investment of its
assets and to place orders for the purchase and sale of its portfolio
securities. Under an investment advisory agreement between the Adviser and the
Fund (the "Advisory Agreement"), the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee
computed based upon an annual rate applied to the average daily net assets of
the Fund as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Daily Net Assets % Per Annum
---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
First $500 million 0.80
.............................................
Next $500 million 0.75
.............................................
Over $1 billion 0.70
.............................................
</TABLE>

The Fund's average daily net assets are determined by taking the average of all
of the determinations of the net assets during a given calendar month. Such fee
is payable for each calendar month as soon as practicable after the end of that
month.

Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser furnishes offices, necessary
facilities and equipment and provides administrative services to the Fund. The
Fund pays all charges and expenses of its day-to-day operations, including
service fees, distribution fees, custodian fees, legal and independent
accountant fees, the costs of reports and proxies to shareholders, compensation
of trustees of the Trust (other than those who are affiliated persons of the
Adviser, Distributor or Van Kampen Investments) and all other ordinary business
expenses not specifically assumed by the Adviser.

From time to time, the Adviser or the Distributor may voluntarily undertake to
reduce the Fund's expenses by reducing the fees payable to them or by reducing
other expenses of the Fund in accordance with such limitations as the Adviser or
Distributor may establish.

The Adviser may utilize, at its own expense, credit analysis, research and
trading support services provided by its affiliate, Van Kampen Asset Management
Inc. ("Asset Management").

PERSONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES. The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor have
adopted Codes of Ethics designed to recognize the fiduciary relationships among
the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and their respective employees. The Codes
of Ethics permit directors, trustees, officers and employees to buy and sell
securities for their personal accounts subject to certain restrictions. Persons
with access to certain sensitive information are subject to pre-clearance and
other procedures designed to prevent conflicts of interest.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. The Fund is managed by a team of portfolio managers.
Senior Portfolio Managers Gary M. Lewis and David Walker are the co-lead
managers of the Fund. Mr. Lewis has overall responsibility for the team of
portfolio managers which also manage the Van Kampen Emerging Growth, Van Kampen
Select Growth, Van Kampen Technology and Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Funds in
addition to this Fund. Mr. Lewis has been Senior Vice President of the Adviser
since June 1995 and of Asset Management since October 1995. Prior to that time,
Mr. Lewis was Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Asset Management. Mr.
Lewis has been primarily responsible for managing the Fund's investment
portfolio since its inception.

9
<PAGE> 12

Mr. Walker has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since April 2000, and a Portfolio
Manager and Vice President of the Adviser and of Asset Management since December
1998. Mr. Walker became an Assistant Vice President of the Adviser and of Asset
Management in June 1995. Prior to April 1996, Mr. Walker was a Quantitative
Analyst of Asset Management and has worked for Asset Management since October
1990. Mr. Walker is also a portfolio manager for various unit investment trusts
managed by the Adviser or its affiliates since September 1997. Mr. Walker has
been affiliated with the Fund since its inception.

Senior Portfolio Managers Dudley Brickhouse and Janet Luby and Portfolio Manager
Matthew Hart are responsible as co-managers for the day-to-day management of the
Fund's investment portfolio.

Mr. Brickhouse has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since April 2000, and a
Portfolio Manager and Vice President of the Adviser and Asset Management since
December 1998. Mr. Brickhouse became an Associate Portfolio Manager of the
Adviser and Asset Management in September 1997. Prior to September 1997, Mr.
Brickhouse was a Vice President and Portfolio Manager with NationsBank where he
had worked since 1995. Mr. Brickhouse has been affiliated with the Fund since
its inception.

Ms. Luby has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since April 2000, and a Portfolio
Manager and Vice President of the Adviser and of Asset Management since December
1998. Ms. Luby became an Assistant Vice President of the Adviser and Asset
Management in December of 1997 and an Associate Portfolio Manager of Asset
Management in July 1995. Prior to July 1995, Ms. Luby spent eight years at AIM
Capital Management, Inc. where she worked five years in the accounting
department and three years in the investment area. Her last position in the AIM
investment area was as a senior securities analyst. Ms. Luby has also been the
portfolio manager for various unit investment trusts managed by the Adviser or
its affiliates since August 1999. Ms. Luby has been affiliated with the Fund
since its inception.

Mr. Hart has been a Portfolio Manager since January 1998 and Vice President of
the Adviser and Asset Management since December 1998. Mr. Hart became an
Associate Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and Asset Management in August 1997.
Prior to August 1997, Mr. Hart worked in various positions within the portfolio
area of AIM Capital Management, Inc., where he had worked since June 1992. Mr.
Hart's last position in the AIM portfolio area was as a convertible bonds
analyst. He has been affiliated with the Fund since its inception.

PURCHASE OF SHARES

GENERAL

The Fund offers three classes of shares, designated as Class A Shares, Class B
Shares and Class C Shares. By offering three classes of shares, the Fund permits
each investor to choose the class of Fund shares that is most beneficial given
the amount to be invested and the length of time the investor expects to hold
the shares.

Initial investments generally must be at least $1,000 per investor account, and
subsequent investments must be at least $25 per investor account. Minimum
investment amounts may be waived by the Distributor for certain retirement
accounts.

Each class of shares represents an interest in the same portfolio of investments
of the Fund and has the same rights except that (i) Class A Shares generally
bear the sales charge expenses at the time of purchase while Class B Shares and
Class C Shares generally bear the sales charge expenses at the time of
redemption and any expenses (including higher distribution fees and transfer
agency costs) resulting from such deferred sales charge arrangement, (ii) each
class of shares has exclusive voting rights with respect to approvals of the
Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and the service plan (each as described below)
under which the class's distribution fee and/or the service fee is paid, (iii)
each class of shares has different exchange privileges, (iv) certain classes of
shares are subject to a conversion feature and (v) certain classes of shares
have different shareholder service options available.

The offering price of the Fund's shares is based upon the Fund's net asset value
per share (plus sales

10
<PAGE> 13

charges, where applicable). The net asset values per share of the Class A
Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares are generally expected to be
substantially the same. In certain circumstances, however, the per share net
asset values of the classes of shares may differ from one another, reflecting
the daily expense accruals of the higher distribution fees and transfer agency
costs applicable to the Class B Shares and Class C Shares and the differential
in the dividends that may be paid on each class of shares.

The net asset value per share for each class of shares of the Fund is determined
once daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Exchange") (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time) each day the Exchange is open
for trading except on any day on which no purchase or redemption orders are
received or there is not a sufficient degree of trading in the Fund's portfolio
securities such that the Fund's net asset value per share might be materially
affected. The Fund's Board of Trustees reserves the right to calculate the net
asset value per share and adjust the offering price more frequently than once
daily if deemed desirable. Net asset value per share for each class is
determined by dividing the value of the Fund's portfolio securities, cash and
other assets (including accrued interest) attributable to such class, less all
liabilities (including accrued expenses) attributable to such class, by the
total number of shares of the class outstanding. Such computation is made by
using prices as of the close of trading on the Exchange and (i) valuing
securities listed or traded on a national securities exchange at the last
reported sale price and if there has been no sale that day, at the mean between
the last reported bid and asked prices, (ii) valuing over-the-counter securities
at the last reported sale price from the National Association of Securities
Dealer's Automated Quotations ("NASDAQ") and, if there has been no sale that
day, at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices and (iii)
valuing unlisted securities and securities for which market quotations are not
readily available and any other assets at fair value as determined in good faith
by the Adviser in accordance with procedures established by the Fund's Board of
Trustees. Securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at
amortized cost, which approximates market value.

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") with respect
to each of its Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940
Act"). The Fund also has adopted a service plan (the "Service Plan") with
respect to each such class of its shares. Under the Distribution Plan and the
Service Plan, the Fund pays distribution fees in connection with the sale and
distribution of its shares and service fees in connection with provision of
ongoing services to shareholders of each such class and the maintenance of
shareholder accounts.

The amount of distribution and service fees varies among the classes offered by
the Fund. Because these fees are paid out of the Fund's assets on an ongoing
basis, these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund. By
purchasing a class of shares subject to higher distribution and service fees,
you may pay more over time than on a class of shares with other types of sales
charge arrangements. Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic
equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charges permitted by the rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). The net income
attributable to a class of shares will be reduced by the amount of the
distribution and service fees and other expenses of the Fund associated with
that class of shares. To assist investors in comparing classes of shares, the
tables under the Prospectus heading "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" provide a
summary of sales charges and expenses and an example of the sales charges and
expenses of the Fund applicable to each class of shares offered herein.

The shares are offered on a continuous basis through the Distributor as
principal underwriter, which is located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace,
Illinois 60181-5555. Shares may be purchased through members of the NASD who are
acting as securities dealers ("dealers") and NASD members or eligible non-NASD
members who are acting as brokers or agents for investors ("brokers"). "Dealers"
and "brokers" are sometimes referred to herein as "authorized dealers."

Shares may be purchased on any business day by completing the account
application form and forwarding the account application form, directly or
through an authorized dealer, to the Fund's shareholder service agent, Van
Kampen Investor Services Inc. ("Investor Services"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of Van Kampen Investments. When purchasing shares of the Fund through this
prospectus, investors must specify whether the purchase is for Class A Shares,
Class B Shares or Class C Shares by selecting the correct Fund name and number
on the account application form. Sales personnel of authorized dealers
distributing the Fund's shares are entitled to receive compensation for

11
<PAGE> 14

selling such shares and may receive differing compensation for selling Class A
Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares.

The offering price for shares is based upon the next calculation of net asset
value per share (plus sales charges, where applicable) after an order is
received by Investor Services. Orders received by authorized dealers prior to
the close of the Exchange are priced based on the date of receipt provided such
order is transmitted to Investor Services prior to Investor Services' close of
business on such date. Orders received by authorized dealers after the close of
the Exchange or transmitted to Investor Services after its close of business are
priced based on the date of the next determined net asset value per share
provided they are received by Investor Services prior to Investor Services'
close of business on such date. It is the responsibility of authorized dealers
to transmit orders received by them to Investor Services so they will be
received in a timely manner.

The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to refuse any order for the
purchase of shares. The Fund also reserves the right to suspend the sale of the
Fund's shares in response to conditions in the securities markets or for other
reasons. The Fund does not provide for periodic or systematic investment plans.
Shares of the Fund may be sold in foreign countries where permissible.

Investor accounts will automatically be credited with additional shares of the
Fund after any Fund distributions, such as dividends and capital gain dividends,
unless the investor instructs the Fund otherwise. Investors wishing to receive
cash instead of additional shares should contact the Fund by telephone at (800)
341-2911 or by writing to the Fund, c/o Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., PO
Box 218256, Kansas City, MO 64121-8256.

CLASS A SHARES

Class A Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value plus an initial maximum
sales charge of up to 5.75% of the offering price (or 6.10% of the net amount
invested), reduced on investments of $50,000 or more as follows:

CLASS A SHARES

SALES CHARGE SCHEDULE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As % of As % of
Size of Offering Net Amount
Investment Price Invested
----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10%
..........................................................
$50,000 but less than
$100,000 4.75% 4.99%
..........................................................
$100,000 but less than
$250,000 3.75% 3.90%
..........................................................
$250,000 but less than
$500,000 2.75% 2.83%
..........................................................
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000 2.00% 2.04%
..........................................................
$1,000,000 or more * *
..........................................................
</TABLE>

* No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1
million or more, although for such investments the Fund may impose a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% on certain redemptions made within
one year of the purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed on
an amount equal to the lesser of the then current market value or the cost of
the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed on
increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price.

No sales charge is imposed on Class A Shares received from reinvestment of
dividends or capital gain dividends.

Under the Distribution Plan and the Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to a
total of 0.25% per year of the Fund's average daily net assets with respect to
Class A Shares of the Fund. From such amount, under the Service Plan, the Fund
may spend up to 0.25% per year of the Fund's average daily net assets with
respect to Class A Shares of the Fund.

12
<PAGE> 15

CLASS B SHARES

Class B Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value and are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within five years of purchase as
shown in the table as follows:

CLASS B SHARES

SALES CHARGE SCHEDULE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge
as a Percentage of
Dollar Amount
Year Since Purchase Subject to Charge
------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
First 5.00%
................................................
Second 4.00%
................................................
Third 3.00%
................................................
Fourth 2.50%
................................................
Fifth 1.50%
................................................
Sixth and After None
................................................
</TABLE>

The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed on an amount equal to the
lesser of the then current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed on increases in net asset
value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no sales charge is assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gain dividends. It
is presently the policy of the Distributor not to accept any order for Class B
Shares in an amount of $500,000 or more because it ordinarily will be more
advantageous for an investor making such an investment to purchase Class A
Shares.

The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, varies depending on
the number of years from the time of payment for each purchase of Class B Shares
until the time of redemption of such shares.

In determining whether a contingent deferred sales charge applies to a
redemption, it is assumed that the shares being redeemed first are any shares in
the shareholder's Fund account that are not subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge, followed by shares held the longest in the shareholder's account.

Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.75% per year of the
Fund's average daily net assets with respect to Class B Shares of the Fund. In
addition, under the Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.25% per year of the
Fund's average daily net assets with respect to Class B Shares of the Fund.

CLASS C SHARES

Class C Shares of the Fund are sold at net asset value and are subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the dollar amount subject to charge
if redeemed within one year of purchase.

The contingent deferred sales charge is assessed on an amount equal to the
lesser of the then current market value or the cost of the shares being
redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed on increases in net asset
value above the initial purchase price. In addition, no sales charge is assessed
on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gain dividends. It
is presently the policy of the Distributor not to accept any order for Class C
Shares in an amount of $1 million or more because it ordinarily will be more
advantageous for an investor making such an investment to purchase Class A
Shares.

Under the Distribution Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.75% per year of the
Fund's average daily net assets with respect to Class C Shares of the Fund. In
addition, under the Service Plan, the Fund may spend up to 0.25% per year of the
Fund's average daily net assets with respect to Class C Shares of the Fund.

CONVERSION FEATURE

Class B Shares, including Class B Shares received from reinvestment of dividends
through the dividend reinvestment plan, automatically convert to Class A Shares
eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge. The
conversion schedule applicable to a share of the Fund acquired through the
exchange privilege from another Van Kampen fund participating in the exchange
program is determined by reference to the Van Kampen fund from which such share
was originally purchased.

The conversion of such shares to Class A Shares is subject to the continuing
availability of an opinion of counsel to the effect that (i) the assessment of
the higher distribution fee and transfer agency costs with respect to such
shares does not result in the Fund's

13
<PAGE> 16

dividends or capital gain dividends constituting "preferential dividends" under
the federal income tax law and (ii) the conversion of shares does not constitute
a taxable event under federal income tax law. The conversion may be suspended if
such an opinion is no longer available and such shares might continue to be
subject to the higher aggregate fees applicable to such shares for an indefinite
period.

WAIVER OF CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE

The contingent deferred sales charge is waived on redemptions of Class B Shares
and Class C Shares (i) within one year following the death or disability (as
disability is defined by federal income tax law) of a shareholder, (ii) for
required minimum distributions from an individual retirement account ("IRA") or
certain other retirement plan distributions, (iii) for withdrawals under the
Fund's systematic withdrawal plan but limited to 12% annually of the initial
value of the account, (iv) if no commission or transaction fee is paid to
authorized dealers at the time of purchase of such shares and (v) if made by the
Fund's involuntary liquidation of a shareholder's account as described under the
Prospectus heading "Redemption of Shares." Subject to certain limitations, a
shareholder who has redeemed Class C Shares of the Fund may reinvest in Class C
Shares at net asset value with credit for any contingent deferred sales charge
if the reinvestment is made within 180 days after the redemption provided that
shares of the Fund are available for sale at the time of such reinvestment. For
a more complete description of contingent deferred sales charge waivers, please
refer to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or contact your
authorized dealer.

QUANTITY DISCOUNTS

Investors purchasing Class A Shares may, under certain circumstances described
below, be entitled to pay reduced or no sales charges. Investors, or their
authorized dealers, must notify the Fund at the time of the purchase order
whenever a quantity discount is applicable to purchases. Upon such notification,
an investor will pay the lowest applicable sales charge. Quantity discounts may
be modified or terminated at any time. For more information about quantity
discounts, investors should contact their authorized dealer or the Distributor.

A person eligible for a reduced sales charge includes an individual, his or her
spouse and children under 21 years of age and any corporation, partnership or
sole proprietorship which is 100% owned, either alone or in combination, by any
of the foregoing; a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust or
for a single fiduciary account, or a "company" as defined in Section 2(a)(8) of
the 1940 Act.

As used herein, "Participating Funds" refers to certain open-end investment
companies advised by Asset Management or Advisory Corp. and distributed by the
Distributor as determined from time to time by the Fund's Board of Trustees.

VOLUME DISCOUNTS. The size of investment shown in the Class A Shares sales
charge table applies to the total dollar amount being invested by any person in
shares of the Fund, or in any combination of shares of the Fund and shares of
other Participating Funds, although other Participating Funds may have different
sales charges.

CUMULATIVE PURCHASE DISCOUNT. The size of investment shown in the Class A Shares
sales charge table may also be determined by combining the amount being invested
in shares of the Participating Funds plus the current offering price of all
shares of the Participating Funds currently owned.

LETTER OF INTENT. A Letter of Intent provides an opportunity for an investor to
obtain a reduced sales charge by aggregating investments over a 13-month period
to determine the sales charge as outlined in the Class A Shares sales charge
table. The size of investment shown in the Class A Shares sales charge table
includes purchases of shares of the Participating Funds over a 13-month period
based on the total amount of intended purchases plus the value of all shares of
the Participating Funds previously purchased and still owned. An investor may
elect to compute the 13-month period starting up to 90 days before the date of
execution of a Letter of Intent. Each investment made during the period receives
the reduced sales charge applicable to the total amount of the investment goal.
The Letter of Intent does not preclude the Fund (or any other Participating
Fund) from discontinuing the sale of its shares. The initial purchase must be
for an amount equal to at least 5% of the minimum total purchase amount of the
level selected. If trades not initially made under a Letter of Intent
subsequently qualify for a lower sales charge through the 90-day backdating
provisions, an adjustment will be made at the expiration of the Letter of Intent
to give effect to the lower sales charge. Such adjustment in sales charge will
be used to purchase additional shares. The Fund initially will escrow shares
totaling 5% of the dollar amount of the Letter of Intent to be held by Investor
Services in the name

14
<PAGE> 17

of the shareholder. In the event the Letter of Intent goal is not achieved
within the specified period, the investor must pay the difference between the
sales charge applicable to the purchases made and the reduced sales charges
previously paid. Such payments may be made directly to the Distributor or, if
not paid, the Distributor will liquidate sufficient escrowed shares to obtain
the difference.

OTHER PURCHASE PROGRAMS

Purchasers of Class A Shares may be entitled to reduced or no initial sales
charges in connection with purchases by registered representatives of selling
firms or purchases by persons affiliated with the Fund or the Distributor. The
Fund reserves the right to modify or terminate these arrangements at any time.

NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASE OPTIONS. Class A Shares of the Fund may be purchased at
net asset value, generally upon written assurance that the purchase is made for
investment purposes and that the shares will not be resold except through
redemption by the Fund, by:

(1) Current or retired trustees or directors of funds advised by Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries and such persons' families and
their beneficial accounts.

(2) Current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter & Co. and any of its subsidiaries; employees of an investment
subadviser to any fund described in (1) above or an affiliate of such
subadviser; and such persons' families and their beneficial accounts.

(3) Directors, officers, employees and, when permitted, registered
representatives, of financial institutions that have a selling group
agreement with the Distributor and their spouses and children under 21 years
of age when purchasing for any accounts they beneficially own, or, in the
case of any such financial institution, when purchasing for retirement plans
for such institution's employees; provided that such purchases are otherwise
permitted by such institutions.

(4) Registered investment advisers who charge a fee for their services, trust
companies and bank trust departments investing on their own behalf or on
behalf of their clients. The Distributor may pay authorized dealers through
which purchases are made an amount up to 0.50% of the amount invested, over
a 12-month period.

(5) Beneficial owners of shares of Participating Funds held by a retirement plan
or held in a tax-advantaged retirement account who purchase shares of the
Fund with proceeds from distributions from such a plan or retirement account
other than distributions taken to correct an excess contribution.

(6) Accounts as to which a bank or broker-dealer charges an account management
fee ("wrap accounts"), provided the bank or broker-dealer has a separate
agreement with the Distributor.

(7) Individuals who are members of a "qualified group." For this purpose, a
qualified group is one which (i) has been in existence for more than six
months, (ii) has a purpose other than to acquire shares of the Fund or
similar investments, (iii) has given and continues to give its endorsement
or authorization, on behalf of the group, for purchase of shares of the Fund
and Participating Funds, (iv) has a membership that the authorized dealer
can certify as to the group's members and (v) satisfies other uniform
criteria established by the Distributor for the purpose of realizing
economies of scale in distributing such shares. A qualified group does not
include one whose sole organizational nexus, for example, is that its
participants are credit card holders of the same institution, policy holders
of an insurance company, customers of a bank or broker-dealer, clients of an
investment adviser or other similar groups. Shares purchased in each group's
participants account in connection with this privilege will be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% in the event of redemption within
one year of purchase, and a commission will be paid to authorized dealers
who initiate and are responsible for such sales to each individual as
follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1 million and
0.50% on the excess over $3 million.

The term "families" includes a person's spouse, children and grandchildren under
21 years of age, parents, and a person's spouse's parents.

Purchase orders made pursuant to clause (4) may be placed either through
authorized dealers as described above or directly with Investor Services by the
investment adviser, trust company or bank trust

15
<PAGE> 18

department, provided that Investor Services receives federal funds for the
purchase by the close of business on the next business day following acceptance
of the order. An authorized dealer may charge a transaction fee for placing an
order to purchase shares pursuant to this provision or for placing a redemption
order with respect to such shares. Authorized dealers will be paid a service fee
as described above on purchases made under options (3) through (7) above. The
Fund may terminate, or amend the terms of, offering shares of the Fund at net
asset value to such groups at any time.

REDEMPTION OF
SHARES

Generally shareholders may redeem for cash some or all of their shares without
charge by the Fund (other than applicable sales charge) at any time. As
described under the Prospectus heading "Purchase of Shares," redemptions of
Class B Shares and Class C Shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge. In addition, certain redemptions of Class A Shares for shareholder
accounts of $1 million or more may be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge. Redemptions completed through an authorized dealer or a
custodian/trustee of a retirement plan account may involve additional fees
charged by the dealer or custodian/trustee.

Except as specified below under "Telephone Redemption Requests," payment for
shares redeemed generally will be made by check mailed within seven days after
receipt by Investor Services of the redemption request and any other necessary
documents in proper form as described below. Such payment may be postponed or
the right of redemption suspended as provided by the rules of the SEC. Such
payment may, under certain circumstances, be paid wholly or in part by a
distribution-in-kind of portfolio securities. A distribution-in-kind will result
in recognition by the shareholder of a gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes when such securities are distributed, and the shareholder may have
brokerage costs and a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes upon the
shareholder's disposition of such securities. If the shares to be redeemed have
been recently purchased by check, Investor Services may delay the payment of
redemption proceeds until it confirms the purchase check has cleared, which may
take up to 15 days from the date of purchase. A taxable gain or loss may be
recognized by the shareholder upon redemption of shares. Certificated shares
must be properly endorsed for transfer and must accompany a written redemption
request.

WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUESTS. Shareholders may request a redemption of shares by
written request in proper form sent directly to Van Kampen Investor Services
Inc., PO Box 218256, Kansas City, MO 64121-8256. The request for redemption
should indicate the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, the Fund
name and class designation of such shares and the shareholder's account number.
The redemption request must be signed by all persons in whose names the shares
are registered. Signatures must conform exactly to the account registration. If
the proceeds of the redemption exceed $100,000, or if the proceeds are not to be
paid to the record owner at the record address, or if the record address has
changed within the previous 15 days, signature(s) must be guaranteed by one of
the following: a bank or trust company; a broker-dealer; a credit union; a
national securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing
agency; a savings and loan association; or a federal savings bank.

Generally, a properly signed written request with any required signature
guarantee is all that is required for a redemption request to be in proper form.
In some cases, however, additional documents may be necessary. Certificated
shares may be redeemed only by written request. The certificates for the shares
being redeemed must be properly endorsed for transfer and must accompany the
written redemption request. Generally, in the event a redemption is requested by
and registered to a corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary, estate or other
legal entity owning shares of the Fund, a copy of the corporate resolution or
other legal documentation appointing the authorized signer and certified within
the prior 120 days must accompany the redemption request. Retirement plan
distribution requests should be sent to the plan custodian/trustee to be
forwarded to Investor Services. Contact the plan custodian/trustee for further
information.

In the case of written redemption requests sent directly to Investor Services,
the redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined after the
request in proper form is received by Investor Services.

AUTHORIZED DEALER REDEMPTION REQUESTS. Shareholders may place redemption
requests through an

16
<PAGE> 19

authorized dealer. The redemption price for such shares is the net asset value
per share next calculated after an order in proper form is received by an
authorized dealer provided such order is transmitted to the Distributor prior to
the Distributor's close of business on such day. It is the responsibility of
authorized dealers to transmit redemption requests received by them to the
Distributor so they will be received prior to such time. Redemptions completed
through an authorized dealer may involve additional fees charged by the dealer.

TELEPHONE REDEMPTION REQUESTS. The Fund permits redemption of shares by
telephone and for redemption proceeds to be sent to the address of record for
the account or to the bank account of record as described below. A shareholder
automatically has telephone redemption privileges unless the shareholder
indicates otherwise by checking the applicable box on the account application
form. For accounts that are not established with telephone redemption
privileges, a shareholder may call the Fund at (800) 341-2911 to request that a
copy of the Telephone Redemption Authorization form be sent to the shareholder
for completion. To redeem shares, contact the telephone transaction line at
(800) 421-5684. Shares may also be redeemed by telephone through FundInfo(R)
(automated telephone system) which is generally accessible 24 hours a day, seven
days a week at (800) 847-2424. Van Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries,
including Investor Services, and the Fund employ procedures considered by them
to be reasonable to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are
genuine. Such procedures include requiring certain personal identification
information prior to acting upon telephone instructions, tape-recording
telephone communications and providing written confirmation of instructions
communicated by telephone. If reasonable procedures are employed, none of Van
Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be liable for following
telephone instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. Telephone
redemptions may not be available if the shareholder cannot reach Investor
Services by telephone, whether because all telephone lines are busy or for any
other reason; in such case, a shareholder would have to use the Fund's other
redemption procedure previously described. Requests received by Investor
Services prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, will be processed at the next
determined net asset value per share. These privileges are available for most
accounts other than retirement accounts or accounts with shares represented by
certificates. If an account has multiple owners, Investor Services may rely on
the instructions of any one owner.

For redemptions authorized by telephone, amounts of $50,000 or less may be
redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by check and amounts of at least
$1,000 up to $1 million may be redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by
wire. The proceeds must be payable to the shareholder(s) of record and sent to
the address of record for the account or wired directly to their predesignated
bank account. This privilege is not available if the address of record has been
changed within 15 days prior to a telephone redemption request. Proceeds from
redemptions payable by wire transfer are expected to be wired on the next
business day following the date of redemption. The Fund reserves the right at
any time to terminate, limit or otherwise modify this redemption privilege.

OTHER REDEMPTION INFORMATION. The Fund may redeem any shareholder account that
has a value on the date of the notice of redemption less than the minimum
initial investment as specified in this prospectus. At least 60 days' advance
written notice of any such involuntary redemption will be provided to the
shareholder and such shareholder will be given an opportunity to purchase the
required value of additional shares at the next determined net asset value
without sales charge. Any involuntary redemption may only occur if the
shareholder account is less than the minimum initial investment due to
shareholder redemptions.

DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FUND

In addition to any increase in the value of shares which the Fund may achieve,
shareholders may receive distributions from the Fund of dividends and capital
gain dividends.

DIVIDENDS. Dividends from stocks and interest earned from other investments are
the Fund's main sources of net investment income. The Fund's present policy,
which may be changed at any time by the Fund's Board of Trustees, is to
distribute all, or substantially all, of this net investment income at least
annually as dividends to shareholders. Dividends are automatically applied to
purchase additional shares of

17
<PAGE> 20

the Fund at the next determined net asset value unless the shareholder instructs
otherwise.
The per share dividends on Class B Shares and Class C Shares may be lower than
the per share dividends on Class A Shares as a result of the higher distribution
fees and transfer agency costs applicable to such classes of shares.

CAPITAL GAIN DIVIDENDS. The Fund may realize capital gains or losses when it
sells securities, depending on whether the sales prices for the securities are
higher or lower than purchase prices. The Fund distributes any net capital gains
as capital gain dividends to shareholders at least annually. As in the case of
dividends, capital gain dividends are automatically reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund at the next determined net asset value unless the shareholder
instructs otherwise.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

Listed below are some of the shareholder services the Fund offers to investors.
For a more complete description of the Fund's shareholder services, such as
investment accounts, share certificates, retirement plans, automated clearing
house deposits, dividend diversification and the systematic withdrawal plan,
please refer to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or contact your
authorized dealer.

INTERNET TRANSACTIONS. In addition to performing transactions on your account
through written instruction or by telephone, you may also perform certain
transactions through the internet. Please refer to our web site at
www.vankampen.com for further instructions regarding internet transactions. Van
Kampen Investments and its subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and the
Fund employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that
instructions communicated through the internet are genuine. Such procedures
include requiring use of a personal identification number prior to acting upon
internet instructions and providing written confirmation of instructions
communicated through the internet. If reasonable procedures are employed, none
of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be liable for
following instructions received through the internet which it reasonably
believes to be genuine. If an account has multiple owners, Investor Services may
rely on the instructions of any one owner.

REINVESTMENT PLAN. A convenient way for investors to accumulate additional
shares is by accepting dividends and capital gain dividends in shares of the
Fund. Such shares are acquired at net asset value per share (without sales
charge) on the applicable payable date of the dividend or capital gain dividend.
Unless the shareholder instructs otherwise, the reinvestment plan is automatic.
This instruction may be made by telephone by calling (800) 341-2911 ((800)
421-2833 for the hearing impaired) or by writing to Investor Services. The
investor may, on the account application form or prior to any declaration,
instruct that dividends and/or capital gain dividends be paid in cash, be
reinvested in the Fund at the next determined net asset value or be invested in
another Participating Fund at the next determined net asset value.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares of the same
class of any Participating Fund based on the next determined net asset value per
share of each fund after requesting the exchange without any sales charge,
subject to certain limitations. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares
of any Participating Fund only if shares of that Participating Fund are
available for sale; however, during periods of suspension of sales, shares of a
Participating Fund may be available for sale only to existing shareholders of a
Participating Fund. Shareholders seeking an exchange into a Participating Fund
should obtain and read the current prospectus for such fund prior to
implementing an exchange. A prospectus of any of the Participating Funds may be
obtained from an authorized dealer or the Distributor.

To be eligible for exchange, shares of the Fund must have been registered in the
shareholder's name for at least 30 days prior to an exchange. Shares of the Fund
registered in a shareholder's name for less than 30 days may only be exchanged
upon receipt of prior approval of the Adviser. It is the policy of the Adviser,
under normal circumstances, not to approve such requests.

When shares that are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are exchanged
among Participating Funds, the holding period for purposes of computing the
contingent deferred sales charge is based upon the date of the initial purchase
of such shares from a Participating Fund. When such shares are redeemed and not
exchanged for shares of another Participating Fund, the shares are subject to
the contingent deferred sales charge schedule imposed by the Participating Fund
from which such shares were originally purchased.

18
<PAGE> 21

Exchanges of shares are sales of shares of one Participating Fund and purchases
of shares of another Participating Fund. The sale may result in a gain or loss
for federal income tax purposes. If the shares sold have been held for less than
91 days, the sales charge paid on such shares is carried over and included in
the tax basis of the shares acquired.

A shareholder wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a written request
to Investor Services, by contacting the telephone transaction line at (800)
421-5684, through FundInfo(R) (automated telephone system) at (800) 847-2424 or
through the internet at www.vankampen.com. A shareholder automatically has these
exchange privileges unless the shareholder indicates otherwise by checking the
applicable box on the account application form. Van Kampen Investments and its
subsidiaries, including Investor Services, and the Fund employ procedures
considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures include requiring certain personal
identification information prior to acting upon telephone instructions, tape-
recording telephone communications, and providing written confirmation of
instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable procedures are employed,
none of Van Kampen Investments, Investor Services or the Fund will be liable for
following telephone instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. If
the exchanging shareholder does not have an account in the fund whose shares are
being acquired, a new account will be established with the same registration,
dividend and capital gain dividend options (except dividend diversification) and
authorized dealer of record as the account from which shares are exchanged,
unless otherwise specified by the shareholder. In order to establish a
systematic withdrawal plan for the new account or reinvest dividends from the
new account into another fund, however, an exchanging shareholder must submit a
specific request. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order to acquire its
shares through exchange. In addition, the Fund and other Participating Funds may
restrict exchanges by shareholders engaged in excessive trading by limiting or
disallowing the exchange privilege to such shareholders. For further information
on these restrictions, see the Fund's Statement of Additional Information. The
Fund may modify, restrict or terminate the exchange privilege at any time on 60
days' notice to its shareholders of any termination or material amendment.

For purposes of determining the sales charge rate previously paid on Class A
Shares, all sales charges paid on the exchanged security and on any security
previously exchanged for such security or for any of its predecessors shall be
included. If the exchanged security was acquired through reinvestment, that
security is deemed to have been sold with a sales charge rate equal to the rate
previously paid on the security on which the dividend or distribution was paid.
If a shareholder exchanges less than all of such shareholder's securities, the
security upon which the highest sales charge rate was previously paid is deemed
exchanged first.

Exchange requests received on a business day prior to the time shares of the
funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the date of
receipt. "Processing" a request means that shares of the fund which the
shareholder is redeeming will be redeemed at the net asset value per share next
determined on the date of receipt. Shares of the fund that the shareholder is
purchasing will also normally be purchased at the net asset value per share,
plus any applicable sales charge, next determined on the date of receipt.
Exchange requests received on a business day after the time that shares of the
funds involved in the request are priced will be processed on the next business
day in the manner described herein.

FEDERAL INCOME
TAXATION

Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income (generally
ordinary income and net short-term capital gain) are taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits, whether paid
in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions of the Fund's net
capital gain (which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net
short-term capital loss) as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or reinvested in
additional shares, and regardless of how long the shares of the Fund have been
held by such shareholders. The Fund expects that its distributions will consist
primarily of ordinary income and capital gain dividends. Distributions in excess
of the Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a
holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will
constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming such shares are held as a
capital asset). Although distributions generally are treated as taxable in the
year they are paid, distributions declared in October, November or

19
<PAGE> 22

December, payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such month
and paid during January of the following year will be treated as having been
distributed by the Fund and received by the shareholders on the December 31st
prior to the date of payment. The Fund will inform shareholders of the source
and tax status of all distributions promptly after the close of each calendar
year.

The sale or exchange of shares may be a taxable transaction for federal income
tax purposes. Shareholders who sell their shares will generally recognize a gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in
the shares sold and the amount received. If the shares are held by the
shareholder as a capital asset, the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss.
Any recognized capital gains may be taxed at different rates depending on how
long the shareholder held such shares.

The Fund is required, in certain circumstances, to withhold 31% of dividends and
certain other payments, including redemptions, paid to shareholders who do not
furnish to the Fund their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of
individuals, their social security number) and certain required certifications
or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding.

Foreign shareholders, including shareholders who are non-resident aliens, may be
subject to U.S. withholding tax on certain distributions (whether received in
cash or in shares) at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as prescribed by an
applicable treaty. Prospective foreign investors should consult their tax
advisers concerning the tax consequences to them of an investment in shares.

The Fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under federal
income tax law. If the Fund so qualifies and distributes each year to its
shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, the Fund
will not be required to pay federal income taxes on any income it distributes to
shareholders. If the Fund distributes less than an amount equal to the sum of
98% of its ordinary income and 98% of its capital gain net income, then the Fund
will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts.

The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information
only. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the
specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares
of the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax law and any
proposed tax law changes.

20
<PAGE> 23

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
AND OFFICERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
J. Miles Branagan Richard F. Powers, III*
Jerry D. Choate Phillip B. Rooney
Linda Hutton Heagy Fernando Sisto
R. Craig Kennedy Wayne W. Whalen*
Mitchell M. Merin* Suzanne H. Woolsey
Jack E. Nelson
</TABLE>

OFFICERS

Richard F. Powers, III*
President

Stephen L. Boyd*

Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer

A. Thomas Smith III*

Vice President and Secretary

John H. Zimmermann, III*

Vice President

Michael H. Santo*
Vice President

Richard A. Ciccarone*

Vice President

John R. Reynoldson*

Vice President

John L. Sullivan*

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

* "Interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS OR PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS
Call your broker or (800) 341-2911
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central time Monday through Friday

DEALERS
For dealer information, selling agreements, wire orders, or
redemptions, call the Distributor at (800) 421-5666

TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF
For shareholder and dealer inquiries through Telecommunications Device for the
Deaf (TDD), call (800) 421-2833

FUNDINFO(R)
For automated telephone services, call (800) 847-2424

WEB SITE
www.vankampen.com

VAN KAMPEN SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

Investment Adviser
VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

Distributor
VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC.
1 Parkview Plaza
PO Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555

Transfer Agent
VAN KAMPEN INVESTOR SERVICES INC.
PO Box 218256
Kansas City, MO 64121-8256
Attn: Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund

Custodian
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

225 Franklin Street, PO Box 1713

Boston, MA 02105-1713
Attn: Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund

Legal Counsel
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Independent Auditors

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

233 South Wacker Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

<PAGE> 24

VAN KAMPEN SMALL CAP
GROWTH FUND

PROSPECTUS

OCTOBER 19, 2000

A Statement of Additional Information, which
contains more details about the Fund, is
incorporated by reference in its entirety into
this prospectus.

You will find additional information about the
Fund in its annual and semiannual reports to
shareholders. The annual report explains the
market conditions and investment strategies
affecting the Fund's performance during its
last fiscal year.

You can ask questions or obtain a free copy of
the Fund's reports or its Statement of
Additional Information by calling (800)
341-2911 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central
time, Monday through Friday.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf users
may call (800) 421-2833. A free copy of the
Fund's reports can also be ordered from our
web site at www.vankampen.com.

Information about the Fund, including its
reports and Statement of Additional
Information, has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It
can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the
EDGAR database on the SEC's internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). Information on the
operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room
may be obtained by calling the SEC at
1-202-942-8090. You can also request copies of
these materials, upon payment of a duplicating
fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-
mail address ([email protected]), or by
writing the Public Reference Section of the
SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

[VAN KAMPEN FUNDS LOGO]

The Fund's Investment Company Act
File No. is 811-4805.
SCGO PRO
10/00

<PAGE> 25

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VAN KAMPEN
SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund with the
investment objective to seek capital appreciation. The Fund's investment adviser
seeks to achieve the Fund's investment objective by investing primarily in
common stocks and other equity securities of small companies that the Fund's
investment adviser believes have above-average potential for capital
appreciation.

The Fund is organized as a diversified series of the Van Kampen Equity
Trust, an open-end, management investment company (the "Trust").

This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. This
Statement of Additional Information should be read in conjunction with the
Fund's prospectus (the "Prospectus") dated as of the same date as this Statement
of Additional Information. This Statement of Additional Information does not
include all the information that a prospective investor should consider before
purchasing shares of the Fund. Investors should obtain and read the Prospectus
prior to purchasing shares of the Fund. A Prospectus may be obtained without
charge by writing or calling Van Kampen Funds Inc. at 1 Parkview Plaza, PO Box
5555, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555 or (800) 341-2911 (or (800) 421-2833
for the hearing impaired).

---------------------------------------------

TABLE OF CONTENTS
---------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C>
General Information......................................... B-2
Investment Objective, Policies and Risks.................... B-3
Strategic Transactions...................................... B-16
Investment Restrictions..................................... B-24
Trustees and Officers....................................... B-25
Investment Advisory Agreement............................... B-36
Other Agreements............................................ B-36
Distribution and Service.................................... B-37
Transfer Agent.............................................. B-41
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation............. B-41
Shareholder Services........................................ B-42
Redemption of Shares........................................ B-45
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge-Class A.................... B-45
Waiver of Class B and Class C Contingent Deferred Sales
Charges................................................... B-46
Taxation.................................................... B-48
Fund Performance............................................ B-52
Other Information........................................... B-54
</TABLE>

THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DATED OCTOBER 19, 2000.

SCGO SAI 10/00

<PAGE> 26

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Fund is organized as a separate series of the Trust. The Trust is an
unincorporated business trust established under the laws of the State of
Delaware by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration of Trust")
dated May 10, 1995. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to create one
or more separate investment portfolios and issue a series of shares for each
portfolio, such as the Fund. The Trustees may create one or more classes of
shares for each such series.

The Trust was originally organized in 1987 under the name Van Kampen
Merritt Equity Trust as a Massachusetts business trust (the "Massachusetts
Trust"). The Massachusetts Trust was reorganized into the Trust under the name
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Trust on July 31, 1995. The Trust was created
for the purpose of facilitating the Massachusetts Trust reorganization into a
Delaware business trust. On July 14, 1998, the Trust adopted its current name.

The Fund was organized as a series of the Trust on January 27, 2000.

Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser" or "Advisory Corp."),
Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the "Distributor"), and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.
("Investor Services") are wholly owned subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments
Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. ("Morgan Stanley Dean Witter"). The principal
office of the Trust, the Fund, the Adviser, the Distributor and Van Kampen
Investments is located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
60181-5555. The principal office of Investor Services is located at 7501 Tiffany
Springs Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64153.

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter is a preeminent global financial services firm
that maintains leading market positions in each of its three primary businesses:
securities, asset management and credit services.

The authorized capitalization of the Trust consists of an unlimited number
of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share, which can be
divided into series, such as the Fund, and further subdivided into classes of
each series. Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets
of the series with each other share in such series and no interest in any other
series. No series is subject to the liabilities of any other series. The
Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders are not liable for any
liabilities of the Trust or any of its series, requires inclusion of a clause to
that effect in every agreement entered into by the Trust or any of its series
and indemnifies shareholders against any such liability.

The Fund currently offers three classes of shares, designated Class A
Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. Other classes may be established from
time to time in accordance with provisions of the Declaration of Trust. Each
class of shares of the Fund generally is identical in all respects except that
each class bears certain distribution expenses and has exclusive voting rights
with respect to its distribution fee. Shares of the Trust entitle their holders
to one vote per share; however, separate votes are taken by each series on
matters affecting an individual series and separate votes are taken by each
class of a series on matters affecting an individual class of such series. For
example, a change in investment policy for a series would be voted upon by
shareholders of only the series involved and a change in the distribution fee
for a class of a series would be voted upon by

B-2
<PAGE> 27

shareholders of only the class of such series involved. Except as otherwise
described in the Prospectus or herein, shares do not have cumulative voting
rights, preemptive rights or any conversion, subscription or exchange rights.

The Trust does not contemplate holding regular meetings of shareholders to
elect Trustees or otherwise. However, the holders of 10% or more of the
outstanding shares may by written request require a meeting to consider the
removal of Trustees by a vote of two-thirds of the shares then outstanding cast
in person or by proxy at such meeting. The Fund will assist such holders in
communicating with other shareholders of the Fund to the extent required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or rules or
regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

In the event of liquidation, each of the shares of the Fund is entitled to
its portion of all of the Fund's net assets after all debts and expenses of the
Fund have been paid. Since Class B Shares and Class C Shares have higher
distribution fees and transfer agency costs, the liquidation proceeds to holders
of Class B Shares and Class C Shares are likely to be less than the liquidation
proceeds to holders of Class A Shares.

The Trustees may amend the Declaration of Trust (including with respect to
any series) in any manner without shareholder approval, except that the Trustees
may not adopt any amendment adversely affecting the rights of shareholders of
any series without approval by a majority of the shares of each affected series
outstanding and entitled to vote (or such higher vote as may be required by the
1940 Act or other applicable law) and except that the Trustees cannot amend the
Declaration of Trust to impose any liability on shareholders, make any
assessment on shares or impose liabilities on the Trustees without approval from
each affected shareholder or Trustee, as the case may be.

Statements contained in this Statement of Additional Information as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract
or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Statement of Additional Information forms a part, each such statement being
qualified in all respects by such reference.

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, there were no
shares of the Fund issued or outstanding.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RISKS

The following disclosure supplements the disclosure set forth under the
same caption in the Prospectus and does not, standing alone, present a complete
or accurate explanation of the matters disclosed. Readers must refer also to
this caption in the Prospectus for a complete presentation of the matters
disclosed below.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements with broker-dealers, banks and
other financial institutions to earn a return on temporarily available cash. A
repurchase agreement is a short-term investment in which the purchaser (i.e.,
the Fund) acquires ownership of a security and the seller agrees to repurchase
the obligation at a future time and set price, thereby determining the yield
during the holding period. Repurchase

B-3
<PAGE> 28

agreements involve certain risks in the event of default by the other party. The
Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with broker dealers, banks and other
financial institutions deemed to be creditworthy by the Adviser under guidelines
approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Fund will not invest in repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days if any such investment, together
with any other illiquid securities held by the Fund, would exceed the Fund's
limitation on illiquid securities described herein. The Fund does not bear the
risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security unless the seller
defaults under its repurchase obligation. In the event of the bankruptcy or
other default of a seller of a repurchase agreement, the Fund could experience
both delays in liquidating the underlying securities and losses including: (a)
possible decline in the value of the underlying security during the period while
the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto; (b) possible lack of access to
income on the underlying security during this period; and (c) expenses of
enforcing its rights.

For the purpose of investing in repurchase agreements, the Adviser may
aggregate the cash that certain funds advised or subadvised by the Adviser or
certain of its affiliates would otherwise invest separately into a joint
account. The cash in the joint account is then invested in repurchase agreements
and the funds that contributed to the joint account share pro rata in the net
revenue generated. The Adviser believes that the joint account produces
efficiencies and economies of scale that may contribute to reduced transaction
costs, higher returns, higher quality investments and greater diversity of
investments for the Fund than would be available to the Fund investing
separately. The manner in which the joint account is managed is subject to
conditions set forth in an exemptive order from the SEC permitting this
practice, which conditions are designed to ensure the fair administration of the
joint account and to protect the amounts in that account.

Repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by the underlying securities
and are considered to be loans under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays for such
securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the
account of a custodian or bank acting as agent. The seller under a repurchase
agreement will be required to maintain the value of the underlying securities
marked-to-market daily at not less than the repurchase price. The underlying
securities (normally securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities) may have maturity dates exceeding one year.

BORROWING AND REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

The Fund may borrow money for investment purposes. The Fund may borrow
money from banks and engage in reverse repurchase agreements up to the amounts
allowable under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time (currently, up to
33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets, including the amount borrowed). The Fund may
also borrow money in an amount up to 5% of the Fund's total assets for temporary
purposes. The Fund has no current intention to borrow money other than for
temporary purposes.

Borrowing by the Fund creates an opportunity for increased net income but,
at the same time, creates special risk considerations such as greater volatility
in the net asset value of the shares and in the yield on the Fund's portfolio.
To the extent that the Fund is otherwise fully invested and the Adviser believes
that additional investment opportunities exist with the potential for capital
appreciation, the Fund may employ leverage for the purpose of acquiring
portfolio securities. Such utilization of leverage is considered speculative,
and involves risks. The assets of the Fund, including any additional assets

B-4
<PAGE> 29

which may be purchased with the proceeds of any borrowings, will consist
primarily of common stocks and other equity securities of growth companies, the
prices of which are volatile. In the event that the values of the Fund's
portfolio securities do not appreciate or, in fact, depreciate, the Fund would
be forced to liquidate a portion of its portfolio, which could be significant
depending upon the magnitude of the decline in value of the Fund's assets, to
pay interest on, and repay the principal of, any such borrowings. Even in the
event that any assets purchased with the proceeds of such borrowings appreciate
as anticipated by the Adviser, a portion of the Fund's assets may be required to
be liquidated to meet scheduled principal and interest payments with respect to
such borrowings. Any such liquidations may be at inopportune times and prices.
Utilization of investment leverage would result in a higher volatility of the
net asset value of the Fund. The effect of leverage in a declining market would
result in a greater decrease in net asset value to holders of the Fund's shares
than if the Fund were not leveraged. The extent to which the Fund may borrow
will depend upon the availability of credit. No assurance can be given that the
Fund will be able to borrow on terms acceptable to the Fund and the Adviser. The
Fund's use of leverage may impair the ability of the Fund to maintain its
qualification for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company.
The rights of any lenders to the Fund to receive payments of interest on and
repayments of principal of borrowings will be senior to the rights of the Fund's
shareholders, and the terms of the Fund's borrowings may contain provisions that
limit certain activities of the Fund and could result in precluding the purchase
of securities and instruments that the Fund would otherwise purchase.

Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by the Fund of portfolio assets
concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a
later date at a fixed price. During the reverse repurchase agreement period, the
Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on these securities.
The Fund will establish a segregated account with its custodian in which it will
maintain cash or liquid securities equal in value to its obligations in respect
of reverse repurchase agreements and, accordingly, the Fund will not treat such
obligations as senior securities for purposes of the 1940 Act. Reverse
repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities
retained by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund has
sold but is obligated to repurchase under the agreement. In the event the buyer
of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or
becomes insolvent, the Fund's use of the proceeds of the agreement may be
restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or
receiver, whether to enforce the Fund's obligation to repurchase the securities.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES, RIGHTS AND WARRANTS

The Fund may invest in convertible securities, rights and warrants. A
convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other
security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of
common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer or into
cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A
convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or
accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the
convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before
conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to
both debt and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to
decline as interest rates rise and, because of the

B-5
<PAGE> 30

conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the
underlying equity securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream
of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or
similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in
a corporation's capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable
nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate
directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying equity
securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected
by any such dividend changes or other changes in the underlying equity
securities. Rights and warrants are instruments giving holders the right, but
not the obligation, to buy shares of a company at a given price during a
specified period. Rights are similar to warrants except that they have a
substantially shorter duration. Rights and warrants may be considered more
speculative and less liquid than certain other types of investments in that they
do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the
underlying securities nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the
issuing company and may lack a secondary market. Equity-linked securities are
convertible instruments whose value is based upon the value of one or more
underlying equity securities, a reference rate or an index. Equity-linked
securities come in many forms and may include features, among others, such as
the following: (i) may be issued by the issuer of the underlying equity security
or by a company other than the one to which the instrument is linked (usually an
investment bank), (ii) may convert into equity securities, such as common stock,
within a stated period from the issue date or may be redeemed for cash or some
combination of cash and the linked security at a value based upon the value of
the underlying equity security within a stated period from the issue date, (iii)
may have various conversion features prior to maturity at the option of the
holder or the issuer or both, (iv) may limit the appreciation value with caps or
collars of the value of the underlying equity security and (v) may have fixed,
variable or no interest payments during the life of the security which reflect
the actual or a structured return relative to the underlying dividends of the
linked equity security. Investments in equity-linked securities may subject the
Fund to additional risks not ordinarily associated with investments in other
equity securities. Because equity-linked securities are sometimes issued by a
third party other than the issuer of the linked security, the Fund is subject to
risks if the underlying stock underperforms and if the issuer defaults on the
payment of the dividend or the common stock at maturity. In addition, the
trading market for particular equity-linked securities may be less liquid,
making it difficult for the Fund to dispose of a particular security when
necessary and reduced liquidity in the secondary market for any such securities
may make it more difficult to obtain market quotations for valuing the Fund's
portfolio.

LENDING OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 50% of its
total assets to broker-dealers, banks and other institutional borrowers of
securities. Such loans must be callable at any time and the borrower at all
times. The Fund may lend investment securities to qualified institutional
investors who need to borrow securities in order to complete certain
transactions, such as covering short sales, avoiding failures to deliver
securities or completing arbitrage operations. By lending its investment
securities, the Fund attempts to increase its net investment income through the
receipt of interest on the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the
securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the
account of the Fund. The Fund may lend its investment

B-6
<PAGE> 31

securities to qualified brokers-dealers, domestic and foreign banks or other
institutional borrowers, so long as the terms, structure and the aggregate
amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, or the rules and
regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder, which currently require
that (a) the borrower pledge and maintain with the Fund collateral consisting of
cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a domestic U.S. bank, or liquid
securities having a value at all times not less than 100% of the value of the
securities loaned, including accrued interest, (b) the borrower add to such
collateral whenever the price of the securities loaned rises (i.e., the borrower
"marks to the market" on a daily basis), (c) the loan be made subject to
termination by the Fund at any time, and (d) the Fund receive reasonable
interest on the loan (which may include the Fund investing any cash collateral
in interest bearing short-term investments), any distributions on the loaned
securities and any increase in their market value. There may be risks of delay
in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should
the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will only be
made to borrowers deemed by the Adviser to be of good standing and when, in the
judgment of the Adviser, the consideration which can be earned currently from
such securities loans justifies the attendant risk. All relevant facts and
circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the broker-dealer, bank or
institution, will be considered in making decisions with respect to the lending
of securities, subject to review by the Fund's Board of Trustees.

At the present time, the staff of the SEC does not object if an investment
company pays reasonable negotiated fees in connection with loaned securities, so
long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved by the
investment company's Board of Trustees. In addition, voting rights may pass with
a loaned security, but if a material event will occur affecting the loaned
security, the loan must be called and the security voted by the Fund.

"WHEN-ISSUED" AND "DELAYED DELIVERY" TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities on a "when-issued" and
"delayed delivery" basis. No income accrues to the Fund on securities in
connection with such purchase transactions prior to the date the Fund actually
takes delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market
fluctuation; the value of the securities at delivery may be more or less than
their purchase price, and yields generally available on comparable securities
when delivery occurs may be higher or lower than yields on the securities
obtained pursuant to such transactions. Because the Fund relies on the buyer or
seller, as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, failure by the other
party to complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity
of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. When the Fund is
the buyer in such a transaction, however, it will maintain, in a segregated
account with its custodian, cash or portfolio securities having an aggregate
value equal to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made.
The Fund will make commitments to purchase securities on such basis only with
the intention of actually acquiring these securities, but the Fund may sell such
securities prior to the settlement date if such sale is considered to be
advisable. To the extent the Fund engages in "when-issued" and "delayed
delivery" transactions, it will do so for the purpose of acquiring securities
for the Fund's portfolio consistent with the Fund's investment objective and
policies and not for the purpose of investment leverage.

B-7
<PAGE> 32

SHORT SALES

The Fund may engage in "short-sales against the box." A short sale is a
transaction in which the Fund would sell securities it does not own (but has
borrowed) in anticipation of a decline in the market price of securities. A
short-sale against the box is a transaction where at all times when the short
position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities or securities
convertible or exchangeable into such securities without payment of additional
consideration. The Fund will not engage in short sales other than against the
box. When the Fund makes a short sale, it must borrow the security sold short
and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale in
order to satisfy its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the
sale. The Fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is
often obligated to pay to the lender any payments received on such borrowed
securities. The Fund's obligation to replace the borrowed security will be
secured by collateral of cash or liquid securities. Depending on arrangements
made with the broker-dealer from which it borrowed the security, the Fund may
not receive any payments (including interest) on its collateral. If the price of
the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the
time the Fund replaces the borrowed security, the Fund will incur a capital
loss; conversely, if the price declines, the Fund will realize a capital gain.
Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs
described above. Although the Fund's gain is limited to the price at which it
sold the security short, its potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities for a fiscal year by the average
monthly value of the Fund's portfolio securities during such fiscal year. The
turnover rate may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a year.

FOREIGN INVESTING

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers. Such securities may
be denominated in U.S. dollars and in currencies other than U.S. dollars. The
percentage of assets invested in securities of a particular country or
denominated in a particular currency will vary in accordance with the Adviser's
assessment of the relative yield, appreciation potential and the relationship of
a country's currency to the U.S. dollar, which is based upon such factors as
fundamental economic strength, credit quality and interest rate trends.
Investments in foreign securities present certain risks not ordinarily
associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These risks include
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, political, economic or legal
developments (including war or other instability, expropriation of assets,
nationalization and confiscatory taxation), the imposition of foreign exchange
limitations (including currency blockage), withholding taxes on income or
capital transactions or other restrictions, higher transaction costs (including
higher brokerage, custodial and settlement costs and currency translation costs)
and possible difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations or taking judicial
action. Also, foreign securities may not be as liquid and may be more volatile
than comparable domestic securities.

In addition, there often is less publicly available information about many
foreign issuers, and issuers of foreign securities are subject to different,
often less comprehensive,

B-8
<PAGE> 33

auditing, accounting, and financial reporting disclosure requirements than
domestic issuers. There is generally less government regulation of stock
exchanges, brokers and listed companies abroad than in the United States, and,
with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of
expropriation or confiscatory taxation, or diplomatic developments which could
affect investment in those countries. Because there is usually less supervision
and governmental regulation of foreign exchanges, brokers and dealers than there
is in the United States, the Fund may experience settlement difficulties or
delays not usually encountered in the United States.

Delays in making trades in foreign securities relating to volume
constraints, limitations or restrictions, clearance or settlement procedures, or
otherwise could impact yields and result in temporary periods when assets are
not fully invested or attractive investment opportunities are foregone.

In addition to the increased risks of investing in foreign issuers, there
are often increased transaction costs associated with investing in foreign
securities including the costs incurred in connection with converting
currencies, higher foreign brokerage or dealer costs, and higher settlement
costs or custodial costs.

The governments of some countries have been engaged in programs of selling
part or all of their stakes in government owned or controlled enterprises
("privatization"). The Adviser believes that privatization may offer investors
opportunities for significant capital appreciation and intends to invest assets
of the Fund in privatization in appropriate circumstances. In certain countries,
the ability of foreign entities, such as the Fund, to participate in
privatization may be limited by local law, or the terms on which the Fund may be
permitted to participate may be less advantageous than those for local
investors. There can be no assurance that governments will continue to sell
companies currently owned or controlled by them or that any privatization
programs in which the Fund participates will be successful.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risks. To the extent the Fund invests in
securities denominated or quoted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the
Fund will be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates (and
exchange control regulations) which affect the value of investments in the Fund
and the accrued income and unrealized appreciation or depreciation of the
investments. Changes in foreign currency exchange ratios relative to the U.S.
dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of the Fund's assets denominated in
that currency and the Fund's yield on such assets as well as any temporary
uninvested reserves in bank deposits in foreign currencies. In addition, the
Fund will incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
The Fund does not intend to invest in any security in a country where the
currency is not freely convertible to U.S. dollars, unless the Fund has obtained
the necessary governmental licensing to convert such currency or other
appropriately licensed or sanctioned contractual guarantee to protect such
investment against loss of that currency's external value, or the Fund has a
reasonable expectation at the time the investment is made that such governmental
licensing or other appropriately licensed or sanctioned guarantee would be
obtained or that the currency in which the security is quoted would be freely
convertible at the time of any proposed sale of the security by the Fund.

The Fund's foreign currency exchange transactions may be conducted on a
spot basis (that is, cash basis) at the spot rate for purchasing or selling
currency prevailing in the

B-9
<PAGE> 34

foreign currency exchange market. The Fund also may enter into contracts with
banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies
at a future date ("forward contracts"). A foreign currency forward contract is a
negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified
amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can
be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the
subject of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market
conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and
their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no
commissions are charged at any stage for such trades.

The Fund may attempt to protect against adverse changes in the value of the
U.S. dollar in relation to a foreign currency by entering into a forward
contract for the purchase or sale of the foreign currency in which the security
is denominated, or by buying or selling a foreign currency option or futures
contract for such currency. Such strategies may be employed before the Fund
purchases a foreign security traded in the currency which the Fund anticipates
acquiring or between the date the foreign security is purchased or sold and the
date on which payment therefor is made or received. Seeking to protect against a
change in the value of a foreign currency in the foregoing manner does not
eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses
if the prices of such securities decline. Furthermore, such transactions reduce
or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in
the direction opposite to the position taken. Unanticipated changes in currency
prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not
entered into such contracts. The Fund generally will not enter into a forward
contract with a term of greater than one year. At the maturity of a forward
contract, the Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency specified
in the contract or, prior to maturity, enter into a closing purchase transaction
involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing purchase
transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the
currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract. The Fund will
only enter into such a forward contract if it is expected that there will be a
liquid market in which to close out such contract. There can, however, be no
assurance that such a liquid market will exist in which to close a forward
contract, in which case the Fund may suffer a loss.

It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of a
particular portfolio security at the expiration of the contract. Accordingly, it
may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional foreign currency on the
spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the
security is less than the amount of foreign currency that the Fund is obligated
to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of
the foreign currency. If the Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund
will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that there has been movement in
forward contract prices. Should forward prices decline during the period between
the Fund entering into a forward contract for the sale of a foreign currency and
the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the foreign
currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent that the price of the
currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed
to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Fund would suffer a loss to the
extent that the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the
price of the currency it has agreed to sell.

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<PAGE> 35

The Fund is not required to enter into such transactions with regard to its
foreign currency-denominated securities. It also should be realized that this
method of protecting the value of portfolio securities against a decline in the
value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of
the securities. It simply establishes a rate of exchange which one can achieve
at some future point in time. In addition. although such contracts tend to
minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency,
at the same time, they tend to limit any potential gain which might result
should the value of such currency increase.

The Fund may cross-hedge currencies by entering into a transaction to
purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value
relative to other currencies to which a portfolio has or expects to have
portfolio exposure. The Fund may also engage in proxy hedging, which is defined
as entering into positions in one currency to hedge investments denominated in
another currency, where two currencies are economically linked. The Fund's entry
into forward contracts, as well as any use of proxy or cross hedging techniques,
will generally require the Fund to hold liquid securities or cash equal to the
Fund's obligations in a segregated account throughout the duration of the
contract. The Fund may combine forward contracts with investments in securities
denominated in other currencies in order to achieve desired security and
currency exposures. Such combinations are generally referred to as synthetic
securities. For example, in lieu of purchasing a foreign bond, the Fund may
purchase a U.S. dollar-denominated security and at the same time enter into a
forward contract to exchange U.S. dollars for the contract's underlying currency
at a future date. By matching the amount of U.S. dollars to be exchanged with
the anticipated value of the U.S. dollar-denominated security, the Fund may be
able to lock in the foreign currency value of the security and adopt a synthetic
position reflecting the credit quality of the U.S. dollar-denominated security.

To the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Fund
will earmark or place cash or other liquid assets into a segregated account in
an amount equal to the value of the Fund's total assets committed to the
consummation of forward foreign currency exchange contracts. If the value of the
securities placed in the segregated account declines, additional cash or liquid
assets will be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of the
account will be at least equal to the amount of the Fund's commitments with
respect to such contracts. See also "Strategic Transactions".

Foreign Currency Exchange-Related Securities. Foreign currency warrants are
warrants which entitle the holder to receive from their issuer an amount of cash
(generally, for warrants issued in the United States, in U.S. dollars) which is
calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula and based on the exchange rate
between a specified foreign currency and the U.S. dollar as of the exercise date
of the warrant. Foreign currency warrants generally are exercisable upon their
issuance and expire as of a specified date and time. Foreign currency warrants
have been issued in connection with U.S. dollar-denominated debt offerings by
major corporate issuers in an attempt to reduce the foreign currency exchange
risk which, from the point of view of prospective purchasers of the securities,
is inherent in the international fixed-income marketplace. Foreign currency
warrants may attempt to reduce the foreign exchange risk assumed by purchasers
of a security by, for example, providing for a supplemental payment in the event
that the U.S. dollar depreciates against the value of a major foreign currency
such as the Japanese Yen or German Deutschmark. The formula used to determine
the amount payable upon

B-11
<PAGE> 36

exercise of a foreign currency warrant may make the warrant worthless unless the
applicable foreign currency exchange rate moves in a particular direction (e.g.,
unless the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates against the particular foreign
currency to which the warrant is linked or indexed). Foreign currency warrants
are severable from the debt obligations with which they may be offered, and may
be listed on exchanges. Foreign currency warrants may be exercisable only in
certain minimum amounts, and an investor wishing to exercise warrants who
possesses less than the minimum number required for exercise may be required
either to sell the warrants or to purchase additional warrants, thereby
incurring additional transaction costs. In the case of any exercise of warrants,
there may be a time delay between the time a holder of warrants gives
instructions to exercise and the time the exchange rate relating to exercise is
determined, during which time the exchange rate could change significantly,
thereby affecting both the market and cash settlement values of the warrants
being exercised. The expiration date of the warrants may be accelerated if the
warrants should be delisted from an exchange or if their trading should be
suspended permanently, which would result in the loss of any remaining "time
value" of the warrants (i.e., the difference between the current market value
and the exercise value of the warrants), and, in the case where the warrants
were "out-of-the-money," in a total loss of the purchase price of the warrants.
Warrants are generally unsecured obligations of their issuers and are not
standardized foreign currency options issued by the Options Clearing Corporation
("OCC"). Unlike foreign currency options issued by the OCC, the terms of foreign
exchange warrants generally will not be amended in the event of governmental or
regulatory actions affecting exchange rates or in the event of the imposition of
other regulatory controls affecting the international currency markets. The
initial public offering price of foreign currency warrants is generally
considerably in excess of the price that a commercial user of foreign currencies
might pay in the interbank market for a comparable option involving
significantly larger amounts of foreign currencies. Foreign currency warrants
are subject to complex political or economic factors.

Principal exchange rate linked securities are debt obligations the
principal on which is payable at maturity in an amount that may vary based on
the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a particular foreign currency at
or about that time. The return on "standard" principal exchange rate linked
securities is enhanced if the foreign currency to which the security is linked
appreciates against the U.S. dollar, and is adversely affected by increases in
the foreign exchange value of the U.S. dollar; "reverse" principal exchange rate
linked securities are like the "standard" securities, except that their return
is enhanced by increases in the value of the U.S. dollar and adversely impacted
by increases in the value of foreign currency. Interest payments on the
securities are generally made in U.S. dollars at rates that reflect the degree
of foreign currency risk assumed or given up by the purchaser of the notes
(i.e., at relatively higher interest rates if the purchaser has assumed some of
the foreign exchange risk, or relatively lower interest rates if the issuer has
assumed some of the foreign exchange risk, based on the expectations of the
current market). Principal exchange rate linked securities may in limited cases
be subject to acceleration of maturity (generally, not without the consent of
the holders of the securities), which may have an adverse impact on the value of
the principal payment to be made at maturity.

Depositary Receipts. The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), European Depositary Receipts
("EDRs") and other depositary receipts, to the extent that such depositary
receipts

B-12
<PAGE> 37

become available. ADRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial
institution (a "depositary"), that evidence ownership interests in a security or
a pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer (the "underlying issuer") and
deposited with the depositary. ADRs include American Depositary Shares and New
York Shares and may be "sponsored" or "unsponsored." Sponsored ADRs are
established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer, whereas
unsponsored ADRs may be established by a depositary without participation by the
underlying issuer. GDRs, EDRs and other types of depositary receipts are
typically issued by foreign depositories, although they may also be issued by
U.S. depositories, and evidence ownership interests in a security or pool of
securities issued by either a foreign or a U.S. corporation.

Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs
associated with establishing the unsponsored depositary receipt. The depositary
of an unsponsored depositary receipt is under no obligation to distribute
shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass
through to the holders of the unsponsored depositary receipt voting rights with
respect to the deposited securities or pool of securities. Depositary receipts
are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying
securities to which they may be connected. Generally, depositary receipts in
registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities market and
depositary receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets
outside the U.S. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the Fund's
investments in depositary receipts will be deemed to be investments in the
underlying securities, and, as such, are deemed to be investments in foreign
securities.

Eurodollar and Yankee Obligations. Eurodollar bank obligations are
dollar-denominated certificates of deposit and time deposits issued outside the
U.S. capital markets by foreign branches of banks and by foreign banks. Yankee
bank obligations are dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital
markets by foreign banks.

Eurodollar and Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that
pertain to domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk.
In addition, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee) obligations are
subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a
sovereign country might prevent capital, in the form of dollars, from flowing
across its borders. Other risks include: adverse political and economic
developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial
markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes, and the
expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.

Investing in Emerging Market Countries. The risks of foreign investment are
heightened when the issuer is from an emerging market country. The extent of
economic development, political stability and market depth of such countries
varies widely and investments in the securities of issuers in such countries
typically involve greater potential gain or loss than investments in securities
of issuers in more developed countries. Emerging market countries tend to have
economic structures that are less diverse and mature and political systems that
are less stable than developed markets. Emerging market countries may be more
likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in economic conditions
than more developed markets and the financial condition of issuers in emerging
market countries may be more precarious than in other countries. Certain
countries depend to a larger degree upon international trade or development
assistance and, therefore, are vulnerable to changes in trade or assistance
which, in turn, may be affected by a variety of

B-13
<PAGE> 38

factors. The Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in the economies of
certain countries resulting from any reversal of economic liberalization,
political unrest or the imposition of sanctions by the U.S. or other countries.

The Fund's purchase and sale of portfolio securities in emerging market
countries may be constrained by limitations as to daily changes in the prices of
listed securities, periodic or sporadic trading or settlement or limitations on
aggregate holdings by foreign investors. Such limitations may be computed based
on the aggregate trading volume by or holdings of the Fund, the Fund's
investment adviser, its affiliates or their respective clients or other service
providers. The Fund may not be able to sell securities in circumstances where
price, trading or settlement volume limitations have been reached. Foreign
investment in the securities markets of certain emerging market countries is
restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may limit investment in such
countries or increase the administrative costs of such investments. For example,
certain countries may require governmental approval prior to investments by
foreign persons or limit investment by foreign persons to only a specified
percentage of an issuer's outstanding securities or a specific class of
securities which may have less advantageous terms (including price) than
securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. In addition,
certain countries may restrict or prohibit investment opportunities in issuers
or industries deemed important to national interests. Such restrictions may
affect the market price, liquidity and rights of securities that may be
purchased by the Fund. The repatriation of both investment income and capital
from certain emerging market countries is subject to restrictions such as the
need for governmental consents. Due to restrictions on direct investment in
securities in certain countries, it is anticipated that the Fund may invest in
such countries through other investment funds in such countries.

Many emerging market countries have experienced currency devaluations and
substantial (and, in some cases, extremely high) rates of inflation, which have
had a negative effect on the economies and securities markets of such countries.
Economies in emerging market countries generally are dependent heavily upon
commodity prices and international trade and, accordingly, have been and may
continue to be affected adversely by the economies of their trading partners,
trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency
values and other protectionist measures or negotiated by the countries with
which they trade.

Many emerging market countries are subject to a substantial degree of
economic, political and social instability. Governments of some emerging
countries are authoritarian in nature or have been installed or removed as a
result of military coups, while governments in other emerging market countries
have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth,
the pace and success of political reforms, and ethnic, religious and racial
disaffection, among other factors, have also led to social unrest, violence
and/or labor unrest in some emerging market countries. Unanticipated political
or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses.

Settlement procedures in emerging market countries are frequently less
developed and reliable than those in developed markets. In addition, significant
delays are common in certain markets in registering the transfer of securities.
Settlement or registration problems may make it more difficult for the Fund to
value its portfolio securities and could cause the Fund to miss attractive
investment opportunities, to have a portion of its assets uninvested or to incur
losses due to the failure of a counterparty to pay for securities the

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Fund has delivered or the Fund's inability to complete its contractual
obligations. The creditworthiness of the local securities firms used by the Fund
in emerging market countries may not be as sound as the creditworthiness of
firms used in more developed countries. As a result, the Fund may be subject to
a greater risk of loss if a securities firm defaults in the performance of its
responsibilities.

The small size and inexperience of the securities markets in certain
emerging market countries and the limited volume of trading in securities in
those countries may make the Fund's investments in such countries less liquid
and more volatile than investments in countries with more developed securities
markets. The Fund's investments in emerging market countries are subject to the
risk that the liquidity of a particular investment, or investments generally, in
such countries will shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result
of adverse economic, market or political conditions or adverse investor
perceptions, whether or not accurate. Because of the lack of sufficient market
liquidity, the Fund may incur losses because it will be required to effect sales
at a disadvantageous time and only then at a substantial drop in price.
Investments in emerging market countries may be more difficult to price
precisely because of the characteristics discussed above and lower trading
volumes.

The Fund's use of foreign currency management techniques in emerging market
countries may be limited. Due to the limited market for these instruments in
emerging market countries, the Adviser does not currently anticipate that a
significant portion of the Fund's currency exposure in emerging market
countries, if any, will be covered by such instruments.

ILLIQUID SECURITIES

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities,
which includes securities that are not readily marketable, repurchase agreements
which have a maturity of longer than seven days and generally includes
securities that are restricted from sale to the public without registration
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). The sale of such
securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or
dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of liquid
securities trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter
markets. Restricted securities are often purchased at a discount from the market
price of unrestricted securities of the same issuer reflecting the fact that
such securities may not be readily marketable without some time delay.
Investments in securities for which market quotations are not readily available
are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser in
accordance with procedures approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees. Ordinarily,
the Fund would invest in restricted securities only when it receives the
issuer's commitment to register the securities without expense to the Fund.
However, registration and underwriting expenses (which typically range from 7%
to 15% of the gross proceeds of the securities sold) may be paid by the Fund.
Restricted securities which can be offered and sold to qualified institutional
buyers under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act ("144A Securities") and are determined
to be liquid under guidelines adopted by and subject to the supervision of the
Fund's Board of Trustees are not subject to the limitation on illiquid
securities. Such 144A Securities are subject to monitoring and may become
illiquid to the extent qualified institutional buyers become, for a time,
uninterested in purchasing such securities. Factors used to determine whether
144A Securities are liquid include, among

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<PAGE> 40

other things, a security's trading history, the availability of reliable pricing
information, the number of dealers making quotes or making a market in such
security and the number of potential purchasers in the market for such security.
For purposes hereof, investments by the Fund in securities of other investment
companies will not be considered investments in restricted securities to the
extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief (such as "no action" letters
issued by the staff of the SEC interpreting or providing guidance on the 1940
Act or regulations thereunder) from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended
from time to time. If the Fund invests in such investment companies or
investment funds, the Fund's shareholders will bear not only their proportionate
share of the expenses of the Fund (including operating expenses and the fees of
the Adviser), but also will indirectly bear similar expenses of the underlying
investment companies or investment fund.

STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may, but is not required to, use various investment strategies as
described below to facilitate portfolio management and mitigate risks.
Techniques and instruments may change over time as new instruments and
strategies are developed or regulatory changes occur. Although the Adviser seeks
to use such transactions to further the Fund's investment objective, no
assurance can be given that the use of these transactions will achieve this
result.

In the course of pursuing these investment strategies, the Fund may
purchase and sell derivative securities such as exchange-listed and
over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures, equity,
fixed-income and interest rate indices and other financial instruments, purchase
and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, and enter into various
currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures
contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures
(collectively, all the above are called "Strategic Transactions"). Among other
things, Strategic Transactions may be used to attempt to protect against
possible changes in the market value of securities held in or to be purchased
for the Fund's portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange
markets, to protect the Fund's unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio
securities, to facilitate the sale of such securities for investment purposes,
or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a temporary substitute
for purchasing or selling particular securities.

Any or all of these investment techniques may be used at any time and there
is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than
another, as use of any Strategic Transaction is a function of numerous variables
including market conditions. The ability of the Fund to utilize these Strategic
Transactions successfully will depend on the Adviser's ability to predict
pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The Fund will comply with
applicable regulatory requirements when implementing these strategies,
techniques and instruments.

Strategic Transactions have risks associated with them including possible
default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent
the Adviser's view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that
the use of such Strategic Transactions could result in losses greater than if
they had not been used. Use of put and call options

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<PAGE> 41

may result in losses to the Fund, force the sale or purchase of portfolio
securities at inopportune times or for prices other than current market values,
limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on its investments or
cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell. The use of currency
transactions can result in the Fund incurring losses as a result of a number of
factors including the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of
settlements, or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency. The
use of options and futures transactions entails certain other risks. In
particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of
futures contracts and price movements in the related portfolio position of the
Fund creates the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument may be
greater than gains in the value of the Fund's position. In addition, futures and
options markets may not be liquid in all circumstances and certain
over-the-counter options may have no markets. As a result, in certain markets,
the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring
substantial losses, if at all. Although the use of these futures contracts and
options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to
a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time they tend to
limit any potential gain which might result from an increase in value of such
position. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts
would create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of
options, where the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium.
Losses resulting from the use of Strategic Transactions would reduce net asset
value, and possibly income, and such losses can be greater than if the Strategic
Transactions had not been utilized. Income earned or deemed to be earned, if
any, by the Fund from its Strategic Transactions will generally be taxable.

OPTIONS

Put options and call options typically have similar structural
characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying
instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general
discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in
greater detail below. In addition, many Strategic Transactions involving options
require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts, as described below under
"Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts."

A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium,
the right to sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying
security, commodity, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price.
For instance, the Fund's purchase of a put option on a security might be
designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some
cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value
by giving the Fund the right to sell such instrument at the option exercise
price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the
option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying
instrument at the exercise price. The Fund's purchase of a call option on a
security, financial future, index, currency or other instrument might be
intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying
instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at
which it may purchase such instrument. An American style put or call option may
be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or
call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior
thereto. The Fund is authorized to purchase and sell exchange listed options and
over-the-counter options ("OTC options"). Exchange listed options are issued by
a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which
guarantees the performance of the

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<PAGE> 42

obligations of the parties to such options. The discussion below uses the OCC as
a paradigm, but is also applicable to other financial intermediaries.

With certain exceptions, OCC issued and exchange listed options generally
settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although in
the future cash settlement may become available. Index options and Eurodollar
instruments are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is
"in-the-money" (i.e., where the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in
the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the
exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently,
rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the
process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into
offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the
new option.

The Fund's ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an
OCC or exchange listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the
liquidity of the option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a
liquid option market on an exchange are: (i) insufficient trading interest in
certain options; (ii) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange; (iii)
trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to
particular classes or series of options or underlying securities including
reaching daily price limits; (iv) interruption of the normal operations of the
OCC or an exchange; (v) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or OCC to
handle current trading volume; or (vi) a decision by one or more exchanges to
discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options),
in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease
to exist, although outstanding options on that exchange would generally continue
to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours
during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that
the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial
instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the
underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the option markets.

OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial
institutions or other parties ("Counterparties") through direct bilateral
agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange listed options, which
generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all the terms of an
OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price,
premium, guarantees and security, are set by negotiation of the parties.

Unless the parties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty
function in an OTC option. As a result, if the Counterparty fails to make or
take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC
option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement
payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any
premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the
transaction. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of each
such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty's
credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be
satisfied. The Fund will engage in OTC option transactions only with U.S.
government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
as "primary dealers", or broker dealers, domestic or foreign banks or other
financial institutions which

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have received (or the guarantors of the obligation of which have received) a
short-term credit rating of "A-1" from Standard & Poor's ("S&P") or "P-1" from
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or an equivalent rating from any
other nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO"). The staff
of the SEC currently takes the position that in general, OTC options on
securities other than U.S. government securities purchased by the Fund, and
portfolio securities "covering" the amount of the Fund's obligation pursuant to
an OTC option sold by it (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money
amount, if any) are illiquid, and are subject to the Fund's limitation on
illiquid securities described herein.

If the Fund sells a call option, the premium that it receives may serve as
a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against a decrease in the
value of the underlying securities or instruments in its portfolio or will
increase the Fund's income. The sale of put options can also provide income.

The Fund may purchase and sell call or put options on securities, including
U.S. Treasury and agency securities, foreign sovereign debt, mortgage-backed
securities, corporate debt securities, Eurodollar instruments and foreign debt
securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the
over-the-counter markets and related futures on such securities, indices,
currencies and futures. All calls sold by the Fund must be "covered" (i.e., the
Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call) or must
meet the asset segregation requirements described below as long as the call is
outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help
protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund exposes the Fund during the
term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in
the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the
Fund to hold a security or instrument which it might otherwise have sold. In
selling put options, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the
underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.

FUTURES

The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts or purchase or sell put
and call options on such futures as a hedge against anticipated interest rate,
currency, equity or fixed-income market changes and for risk management
purposes. Futures generally are bought and sold on the commodities exchanges
where they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described
below. The purchase of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund,
as purchaser, to take delivery from the seller the specific type of financial
instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified
price. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as
seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called
for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or, with
respect to index futures and Eurodollar instruments, the net cash amount).
Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that an
option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right in return for the
premium paid to assume a position in a futures contract and obligates the seller
to deliver such option.

The Fund's use of financial futures and options thereon will in all cases
be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular the
rules and regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and
will be entered into only for bona fide hedging, risk management or other
portfolio management purposes. Typically,

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maintaining a futures contract or selling an option thereon requires the Fund to
deposit with a financial intermediary as security for its obligations an amount
of cash or other specified assets (initial margin) which initially is typically
1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some
circumstances). Additional cash or assets (variation margin) may be required to
be deposited thereafter on a daily basis as the mark to market value of the
contract fluctuates. The purchase of options on financial futures involves
payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part
of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be
obligated to post initial margin (and potential subsequent variation margin) for
the resulting futures position just as it would for any position. Futures
contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an
offsetting transaction but there can be no assurance that the position can be
offset prior to settlement at an advantageous price nor that delivery will
occur.

The Fund will not enter into a futures contract or related option (except
for closing transactions) for other than bona fide hedging purposes if,
immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of its initial margin and premiums
on open futures contracts and options thereon would exceed 5% of the Fund's
total assets (taken at current value); however, in the case of an option that is
in-the-money at the time of the purchase, the in-the-money amount may be
excluded in calculating the 5% limitation. The segregation requirements with
respect to futures contracts and options thereon are described below.

OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES AND OTHER FINANCIAL INDICES

The Fund also may purchase and sell call and put options on securities
indices and other financial indices and in so doing can achieve many of the same
objectives it would achieve through the sale or purchase of options on
individual securities or other instruments. Options on securities indices and
other financial indices are similar to options on a security or other instrument
except that, rather than settling by physical delivery of the underlying
instrument, they settle by cash settlement, i.e., an option on an index gives
the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash
if the closing level of the index upon which the option is based exceeds, in the
case of a call, or is less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the
option (except if, in the case of an OTC option, physical delivery is
specified). This amount of cash is equal to the excess of the closing price of
the index over the exercise price of the option, which also may be multiplied by
a formula value. The seller of the option is obligated, in return for the
premium received, to make delivery of this amount. The gain or loss on an option
on an index depends on price movements in the instruments making up the market,
market segment, industry or other composite on which the underlying index is
based, rather than price movements in individual securities, as is the case with
respect to options on securities.

CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

The Fund may engage in currency transactions with Counterparties in order
to manage the value of currencies against fluctuations in relative value.
Currency transactions include forward currency contracts, exchange listed
currency futures, exchange listed and OTC options on currencies, and currency
swaps. A forward currency contract involves a privately negotiated obligation to
purchase or sell (with delivery generally required) a specific currency at a
future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date

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<PAGE> 45

of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the
contract. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the
notional difference among two or more currencies and operates similarly to an
interest rate swap, which is described below. The Fund may enter into currency
transactions with Counterparties rated A-1 or P-1 by S&P or Moody's,
respectively, or that have an equivalent rating from an NRSRO or (except for OTC
options) are determined to be of equivalent credit quality by the Adviser.

The Fund's dealings in forward currency contracts and other currency
transactions such as futures, options, options on futures and swaps will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio
positions. Transaction hedging is entering into a currency transaction with
respect to specific assets or liabilities of the Fund, which will generally
arise in connection with the purchase or sale of its portfolio securities or the
receipt of income therefrom. Position hedging is entering into a currency
transaction with respect to portfolio security positions denominated or
generally quoted in that currency.

The Fund will not enter into a transaction to hedge currency exposure to an
extent greater, after netting all transactions intended to wholly or partially
offset other transactions, than the aggregate market value (at the time of
entering into the transaction) of the securities held in its portfolio that are
denominated or generally quoted in or currently convertible into such currency
other than with respect to cross-hedging or proxy hedging as described below.

The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into transactions to
purchase or sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value
relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects
to have portfolio exposure.

To reduce the effect of currency fluctuations on the value of existing or
anticipated holdings of portfolio securities, the Fund may also engage in proxy
hedging. Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund's
portfolio is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy
hedging entails entering into a forward contract to sell a currency whose
changes in value are generally considered to be linked to a currency or
currencies in which some or all of the Fund's portfolio securities are or are
expected to be denominated, and to buy U.S. dollars. The amount of the contract
would not exceed the value of the Fund's securities denominated in linked
currencies. For example, if the Adviser considers the Austrian schilling is
linked to the German deutschemark (the "D-mark"), the Fund holds securities
denominated in Austrian schillings and the Adviser believes that the value of
schillings will decline against the U.S. dollar, the Adviser may enter into a
contract to sell D-marks and buy dollars. Currency hedging involves some of the
same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments.
Currency transactions can result in losses to the Fund if the currency being
hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not
anticipated. Further, there is the risk that the perceived linkage between
various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the
particular time that the Fund is engaging in proxy hedging. If the Fund enters
into a currency hedging transaction, the Fund will comply with the asset
segregation requirements described below.

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<PAGE> 46

RISKS OF CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Currency transactions are subject to risks different from other
transactions. Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing
governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of
currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government
exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed
by governments. These can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to
deliver or receive currency or funds in settlement of obligations and could also
cause hedges it has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in full
currency exposure as well as incurring transaction costs. Buyers and sellers of
currency futures are subject to the same risks that apply to the use of futures
generally. Further, settlement of a currency futures contract for the purchase
of most currencies must occur at a bank based in the issuing nation. Trading
options on currency futures is relatively new, and the ability to establish and
close out positions on such options is subject to the maintenance of a liquid
market which may not always be available. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate
based on factors extrinsic to that country's economy.

COMBINED TRANSACTIONS

Fund may enter into multiple transactions, including multiple options
transactions, multiple futures transactions and multiple currency transactions
(including forward currency contracts) and any combination of futures, options
and currency transactions ("component" transactions), instead of a single
Strategic Transaction, as part of a single or combined strategy when, in the
opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A
combined transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in
each of its component transactions. Although combined transactions are normally
entered into based on the Adviser's judgment that the combined strategies will
reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio
management goal, it is possible that the combination will instead increase such
risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

RISKS OF STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES

When conducted outside the United States, Strategic Transactions may not be
regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing
mechanism and related guarantees, and are subject to the risk of governmental
actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies
and other instruments. The value of such positions also could be adversely
affected by: (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors,
(ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make
trading decisions, (iii) delays in the Fund's ability to act upon economic
events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United
States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and
procedures and margin requirements than in the United States, and (v) lower
trading volume and liquidity.

USE OF SEGREGATED AND OTHER SPECIAL ACCOUNTS

Many Strategic Transactions, in addition to other requirements, require
that the Fund segregate cash or liquid securities with its custodian to the
extent Fund obligations are not otherwise "covered" through ownership of the
underlying security, financial instrument or

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<PAGE> 47

currency. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to
pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the
securities, instruments or currency required to be delivered, or, subject to any
regulatory restrictions, an amount of cash or liquid securities at least equal
to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian.
The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are
substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. For
example, a call option written by the Fund will require the Fund to hold the
securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed
securities without additional consideration) or to segregate cash or liquid
securities sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is
exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to
own portfolio securities which correlate with the index or to segregate cash or
liquid securities equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price
on a current basis. A put option written by the Fund requires the Fund to
segregate cash or liquid securities equal to the exercise price. A currency
contract which obligates the Fund to buy or sell currency will generally require
the Fund to hold an amount of that currency or liquid securities denominated in
that currency equal to the Fund's obligations or to segregate cash or liquid
securities equal to the amount of the Fund's obligation.

OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities,
currency, financial instruments or indices and OCC issued and exchange listed
index options will generally provide for cash settlement. As a result, when the
Fund sells these instruments it will only segregate an amount of assets equal to
its accrued net obligations, as there is no requirement for payment or delivery
of amounts in excess of the net amount. These amounts will equal 100% of the
exercise price in the case of a non cash-settled put, the same as an OCC
guaranteed listed option sold by the Fund, or the in-the-money amount plus any
sell-back formula amount in the case of a cash-settled put or call. In addition,
when the Fund sells a call option on an index at a time when the in-the-money
amount exceeds the exercise price, the Fund will segregate, until the option
expires or is closed out, cash or liquid securities equal in value to such
excess. OCC issued and exchange listed options sold by the Fund other than those
above generally settle with physical delivery, and the Fund will segregate an
amount of assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling
with physical delivery, or with an election of either physical delivery or cash
settlement, will be treated the same as other options settling with physical
delivery.

In the case of a futures contract or an option thereon, the Fund must
deposit initial margin and possible daily variation margin in addition to
segregating assets sufficient to meet its obligation to purchase or provide
securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an
index-based futures contract. Such assets may consist of cash or liquid
securities.

Strategic Transactions may be covered by other means when consistent with
applicable regulatory policies. The Fund also may enter into offsetting
transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets,
equals its net outstanding obligation in related options and Strategic
Transactions. For example, the Fund could purchase a put option if the strike
price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option
sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets if the Fund held a
futures or forward contract, it could purchase a put option on the same futures
or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the
contract held.

B-23
<PAGE> 48

Other Strategic Transactions also may be offset in combinations. If the
offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary
transaction no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to such time,
assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.

The Fund's activities involving Strategic Transactions may be limited by
the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), for qualification as a regulated investment company.

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment restrictions
which may not be changed without shareholder approval by the vote of a majority
of its outstanding voting securities, which is defined by the 1940 Act as the
lesser of (i) 67% or more of the Fund's voting securities present at a meeting,
if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund
are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund's
outstanding voting securities. The percentage limitations contained in the
restrictions and policies set forth herein apply at the time of purchase of
securities. With respect to the limitations on illiquid securities and
borrowings, the percentage limitations apply at the time of purchase and on an
ongoing basis. These restrictions provide that the Fund shall not:

1. Invest in a manner inconsistent with its classification as a
"diversified company" as provided by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption
or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940
Act, as amended from time to time.

2. Issue senior securities nor borrow money, except the Fund may issue
senior securities or borrow money to the extent permitted by (i) the
1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time,
or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the
provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

3. Act as an underwriter of securities issued by others, except to the
extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities,
it may be deemed to be an underwriter under applicable securities laws.

4. Invest in any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the value of the
Fund's total assets, taken at market value at the time of each
investment, are in the securities of issuers in any particular industry
except (a) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and
its agencies and instrumentalities or securities of state and municipal
governments or their political subdivisions, or (b) when the Fund has
taken a temporary defensive position, or (c) as otherwise provided by
(i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the
Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

B-24
<PAGE> 49

5. Purchase or sell real estate except that the Fund may: (a) acquire or
lease office space for its own use, (b) invest in securities of issuers
that invest in real estate or interests therein or that are engaged in
or operate in the real estate industry, (c) invest in securities that
are secured by real estate or interests therein, (d) purchase and sell
mortgage-related securities, (e) hold and sell real estate acquired by
the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities and (f) as otherwise
permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as
amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief
applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended
from time to time.

6. Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this
restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling
options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward
contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial
instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed
by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act,
as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated
by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an
exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of
the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

7. Make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent
that securities or interests in which the Fund may invest are considered
to be loans, (b) through the loan of portfolio securities, (c) by
engaging in repurchase agreements or (d) as may otherwise be permitted
by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and
regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from
time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the
Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

The Fund has an operating policy not to borrow money except for temporary
purposes and then in an amount not in excess of 5% of the value of the total
assets of the Fund at the time the borrowing is made.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the
Fund's Board of Trustees and the Fund's officers appointed by the Board of
Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and officers of the Fund and
executive officers of the Fund's investment adviser and their principal
occupations for the last five years and their affiliations, if any, with Van
Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), Van Kampen Investment
Advisory Corp. ("Advisory Corp."), Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. ("Asset
Management"), Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the "Distributor"), Van Kampen Management
Inc., Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Insurance Agency of Illinois Inc.,
Van Kampen Insurance Agency of Texas Inc., Van Kampen System Inc., Van Kampen
Recordkeeping Services Inc., American Capital Contractual Services, Inc., Van
Kampen Trust Company, Van Kampen Exchange Corp. and Van Kampen Investor Services
Inc. ("Investor Services"). Advisory Corp. and Asset Management sometimes are
referred to herein collectively as the "Advisers". For purposes

B-25
<PAGE> 50

hereof, the term "Fund Complex" includes each of the open-end investment
companies advised by the Advisers (excluding Van Kampen Exchange Fund).

TRUSTEES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
J. Miles Branagan......................... Private investor. Trustee/Director of each of
1632 Morning Mountain Road the funds in the Fund Complex. Co-founder, and
Raleigh, NC 27614 prior to August 1996, Chairman, Chief Executive
Date of Birth: 07/14/32 Officer and President, MDT Corporation (now
Age: 68 known as Getinge/Castle, Inc., a subsidiary of
Getinge Industrier AB), a company which
develops, manufactures, markets and services
medical and scientific equipment.
Jerry D. Choate........................... Director of Amgen Inc., a biotechnological
53 Monarch Bay Drive company, and Valero Energy Corporation, an
Dana Point, CA 92629 independent refining company. Trustee/Director
Date of Birth: 09/16/38 of each of the funds in the Fund Complex. Prior
Age: 62 to January 1999, Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of The Allstate Corporation
("Allstate") and Allstate Insurance Company.
Prior to January 1995, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Allstate. Prior to August
1994, various management positions at Allstate.
Linda Hutton Heagy........................ Managing Partner of Heidrick & Stuggles, an
Sears Tower executive search firm. Trustee/Director of each
233 South Wacker Drive of the funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to
Suite 7000 1997, Partner, Ray & Berndtson, Inc., an
Chicago, IL 60606 executive recruiting and management consulting
Date of Birth: 06/03/48 firm. Formerly, Executive Vice President of ABN
Age: 52 AMRO, N.A., a Dutch bank holding company. Prior
to 1992, Executive Vice President of La Salle
National Bank. Trustee on the University of
Chicago Hospitals Board, Vice Chair of the
Board of The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and a
member of the Women's Board of the University
of Chicago. Prior to 1996, Trustee of The
International House Board, a fellowship and
housing organization for international graduate
students.
R. Craig Kennedy.......................... President and Director, German Marshall Fund of
11 DuPont Circle, N.W. the United States, an independent U.S.
Washington, D.C. 20016 foundation created to deepen understanding,
Date of Birth: 02/29/52 promote collaboration and stimulate exchanges
Age: 48 of practical experience between Americans and
Europeans. Trustee/Director of each of the
funds in the Fund Complex. Formerly, advisor to
the Dennis Trading Group Inc., a managed
futures and option company that invests money
for individuals and institutions. Prior to
1992, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Director and Member of the Investment Committee
of the Joyce Foundation, a private foundation.
</TABLE>

B-26
<PAGE> 51

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Mitchell M. Merin*........................ President and Chief Operating Officer of Asset
Two World Trade Center Management of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter since
66th Floor December 1998. President and Director since
New York, NY 10048 April 1997 and Chief Executive Officer since
Date of Birth: 08/13/53 June 1998 of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Age: 47 Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
Services Company Inc. Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Dean
Witter Distributors Inc. since June 1998.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since June
1998, and Director since January 1998, of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Trust FSB. Director
of various Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
subsidiaries. President of the Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Funds since May 1999.
Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex. Previously Chief Strategic
Officer of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Services
Company Inc. and Executive Vice President of
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Distributors Inc.
April 1997-June 1998, Vice President of the
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Funds May 1997-April
1999, and Executive Vice President of Dean
Witter, Discover & Co.
Jack E. Nelson............................ President and owner, Nelson Investment Planning
423 Country Club Drive Services, Inc., a financial planning company
Winter Park, FL 32789 and registered investment adviser in the State
Date of Birth: 02/13/36 of Florida. President and owner, Nelson Ivest
Age: 64 Brokerage Services Inc., a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. and Securities Investors Protection Corp.
Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex.
Richard F. Powers, III*................... Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
1 Parkview Plaza of Van Kampen Investments. Chairman, Director
P.O. Box 5555 and Chief Executive Officer of the Advisers,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and
Date of Birth: 02/02/46 Van Kampen Management Inc. Director and officer
Age: 54 of certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen
Investments. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer
of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asset Management,
Inc. Trustee/Director and President of each of
the funds in the Fund Complex. Trustee,
President and Chairman of the Board of other
investment companies advised by the Advisers
and their affiliates, and Chief Executive
Officer of Van Kampen Exchange Fund. Prior to
May 1998, Executive Vice President and Director
of Marketing at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and
Director of Dean Witter Discover & Co. and Dean
Witter Realty. Prior to 1996, Director of Dean
Witter Reynolds Inc.
</TABLE>

B-27
<PAGE> 52

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
--------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C>
Phillip B. Rooney......................... Vice Chairman (since April 1997) and Director
One ServiceMaster Way (since 1994) of The ServiceMaster Company, a
Downers Grove, IL 60515 business and consumer services company.
Date of Birth: 07/08/44 Director of Illinois Tool Works, Inc., a
Age: 56 manufacturing company and the Urban Shopping
Centers Inc., a retail mall management company.
Trustee, University of Notre Dame. Trustee/
Director of each of the funds in the Fund
Complex. Prior to 1998, Director of Stone
Smurfit Container Corp., a paper manufacturing
company. From May 1996 through February 1997 he
was President, Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Operating Officer of Waste Management,
Inc., an environmental services company, and
from November 1984 through May 1996 he was
President and Chief Operating Officer of Waste
Management, Inc.

Fernando Sisto............................ Professor Emeritus. Prior to August 1996, a
155 Hickory Lane George M. Bond Chaired Professor with Stevens
Closter, NJ 07624 Institute of Technology, and prior to 1995,
Date of Birth: 08/02/24 Dean of the Graduate School, Stevens Institute
Age: 76 of Technology. Director, Dynalysis of
Princeton, a firm engaged in engineering
research. Trustee/Director of each of the funds
in the Fund Complex.

Wayne W. Whalen*.......................... Partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps,
333 West Wacker Drive Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), legal counsel
Chicago, IL 60606 to the funds in the Fund Complex, and other
Date of Birth: 08/22/39 investment companies advised by the Advisers.
Age: 61 Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex, and Trustee/ Managing General
Partner of other investment companies advised
by the Advisers.

Suzanne H. Woolsey........................ Chief Operating Officer of the National Academy
2101 Constitution Ave., N.W. of Sciences/National Research Council, an
Room 206 independent, federally chartered policy
Washington, D.C. 20418 institution, since 1993. Director of Neurogen
Date of Birth: 12/27/41 Corporation, a pharmaceutical company, since
Age: 58 January 1998. Director of the German Marshall
Fund of the United States, Trustee of Colorado
College, and Vice Chair of the Board of the
Council for Excellence in Government. Trustee/
Director of each of the funds in the Fund
Complex. Prior to 1993, Executive Director of
the Commission on Behavioral and Social
Sciences and Education at the National Academy
of Sciences/National Research Council. From
1980 through 1989, Partner of Coopers &
Lybrand.
</TABLE>

------------------------------------

* Such trustee is an "interested person" (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19)
of the 1940 Act). Mr. Whalen is an interested person of each of the funds in
the Fund Complex by reason of his firm currently acting as legal counsel to
the Fund. Messrs. Merin and Powers are interested persons of each of the funds
in the Fund Complex and the Advisers by reason of their positions with Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter or its affiliates.

B-28
<PAGE> 53

OFFICERS

Messrs. Smith, Santo, Ciccarone, Reynoldson, Sullivan, and Zimmermann are
located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555. Mr. Boyd is
located at 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITIONS AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
OFFICES WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
A. Thomas Smith III.................. Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Date of Birth: 12/14/56 Secretary and Director of Van Kampen Investments,
Vice President and Secretary the Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen
Age: 43 Management Inc., the Distributor, American Capital
Contractual Services, Inc., Van Kampen Exchange
Corp., Van Kampen Recordkeeping Services Inc.,
Investor Services, Van Kampen Insurance Agency of
Illinois Inc. and Van Kampen System Inc. Vice
President and Secretary of each of the funds in the
Fund Complex and Vice President and Secretary/Vice
President, Principal Legal Officer and Secretary of
other investment companies advised by the Advisers
or their affiliates. Prior to January 1999, Vice
President and Associate General Counsel to New York
Life Insurance Company ("New York Life"), and prior
to March 1997, Associate General Counsel of New
York Life. Prior to December 1993, Assistant
General Counsel of The Dreyfus Corporation. Prior
to August 1991, Senior Associate, Willkie Farr &
Gallagher. Prior to January 1989, Staff Attorney at
the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of
Investment Management, Office of Chief Counsel.

Michael H. Santo..................... Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative
Date of Birth: 10/22/55 Officer and Director of Van Kampen Investments, the
Vice President Advisers, the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors
Age: 44 Inc., Van Kampen Management Inc. and Van Kampen
Investor Services Inc., and serves as a Director or
Officer of certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen
Investments. Vice President of each of the funds in
the Fund Complex and certain other investment
companies advised by the Advisers and their
affiliates. Prior to 1998, Senior Vice President
and Senior Planning Officer for Individual Asset
Management of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter and its
predecessor since 1994. From 1990-1994, First Vice
President and Assistant Controller in Dean Witter's
Controller's Department.
</TABLE>

B-29
<PAGE> 54

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITIONS AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
OFFICES WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
Stephen L. Boyd...................... Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Date of Birth: 11/16/40 Officer of Van Kampen Investments, and President
Executive Vice President and Chief and Chief Operating Officer of the Advisers.
Investment Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Age: 59 Officer of each of the funds in the Fund Complex
and certain other investment companies advised by
the Advisers or their affiliates. Prior to April
2000, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment
Officer for Equity Investments of the Advisers.
Prior to October 1998, Vice President and Senior
Portfolio Manager with AIM Capital Management, Inc.
Prior to February 1998, Senior Vice President and
Portfolio Manager of Van Kampen American Capital
Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American Capital
Investment Advisory Corp. and Van Kampen American
Capital Management, Inc.

Richard A. Ciccarone................. Senior Vice President and Co-head of the Fixed
Date of Birth: 06/15/52 Income Department of the Advisers, Van Kampen
Vice President Management Inc. and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior
Age: 48 to May 2000, he served as Co-head of Municipal
Investments and Director of Research of the
Advisers, Van Kampen Management Inc. and Van Kampen
Advisors Inc. Mr. Ciccarone first joined the
Adviser in June 1983, and worked for the Adviser
until May 1989, with his last position being a Vice
President. From June 1989 to April 1996, he worked
at EVEREN Securities (formerly known as Kemper
Securities), with his last position at EVEREN being
an Executive Vice President. Since April 1996, Mr.
Ciccarone has been a Senior Vice President of the
Advisers, Van Kampen Management Inc. and Van Kampen
Advisors Inc.

John R. Reynoldson................... Senior Vice President and Co-head of the Fixed
Date of Birth: 05/15/53 Income Department of the Advisers, Van Kampen
Vice President Management Inc. and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior
Age: 47 to May 2000, he managed the investment grade
taxable group for the Adviser since July 1999. From
July 1988 to June 1999, he managed the government
securities bond group for Asset Management. Mr.
Reynoldson has been with Asset Management since
April 1987, and has been a Senior Vice President of
Asset Management since July 1988. He has been a
Senior Vice President of the Adviser and Van Kampen
Management Inc. since June 1995 and Senior Vice
President of Van Kampen Advisors Inc. since June
2000.

John L. Sullivan..................... Senior Vice President of Van Kampen Investments and
Date of Birth: 08/20/55 the Advisers. Vice President, Chief Financial
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of each of the funds in the
Officer and Treasurer Fund Complex and certain other investment companies
Age: 45 advised by the Advisers or their affiliates.
</TABLE>

B-30
<PAGE> 55

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, AGE, POSITIONS AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
OFFICES WITH FUND DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------------------ ---------------------
<S> <C>
John H. Zimmermann, III.............. Senior Vice President and Director of Van Kampen
Date of Birth: 11/25/57 Investments, President and Director of the
Vice President Distributor, and President of Van Kampen Insurance
Age: 42 Agency of Illinois Inc. Vice President of each of
the funds in the Fund Complex. From November 1992
to December 1997, Mr. Zimmermann was Senior Vice
President of the Distributor.
</TABLE>

Each trustee/director holds the same position with each of the funds in the
Fund Complex. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, there
are 61 operating funds in the Fund Complex. Each trustee/director who is not an
affiliated person of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers or the Distributor
(each a "Non-Affiliated Trustee") is compensated by an annual retainer and
meeting fees for services to the funds in the Fund Complex. Each fund in the
Fund Complex provides a deferred compensation plan to its Non-Affiliated
Trustees that allows trustees/directors to defer receipt of their compensation
and earn a return on such deferred amounts. Deferring compensation has the
economic effect as if the Non-Affiliated Trustee reinvested his or her
compensation into the funds. Each fund in the Fund Complex provides a retirement
plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees that provides Non-Affiliated Trustees with
compensation after retirement, provided that certain eligibility requirements
are met as more fully described below.

The compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee includes an annual retainer
in an amount equal to $50,000 per calendar year, due in four quarterly
installments on the first business day of each quarter. Payment of the annual
retainer is allocated among the funds in the Fund Complex on the basis of the
relative net assets of each fund as of the last business day of the preceding
calendar quarter. The compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee includes a per
meeting fee from each fund in the Fund Complex in the amount of $200 per
quarterly or special meeting attended by the Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the
date of the meeting, plus reasonable expenses incurred by the Non-Affiliated
Trustee in connection with his or her services as a trustee, provided that no
compensation will be paid in connection with certain telephonic special
meetings.

Under the deferred compensation plan, each Non-Affiliated Trustee generally
can elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation earned by
such Non-Affiliated Trustee until retirement. Amounts deferred are retained by
the Fund and earn a rate of return determined by reference to the return on the
common shares of such Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the
respective Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such
Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund Complex. To
the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities of those
funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees in order to match the deferred
compensation obligation. The deferred compensation plan is not funded and
obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general
assets of the Fund.

Under the retirement plan, a Non-Affiliated Trustee who is receiving
compensation from such Fund prior to such Non-Affiliated Trustee's retirement,
has at least 10 years of service (including years of service prior to adoption
of the retirement plan) and retires at or after attaining the age of 60, is
eligible to receive a retirement benefit equal to $2,500

B-31
<PAGE> 56

per year for each of the ten years following such retirement from such Fund.
Non-Affiliated Trustees retiring prior to the age of 60 or with fewer than 10
years but more than 5 years of service may receive reduced retirement benefits
from such Fund. Each trustee/director has served as a member of the Board of
Trustees of the Fund since he or she was first appointed or elected in the year
set forth below. The retirement plan contains a Fund Complex retirement benefit
cap of $60,000 per year.

Additional information regarding compensation and benefits for trustees is
set forth below for the periods described in the notes accompanying the table.

COMPENSATION TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fund Complex
-------------------------------------------
Aggregate
Aggregate Estimated
Pension or Maximum Total
Retirement Annual Compensation
Aggregate Benefits Benefits from before
Compensation Accrued as the Fund Deferral from
from the Part of Upon Fund
Name(1) Registrant(2) Expenses(3) Retirement(4) Complex(5)
------- ------------- ----------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Miles Branagan $9,540 $40,303 $60,000 $126,000
Jerry D. Choate(1) 8,340 0 60,000 88,700
Linda Hutton Heagy 9,540 5,045 60,000 126,000
R. Craig Kennedy 9,540 3,571 60,000 125,600
Jack E. Nelson 9,540 21,664 60,000 126,000
Phillip B. Rooney 9,540 7,787 60,000 113,400
Fernando Sisto 9,540 72,060 60,000 126,000
Wayne W. Whalen 9,540 15,189 60,000 126,000
Suzanne H. Woolsey(1) 6,940 0 60,000 88,700
</TABLE>

------------------------------------

(1) Trustees not eligible for compensation are not included in the Compensation
Table. Mr. Choate and Ms. Woolsey became members of the Board of Trustees
for the Fund and other funds in the Fund Complex on May 26, 1999 and
therefore do not have a full year of information to report. Paul G. Yovovich
resigned as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Fund and other funds
in the Fund Complex on April 14, 2000.

(2) The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation before
deferral from all operating series of the Trust during the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000. The details of aggregate compensation before deferral for
each operating series of the Registrant during the fiscal year ended March
31, 2000 are shown in Table A below. The details of compensation deferred
for each operating series of the Registrant during the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000 are shown in Table B below. Amounts deferred are retained by
the Fund and earn a rate of return determined by reference to either the
return on the common shares of the Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex
as selected by the respective Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic
effect as if such Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds
in the Fund Complex. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, each fund may
invest in securities of those funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees
in order to match the deferred compensation obligation. The details of
cumulative deferred compensation (including interest) for each operating
series of the Registrant as of

B-32
<PAGE> 57

March 31, 2000 are shown in Table C below. The deferred compensation plan is
described above the Compensation Table.

(3) The amounts shown in this column represent the sum of the retirement
benefits accrued by the operating investment companies in the Fund Complex
for each of the trustees for the funds' respective fiscal years ended in
1999. The retirement plan is described above the Compensation Table.

(4) For each trustee, this is the sum of the estimated maximum annual benefits
payable by the funds in the Fund Complex for each year of the 10-year period
commencing in the year of such trustee's anticipated retirement. The
retirement plan is described above the Compensation Table. Each
Non-Affiliated Trustee has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since
the year set forth in Table D below.

(5) The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation paid
by all of the funds in the Fund Complex as of December 31, 1999 before
deferral by the trustees under the deferred compensation plan. Because the
funds in the Fund Complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown
in this column are presented on a calendar year basis. Certain trustees
deferred all or a portion of their aggregate compensation from the Fund
Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 1999. The deferred
compensation earns a rate of return determined by reference to the return on
the shares of the funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the respective
Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such Non-
Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund Complex. To
the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities of
those investment companies selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees in order
to match the deferred compensation obligation. The Advisers and their
affiliates also serve as investment adviser for other investment companies;
however, with the exception of Mr. Whalen, the Non-Affiliated Trustees were
not trustees of such investment companies. Combining the Fund Complex with
other investment companies advised by the Advisers and their affiliates, Mr.
Whalen received Total Compensation of $279,250 during the calendar year
ended December 31, 1999.

The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor have adopted Codes of Ethics
(collectively, the "Code of Ethics") that set forth general and specific
standards relating to the securities trading activities of their employees. The
Code of Ethics does not prohibit employees from acquiring securities that may be
purchased or held by the Fund, but is intended to ensure that all employees
conduct their personal transactions in a manner that does not interfere with the
portfolio transactions of the Fund or other Van Kampen funds, or that such
employees take unfair advantage of their relationship with the Fund. Among other
things, the Code of Ethics prohibits certain types of transactions absent prior
approval, imposes various trading restrictions (such as time periods during
which personal transactions may or may not be made) and requires quarterly
reporting of securities transactions and other matters. All reportable
securities transactions and other required reports are to be reviewed by
appropriate personnel for compliance with the Code of Ethics. Additional
restrictions apply to portfolio managers, traders, research analysts and others
who may have access to nonpublic information about the trading activities of the
Fund or other Van Kampen funds or who otherwise are involved in the investment
advisory process. Exceptions to these and other provisions of the Code of Ethics
may be granted in particular circumstances after review by appropriate
personnel.

B-33
<PAGE> 58

As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the trustees
and officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the
Fund.

TABLE A

2000 AGGREGATE COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST AND EACH SERIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEE
FISCAL ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND NAME YEAR-END BRANAGAN CHOATE HEAGY KENNEDY NELSON ROONEY SISTO WHALEN WOOLSEY
--------- -------- -------- ------ ----- ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth Fund...... 3/31 $2,340 $2,140 $2,340 $2,340 $2,340 $2,340 $2,340 $2,340 $1,940
Great American Companies
Fund(1)................... 3/31 1,202 1,002 1,202 1,202 1,202 1,202 1,202 1,202 802
Growth Fund................. 3/31 1,388 1,188 1,388 1,388 1,388 1,388 1,388 1,388 988
Mid Cap Value Fund(1)....... 3/31 1,201 1,001 1,201 1,201 1,201 1,201 1,201 1,201 801
Prospector Fund(1).......... 3/31 1,203 1,003 1,203 1,203 1,203 1,203 1,203 1,203 803
Select Growth Fund*......... 3/31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Growth Fund*...... 3/31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Value Fund........ 3/31 801 801 801 801 801 801 801 801 601
Utility Fund................ 3/31 1,405 1,205 1,405 1,405 1,405 1,405 1,405 1,405 1,005
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Equity Trust Total........ $9,540 $8,340 $9,540 $9,540 $9,540 $9,540 $9,540 $9,540 $6,940
</TABLE>

------------------------------------

* The Select Growth and Small Cap Growth Funds had not commenced investment
operations as of March 31, 2000. Such trustees received an organizational
meeting fee of $200/trustee paid by the Adviser in connection with the
Fund's organization.

(1) The Fund was liquidated during the Registrant's fiscal year ended March 31,
2000.

TABLE B

2000 AGGREGATE COMPENSATION DEFERRED FROM

THE TRUST AND EACH SERIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEE
FISCAL ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND NAME YEAR-END BRANAGAN CHOATE HEAGY KENNEDY NELSON ROONEY SISTO WHALEN WOOLSEY
--------- -------- -------- ------ ----- ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth Fund........... 3/31 $2,340 $1,778 $2,340 $1,170 $2,340 $2,340 $1,170 $2,340 $0
Great American Companies
Fund(1)........................ 3/31 1,202 802 1,202 601 1,202 1,202 601 1,202 0
Growth Fund...................... 3/31 1,388 940 1,388 694 1,388 1,388 694 1,388 0
Mid Cap Value Fund(1)............ 3/31 1,201 801 1,201 601 1,201 1,201 601 1,201 0
Prospector Fund(1)............... 3/31 1,203 803 1,203 602 1,203 1,203 602 1,203 0
Select Growth Fund*.............. 3/31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Growth Fund*........... 3/31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Value Fund............. 3/31 801 801 801 400 801 801 400 801 0
Utility Fund..................... 3/31 1,405 952 1,405 703 1,405 1,405 703 1,405 0
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Equity Trust Total............. $9,540 $6,877 $9,540 $4,771 $9,540 $9,540 $4,771 $9,540 $0
</TABLE>

------------------------------------

* The Select Growth and Small Cap Growth Funds had not commenced investment
operations as of March 31, 2000.

(1) The Fund was liquidated during the Registrant's fiscal year ended March 31,
2000.

B-34
<PAGE> 59

TABLE C

2000 CUMULATIVE COMPENSATION DEFERRED

(PLUS INTEREST) FROM THE TRUST AND EACH SERIES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CURRENT TRUSTEES
FISCAL -------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND NAME YEAR-END BRANAGAN CHOATE HEAGY KENNEDY NELSON ROONEY SISTO
--------- -------- -------- ------ ----- ------- ------ ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth Fund........... 3/31 $15,694 $2,622 $12,224 $7,764 $28,302 $13,161 $ 6,960
Growth Fund...................... 3/31 11,377 1,453 7,665 7,594 19,459 11,021 5,405
Select Growth Fund*.............. 3/31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Growth Fund*........... 3/31 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Value Fund............. 3/31 999 1,247 899 557 1,155 1,377 566
Utility Fund..................... 3/31 12,628 1,475 12,464 27,182 37,021 10,454 8,316
------- ------ ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Equity Trust Total.............. $40,698 $6,797 $33,252 $43,097 $85,937 $36,013 $21,247

<CAPTION>
CURRENT TRUSTEES FORMER TRUSTEES
----------------- ------------------------------------------------
FUND NAME WHALEN WOOLSEY GAUGHAN MILLER REES ROBINSON YOVOVICH
--------- ------ ------- ------- ------ ---- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth Fund........... $18,446 $0 $ 0 $ 3,074 $ 0 $11,674 $3,183
Growth Fund...................... 13,700 0 0 1,962 375 8,680 2,006
Select Growth Fund*.............. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Growth Fund*........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Small Cap Value Fund............. 1,063 0 0 0 0 0 921
Utility Fund..................... 29,366 0 1,142 13,406 3,285 26,162 2,040
------- -- ------ ------- ------ -------
Equity Trust Total.............. $62,575 $0 $1,142 $18,442 $3,660 $46,516 $8,150
</TABLE>

------------------------------------

* The Select Growth and Small Cap Growth Funds had not commenced investment
operations as of March 31, 2000.

TABLE D

YEAR OF ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT TO EACH SERIES OF THE TRUST

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND NAME BRANAGAN CHOATE HEAGY KENNEDY NELSON ROONEY SISTO WHALEN WOOLSEY
--------- -------- ------ ----- ------- ------ ------ ----- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth Fund...... 1996 1999 1996 1996 1996 1997 1996 1996 1999
Growth Fund................. 1995 1999 1995 1995 1995 1997 1995 1995 1999
Select Growth Fund.......... 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
Small Cap Growth Fund....... 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
Small Cap Value Fund........ 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999
Utility Fund................ 1995 1999 1995 1993 1993 1997 1995 1993 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
</TABLE>

B-35
<PAGE> 60

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

The Fund and the Adviser are parties to an investment advisory agreement
(the "Advisory Agreement"). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Fund retains the
Adviser to manage the investment of the Fund's assets, including the placing of
orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Adviser obtains
and evaluates economic, statistical and financial information to formulate
strategy and implement the Fund's investment objective. The Adviser also
furnishes offices, necessary facilities and equipment, provides administrative
services to the Fund, renders periodic reports to the Fund's Board of Trustees,
and permits its officers and employees to serve without compensation as trustees
of the Trust or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions. The Fund,
however, bears the cost of its day-to-day operations, including service fees,
distribution fees, custodian fees, legal and independent auditor fees, the costs
of reports and proxies to shareholders, compensation of trustees of the Trust
(other than those who are affiliated persons of the Adviser, Distributor or Van
Kampen Investments) and all other ordinary business expenses not specifically
assumed by the Adviser. The Advisory Agreement also provides that the Adviser
shall not be liable to the Fund for any error of judgment or of law, or for any
loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters of to which the
Advisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance,
bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of
its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless disregard of its
obligations and duties under the Advisory Agreement.

The Advisory Agreement also provides that, in the event the expenses of the
Fund for any fiscal year exceed the most restrictive expense limitation
applicable in any jurisdiction in which the Fund's shares are qualified for
offer and sale (excluding any expenses permitted to be excluded from the
computation under applicable law or regulation), the compensation due the
Adviser will be reduced by the amount of such excess and that, if a reduction in
and refund of the advisory fee is insufficient, the Adviser will pay the Fund
monthly an amount sufficient to make up the deficiency, subject to readjustment
during the fiscal year.

The Advisory Agreement may be continued from year to year if specifically
approved at least annually (a)(i) by the Fund's Board of Trustees or (ii) by a
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities and (b) by a vote
of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or interested
persons of any such party by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such
purpose. The Advisory Agreement provides that it shall terminate automatically
if assigned and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party on 60
days' written notice.

OTHER AGREEMENTS

Accounting Services Agreement. The Fund has entered into an accounting
services agreement pursuant to which Advisory Corp. provides accounting services
to the Fund, supplementary to those provided by the custodian. Such services are
expected to enable the Fund to more closely monitor and maintain its accounts
and records. The Fund pays all costs and expenses related to such services,
including all salary and related benefits of accounting personnel, as well as
the overhead and expenses of office space and the equipment necessary to render
such services. The Fund shares together with the other

B-36
<PAGE> 61

Van Kampen funds in the cost of providing such services with 25% of such costs
shared proportionately based on the respective number of classes of securities
issued per fund and the remaining 75% of such costs based proportionately on the
respective net assets per fund.

Legal Services Agreement. The Fund and certain of the other Van Kampen
funds distributed by the Distributor have entered into legal services agreements
pursuant to which Van Kampen Investments provides legal services, including
without limitation: accurate maintenance of each fund's minute books and
records, preparation and oversight of each fund's regulatory reports, and other
information provided to shareholders, as well as responding to day-to-day legal
issues on behalf of the funds. Payment by the funds for such services is made on
a cost basis for the salary and salary-related benefits, including but not
limited to bonuses, group insurance and other regular wages for the employment
of personnel, as well as overhead and the expenses related to the office space
and the equipment necessary to render the legal services. Of the total costs for
legal services provided to funds distributed by the Distributor, one half of
such costs are allocated equally to each fund and the remaining one half of such
costs are allocated to specific funds based on monthly time records.

DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE

The Distributor acts as the principal underwriter of the Fund's shares
pursuant to a written agreement (the "Distribution and Service Agreement"). The
Distributor has the exclusive right to distribute shares of the Fund through
authorized dealers on a continuous basis. The Distributor's obligation is an
agency or "best efforts" arrangement under which the Distributor is required to
take and pay for only such shares of the Fund as may be sold to the public. The
Distributor is not obligated to sell any stated number of shares. The
Distributor bears the cost of printing (but not typesetting) prospectuses used
in connection with this offering and certain other costs including the cost of
supplemental sales literature and advertising. The Distribution and Service
Agreement is renewable from year to year if approved (a)(i) by the Fund's Board
of Trustees or (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities and (b) by a vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to
the Distribution and Service Agreement or interested persons of any party, by
votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Distribution and
Service Agreement provides that it will terminate if assigned, and that it may
be terminated without penalty by either party on 90 days' written notice.

B-37
<PAGE> 62

With respect to sales of Class A Shares of the Fund, the total sales
charges and concessions reallowed to authorized dealers at the time of purchase
are as follows:

CLASS A SHARES SALES CHARGE TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Sales Charge
------------------------- Reallowed
As % of As % of Net To Dealers
Size of Offering Amount As a % of
Investment Price Invested Offering Price
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000........................... 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000.............. 4.75% 4.99% 4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000............. 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$250,000 but less than $500,000............. 2.75% 2.83% 2.25%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000........... 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$1,000,000 or more.......................... * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1
million or more, although the Fund may impose a contingent deferred sales
charge of 1.00% on certain redemptions made within one year of the purchase. A
commission or transaction fee will be paid by the Distributor at the time of
purchase directly out of the Distributor's assets (and not out of the Fund's
assets) to authorized dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases
of $1 million or more computed on a percentage of the dollar value of such
shares sold as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next
$1 million and 0.50% on the excess over $3 million. For single purchases of
$20 million or more by an individual retail investor, the Distributor will
pay, at the time of purchase and directly out of the Distributor's assets (and
not out of the Fund's assets), a commission or transaction fee of 1.00% to
authorized dealers who initiate and are responsible for such purchases. The
commission or transaction fee of 1.00% will be computed on a percentage of the
dollar value of such shares sold.

With respect to sales of Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund, a
commission or transaction fee generally will be paid by the Distributor at the
time of purchase directly out of the Distributor's assets (and not out of the
Fund's assets) to authorized dealers who initiate and are responsible for such
purchases computed based on a percentage of the dollar value of such shares sold
of 4.00% on Class B Shares and 1.00% on Class C Shares.

Proceeds from any contingent deferred sales charge and any distribution
fees on Class B Shares and Class C Shares of the Fund are paid to the
Distributor and are used by the Distributor to defray its distribution related
expenses in connection with the sale of the Fund's shares, such as the payment
to authorized dealers for selling such shares. With respect to Class C Shares,
the authorized dealers generally are paid the ongoing commission and transaction
fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Class C Shares
annually commencing in the second year after purchase.

In addition to reallowances or commissions described above, the Distributor
may from time to time implement programs under which an authorized dealer's
sales force may be eligible to win nominal awards for certain sales efforts or
under which the Distributor will reallow to any authorized dealer that sponsors
sales contests or recognition programs conforming to criteria established by the
Distributor, or participates in sales programs

B-38
<PAGE> 63

sponsored by the Distributor, an amount not exceeding the total applicable sales
charges on the sales generated by the authorized dealer at the public offering
price during such programs. Also, the Distributor in its discretion may from
time to time, pursuant to objective criteria established by the Distributor, pay
fees to, and sponsor business seminars for, qualifying authorized dealers for
certain services or activities which are primarily intended to result in sales
of shares of the Fund or other Van Kampen funds. Fees may include payment for
travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by
invited registered representatives for meetings or seminars of a business
nature. In some instances additional compensation or promotional incentives may
be offered to brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries that have sold or may
sell significant amounts of shares during specified periods of time. The
Distributor may provide additional compensation to Edward D. Jones & Co. or an
affiliate thereof based on a combination of its quarterly sales of shares of the
Fund and other Van Kampen funds and increases in net assets of the Fund and
other Van Kampen funds over specified thresholds. All of the foregoing payments
are made by the Distributor out of its own assets. Such fees paid for such
services and activities with respect to the Fund will not exceed in the
aggregate 1.25% of the average total daily net assets of the Fund on an annual
basis. These programs will not change the price an investor will pay for shares
or the amount that a Fund will receive from such sale.

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") with
respect to Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund also has adopted a service plan (the "Service
Plan") with respect to Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares. The
Distribution Plan and the Service Plan sometimes are referred to herein as the
"Plans." The Plans provide that the Fund may spend a portion of the Fund's
average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares in connection with
distribution of the respective class of shares and in connection with the
provision of ongoing services to shareholders of such class, respectively. The
Distribution Plan and the Service Plan are being implemented through the
Distribution and Service Agreement with the Distributor of each class of the
Fund's shares, sub-agreements between the Distributor and members of the NASD
who are acting as securities dealers and NASD members or eligible non-members
who are acting as brokers or agents and similar agreements between the Fund and
financial intermediaries who are acting as brokers (collectively, "Selling
Agreements") that may provide for their customers or clients certain services or
assistance, which may include, but not be limited to, processing purchase and
redemption transactions, establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts
regarding the Fund, and such other services as may be agreed to from time to
time and as may be permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation. Brokers,
dealers and financial intermediaries that have entered into sub-agreements with
the Distributor and sell shares of the Fund are referred to herein as "financial
intermediaries."

Certain financial intermediaries may be prohibited under law from providing
certain underwriting or distribution services. If a financial intermediary were
prohibited from acting in any capacity or providing any of the described
services, the Distributor would consider what action, if any, would be
appropriate. The Distributor does not believe that termination of a relationship
with a financial intermediary would result in any material adverse consequences
to the Fund.

B-39
<PAGE> 64

The Distributor must submit quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees of
the Trust, of which the Fund is a series, setting forth separately by class of
shares all amounts paid under the Distribution Plan and the purposes for which
such expenditures were made, together with such other information as from time
to time is reasonably requested by the Trustees. The Plans provide that they
will continue in full force and effect from year to year so long as such
continuance is specifically approved by a vote of the Trustees, and also by a
vote of the disinterested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on the Plans. Each of the Plans may not be amended to increase
materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein with
respect to any class of shares without approval by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting shares of such class, and all material amendments to either
of the Plans must be approved by the Trustees and also by the disinterested
Trustees. Each of the Plans may be terminated with respect to any class of
shares at any time by a vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares of such class.

For Class A Shares in any given year in which the Plans are in effect, the
Plans generally provide for the Fund to pay the Distributor the lesser of (i)
the amount of the Distributor's actual expenses incurred during such year less
any deferred sales charges (if any) it received during such year (the "actual
net expenses") or (ii) the distribution and service fees at the rates specified
in the Prospectus (the "plan fees"). Therefore, to the extent the Distributor's
actual net expenses in a given year are less than the plan fees for such year,
the Fund only pays the actual net expenses. Alternatively, to the extent the
Distributor's actual net expenses in a given year exceed the plan fees for such
year, the Fund only pays the plan fees for such year. For Class A Shares, there
is no carryover of any unreimbursed actual net expenses to succeeding years.

The Plans for Class B Shares and Class C Shares are similar to the Plans
for Class A Shares, except that any actual net expenses which exceed plan fees
for a given year are carried forward and are eligible for payment in future
years by the Fund so long as the Plans remain in effect. Thus, for each of the
Class B Shares and Class C Shares, in any given year in which the Plans are in
effect, the Plans generally provide for the Fund to pay the Distributor the
lesser of (i) the applicable amount of the Distributor's actual net expenses
incurred during such year for such class of shares plus any actual net expenses
from prior years that are still unpaid by the Fund for such class of shares or
(ii) the applicable plan fees for such class of shares. Except as may be
mandated by applicable law, the Fund does not impose any limit with respect to
the number of years into the future that such unreimbursed actual net expenses
may be carried forward (on a Fund level basis). These unreimbursed actual net
expenses may or may not be recovered through plan fees or contingent deferred
sales charges in future years. If the Plans are terminated or not continued, the
Fund would not be contractually obligated to pay the Distributor for any
expenses not previously reimbursed by the Fund or recovered through contingent
deferred sales charges.

Because of fluctuation in net asset value, the plan fees with respect to a
particular Class B Share or Class C Share may be greater or less than the amount
of the initial commission (including carrying cost) paid by the Distributor with
respect to such share. In such circumstances, a shareholder of a share may be
deemed to incur expenses attributable to other shareholders of such class.

B-40
<PAGE> 65

Because the Fund is a series of the Trust, amounts paid to the Distributor
as reimbursement for expenses of one series of the Trust may indirectly benefit
the other funds which are series of the Trust. The Distributor will endeavor to
allocate such expenses among such funds in an equitable manner. The Distributor
will not use the proceeds from the contingent deferred sales charge applicable
to a particular class of shares to defray distribution-related expenses
attributable to any other class of shares.

TRANSFER AGENT

The Fund's transfer agent, shareholder service agent and dividend
disbursing agent is Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. The transfer agency prices
are determined through negotiations with the Fund's Board of Trustees and are
based on competitive benchmarks.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION

The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions and the
negotiation of prices and any brokerage commissions on such transactions. While
the Adviser will be primarily responsible for the placement of the Fund's
portfolio business, the policies and practices in this regard will at all times
be subject to review by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

The Adviser is responsible for placing portfolio transactions and does so
in a manner deemed fair and reasonable to the Fund and not according to any
formula. The primary consideration in all portfolio transactions is prompt
execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable price. In
selecting broker-dealers and in negotiating prices and any brokerage commissions
on such transactions, the Adviser considers the firm's reliability, integrity
and financial condition and the firm's execution capability, the size and
breadth of the market for the security, the size of and difficulty in executing
the order, and the best net price. There are many instances when, in the
judgment of the Adviser, more than one firm can offer comparable execution
services. In selecting among such firms, consideration may be given to those
firms which supply research and other services in addition to execution
services. The Adviser is authorized to pay higher commissions to brokerage firms
that provide it with investment and research information than to firms which do
not provide such services if the Adviser determines that such commissions are
reasonable in relation to the overall services provided. No specific value can
be assigned to such research services which are furnished without cost to the
Adviser. Since statistical and other research information is only supplementary
to the research efforts of the Adviser to the Fund and still must be analyzed
and reviewed by its staff, the receipt of research information is not expected
to reduce its expenses materially. The investment advisory fee is not reduced as
a result of the Adviser's receipt of such research services. Services provided
may include (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the
advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the
availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (b)
furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities,
economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of
accounts; and (c) effecting securities transactions and performing functions
incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody). Research
services furnished by firms through which the Fund effects its securities
transactions may be used by the Adviser in servicing all of its advisory
accounts; not all of such services may be used by the Adviser in connection with
the Fund. The Adviser also

B-41
<PAGE> 66

may place portfolio transactions, to the extent permitted by law, with brokerage
firms affiliated with the Fund, the Adviser or the Distributor and with
brokerage firms participating in the distribution of the Fund's shares if it
reasonably believes that the quality of execution and the commission are
comparable to that available from other qualified firms. Similarly, to the
extent permitted by law and subject to the same considerations on quality of
execution and comparable commission rates, the Adviser may direct an executing
broker to pay a portion or all of any commissions, concessions or discounts to a
firm supplying research.

The Adviser may place portfolio transactions at or about the same time for
other advisory accounts, including other investment companies. The Adviser seeks
to allocate portfolio transactions equitably whenever concurrent decisions are
made to purchase or sell securities for the Fund and another advisory account.
In some cases, this procedure could have an adverse effect on the price or the
amount of securities available to the Fund. In making such allocations among the
Fund and other advisory accounts, the main factors considered by the Adviser are
the respective sizes of the Fund and other advisory accounts, the respective
investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or
comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of
investment commitments generally held and opinions of the persons responsible
for recommending the investment.

Effective October 31, 1996, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan
Stanley") became an affiliate of the Adviser. Effective May 31, 1997, Dean
Witter Reynolds, Inc. ("Dean Witter") became an affiliate of the Adviser. The
Fund's Board of Trustees has adopted certain policies incorporating the
standards of Rule 17e-1 issued by the SEC under the 1940 Act which require that
the commissions paid to affiliates of the Fund must be reasonable and fair
compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration received or to be
received by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving
similar securities during a comparable period of time. The rule and procedures
also contain review requirements and require the Adviser to furnish reports to
the Board of Trustees and to maintain records in connection with such reviews.
After consideration of all factors deemed relevant, the Board of Trustees will
consider from time to time whether the advisory fee for the Fund will be reduced
by all or a portion of the brokerage commission given to affiliated brokers.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES

The Fund offers a number of shareholder services designed to facilitate
investment in its shares at little or no extra cost to the investor. Below is a
description of such services. The following information supplements the section
in the Fund's Prospectus captioned "Shareholder Services."

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT

Each shareholder has an investment account under which the investor's
shares of the Fund are held by Investor Services, the Fund's transfer agent.
Investor Services performs bookkeeping, data processing and administrative
services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Except as described
in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information, after each share
transaction in an account, the shareholder receives a statement showing the
activity in the account. Each shareholder who has an account in any of the Van
Kampen funds will receive statements quarterly from Investor Services

B-42
<PAGE> 67

showing any reinvestments of dividends and capital gain dividends and any other
activity in the account since the preceding statement. Such shareholders also
will receive separate confirmations for each purchase or sale transaction other
than reinvestment of dividends and capital gain dividends and systematic
redemptions. Additional shares may be purchased at any time through authorized
dealers or by mailing a check directly to Investor Services.

SHARE CERTIFICATES

Generally, the Fund will not issue share certificates. However, upon
written or telephone request to the Fund, a share certificate will be issued
representing shares (with the exception of fractional shares) of the Fund. A
shareholder will be required to surrender such certificates upon an exchange or
redemption of the shares represented by the certificate. In addition, if such
certificates are lost the shareholder must write to Van Kampen Funds Inc., c/o
Investor Services, PO Box 218256, Kansas City, MO 64121-8256, requesting an
"Affidavit of Loss" and obtain a Surety Bond in a form acceptable to Investor
Services. On the date the letter is received, Investor Services will calculate
the fee for replacing the lost certificate equal to no more than 1.50% of the
net asset value of the issued shares, and bill the party to whom the replacement
certificate was mailed.

RETIREMENT PLANS

Eligible investors may establish individual retirement accounts ("IRAs").
Documents and forms containing detailed information regarding these plans are
available from the Distributor. Van Kampen Trust Company serves as custodian
under the IRA plans. Details regarding fees are available from the Distributor.

AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE("ACH") DEPOSITS

Shareholders can use ACH to have redemption proceeds deposited
electronically into their bank accounts. Redemption proceeds transferred to a
bank account via the ACH plan are available to be credited to the account on the
second business day following normal payment. In order to utilize this option,
the shareholder's bank must be a member of ACH. In addition, the shareholder
must fill out the appropriate section of the account application form. The
shareholder must also include a voided check or deposit slip from the bank
account into which redemption proceeds are to be deposited together with the
completed application. Once Investor Services has received the application and
the voided check or deposit slip, such shareholder's designated bank account,
following any redemption, will be credited with the proceeds of such redemption.
Once enrolled in the ACH plan, a shareholder may terminate participation at any
time by writing Investor Services or by calling (800) 341-2911 ((800) 421-2833
for the hearing impaired).

DIVIDEND DIVERSIFICATION

A shareholder may, upon written request by completing the appropriate
section of the account application form or by calling (800) 341-2911 ((800)
421-2833 for the hearing impaired), elect to have all dividends and capital gain
dividends paid on a class of shares of the Fund invested into shares of the same
class of any Participating Fund so long as the

B-43
<PAGE> 68

investor has a pre-existing account for such class of shares of the other fund.
Both accounts must be of the same type, either non-retirement or retirement. If
the accounts are retirement accounts, they must both be for the same class and
of the same type of retirement plan (e.g. IRA, 403(b)(7), 401(k), Money Purchase
and Profit Sharing Keogh) and for the benefit of the same individual. If a
qualified, pre-existing account does not exist, the shareholder must establish a
new account subject to minimum investment and other requirements of the fund
into which distributions would be invested. Distributions are invested into the
selected fund at its net asset value per share as of the payable date of the
distribution from the Fund.

SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

A shareholder may establish a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
withdrawal plan if the shareholder owns shares in a single account valued at
$10,000 or more at the next determined net asset value per share at the time the
plan is established. If a shareholder owns shares in a single account valued at
$5,000 or more at the next determined net asset value per share at the time the
plan is established, the shareholder may establish a quarterly, semiannual or
annual withdrawal plan. This plan provides for the orderly use of the entire
account, not only the income but also the capital, if necessary. Each payment
represents the proceeds of a redemption of shares on which any capital gain or
loss will be recognized. The planholder may arrange for periodic checks in any
amount, not less than $25. Such a systematic withdrawal plan may also be
maintained by an investor purchasing shares for a retirement plan which can be
established on a form made available by the Fund when Van Kampen Trust Company
serves as the plan custodian.

Class B Shareholders and Class C Shareholders who establish a systematic
withdrawal plan may redeem up to 12% annually of the shareholder's initial
account balance without incurring a contingent deferred sales charge. Initial
account balance means the amount of the shareholder's investment at the time the
election to participate in the plan is made.

Under the plan, sufficient shares of the Fund are redeemed to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment. Dividends and capital gain dividends
on shares held in accounts with systematic withdrawal plans are reinvested in
additional shares at the next determined net asset value per share. If periodic
withdrawals continuously exceed reinvested dividends and capital gain dividends,
the shareholder's original investment will be correspondingly reduced and
ultimately exhausted. Redemptions made concurrently with the purchase of
additional shares ordinarily will be disadvantageous to the shareholder because
of the duplication of sales charges. Any gain or loss realized by the
shareholder upon redemption of shares is a taxable event. The Fund reserves the
right to amend or terminate the systematic withdrawal program upon 30 days'
notice to its shareholders.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE

All shareholders are limited to eight exchanges per fund during a rolling
365-day period.

Exchange privileges will be suspended on a particular fund if more than
eight exchanges out of that fund are made by a shareholder during a rolling
365-day period. If exchange privileges are suspended, subsequent exchange
requests during the stated period

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will not be processed. Exchange privileges will be restored when the account
history shows fewer than eight exchanges in the rolling 365-day period.

This policy does not apply to money market funds, systematic exchange
plans, or employer-sponsored retirement plans.

REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE

A Class A Shareholder or Class B Shareholder who has redeemed shares of the
Fund may reinstate any portion or all of the net proceeds of such redemption in
Class A Shares of the Fund. A Class C Shareholder who has redeemed shares of the
Fund may reinstate any portion or all of the net proceeds of such redemption in
Class C Shares of the Fund with credit given for any contingent deferred sales
charge paid upon such redemption. Such reinstatement is made at the net asset
value per share (without sales charge) next determined after the order is
received, which must be made within 180 days after the date of the redemption,
provided that shares of the Fund are available for sale. Reinstatement at net
asset value per share is also offered to participants in those eligible
retirement plans held or administered by Van Kampen Trust Company for repayment
of principal (and interest) on their borrowings on such plans, provided that
shares of the Fund are available for sale.

REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Redemptions are not made on days during which the New York Stock Exchange
(the "Exchange") is closed. The right of redemption may be suspended and the
payment therefor may be postponed for more than seven days during any period
when (a) the Exchange is closed for other than customary weekends or holidays;
(b) the SEC determines trading on the Exchange is restricted; (c) the SEC
determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of
securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or (d)
the SEC, by order, so permits.

In addition, if the Fund's Board of Trustees determines that payment wholly
or partly in cash would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining
shareholders of the Fund, the Fund may pay the redemption proceeds in whole or
in part by a distribution-in-kind of portfolio securities held by the Fund in
lieu of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. A
distribution-in-kind will result in recognition by the shareholder of a gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes when such securities are distributed, and
the shareholder may have brokerage charges and a gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes upon the shareholder's disposition of such securities.

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE-CLASS A

As described in the Prospectus under "Purchase of Shares -- Class A
Shares," there is no sales charge payable on Class A Shares at the time of
purchase on investments of $1 million or more, but a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC -- Class A") may be imposed on certain redemptions made within one
year of purchase. For purposes of the CDSC-Class A, when shares of one fund are
exchanged for shares of another fund, the

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purchase date for the shares of the fund exchanged into will be assumed to be
the date on which shares were purchased in the fund from which the exchange was
made. If the exchanged shares themselves are acquired through an exchange, the
purchase date is assumed to carry over from the date of the original election to
purchase shares subject to a CDSC-Class A rather than a front-end load sales
charge. In determining whether a CDSC-Class A is payable, it is assumed that
shares being redeemed first are any shares in the shareholder's account not
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge followed by shares held the
longest in the shareholder's account. The contingent deferred sales charge is
assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the then current market value or
the cost of the shares being redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed
on increases in net asset value above the initial purchase price. In addition,
no sales charge is assessed on shares derived from reinvestment of dividends or
capital gain dividends.

WAIVER OF CLASS B AND CLASS C

CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES

As described in the Prospectus under "Redemption of Shares," redemptions of
Class B Shares and Class C Shares will be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC-Class B and C"). The CDSC-Class B and C is waived on redemptions
of Class B Shares and Class C Shares in the circumstances described below:

REDEMPTION UPON DEATH OR DISABILITY

The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B and C on redemptions following the
death or disability of a Class B shareholder and Class C shareholder. An
individual will be considered disabled for this purpose if he or she meets the
definition thereof in Section 72(m)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), which in pertinent part defines a person as disabled if
such person "is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason
of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be
expected to result in death or to be of long-continued and indefinite duration."
While the Fund does not specifically adopt the balance of the Code's definition
which pertains to furnishing the Secretary of Treasury with such proof as he or
she may require, the Distributor will require satisfactory proof of death or
disability before it determines to waive the CDSC-Class B and C.

In cases of death or disability, the CDSC-Class B and C will be waived
where the decedent or disabled person is either an individual shareholder or
owns the shares as a joint tenant with right of survivorship or is the
beneficial owner of a custodial or fiduciary account, and where the redemption
is made within one year of the death or initial determination of disability.
This waiver of the CDSC-Class B and C applies to a total or partial redemption,
but only to redemptions of shares held at the time of the death or initial
determination of disability.

REDEMPTION IN CONNECTION WITH CERTAIN DISTRIBUTIONS FROM RETIREMENT PLANS

The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B and C when a total or partial
redemption is made in connection with certain distributions from retirement
plans. The CDSC-Class B and C will be waived upon the tax-free rollover or
transfer of assets to another retirement plan invested in one or more
Participating Funds; in such event, as described below, the

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Fund will "tack" the period for which the original shares were held on to the
holding period of the shares acquired in the transfer or rollover for purposes
of determining what, if any, CDSC-Class B and C is applicable in the event that
such acquired shares are redeemed following the transfer or rollover. The charge
also will be waived on any redemption which results from the return of an excess
contribution pursuant to Section 408(d)(4) or (5) of the Code, the return of
excess deferral amounts pursuant to Code Section 401(k)(8) or 402(g)(2), the
financial hardship of the employee pursuant to U.S. Treasury Regulation
1.401(k)-1(d)(2), or from the death or disability of the employee (see Code
Section 72(m)(7) and 72(t)(2)(A)(ii)). In addition, the charge will be waived on
any minimum distribution required to be distributed in accordance with Code
Section 401(a)(9).

The Fund does not intend to waive the CDSC-Class B and C for any
distributions from IRAs or other retirement plans not specifically described
above.

REDEMPTION PURSUANT TO THE FUND'S SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN

A shareholder may elect to participate in a systematic withdrawal plan with
respect to the shareholder's investment in the Fund. Under the systematic
withdrawal plan, a dollar amount of a participating shareholder's investment in
the Fund will be redeemed systematically by the Fund on a periodic basis, and
the proceeds sent to the designated payee of record. The amount to be redeemed
and frequency of the systematic withdrawals will be specified by the shareholder
upon his or her election to participate in the systematic withdrawal plan. The
CDSC-Class B and C will be waived on redemptions made under the systematic
withdrawal plan as described below.

The amount of the shareholder's investment in the Fund at the time the
election to participate in the systematic withdrawal plan is made with respect
to the Fund is hereinafter referred to as the "initial account balance." The
amount to be systematically redeemed from the Fund without the imposition of a
CDSC-Class B and C may not exceed a maximum of 12% annually of the shareholder's
initial account balance. The Fund reserves the right to change the terms and
conditions of the systematic withdrawal plan and the ability to offer the
systematic withdrawal plan.

NO INITIAL COMMISSION OR TRANSACTION FEE

The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B and C in circumstances under which no
commission or transaction fee is paid to authorized dealers at the time of
purchase of shares. See "Purchase of Shares -- Waiver of Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge" in the Prospectus.

INVOLUNTARY REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES

The Fund reserves the right to redeem shareholder accounts with balances of
less than a specified dollar amount as set forth in the Prospectus. Prior to
such redemptions, shareholders will be notified in writing and allowed a
specified period of time to purchase additional shares to bring the value of the
account up to the required minimum balance. The Fund will waive the CDSC-Class B
and C upon such involuntary redemption.

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REINVESTMENT OF REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

A shareholder who has redeemed Class C Shares of the Fund may reinvest at
net asset value, with credit for any CDSC-Class C paid on the redeemed shares,
any portion or all of his or her redemption proceeds (plus that amount necessary
to acquire a fractional share to round off his or her purchase to the nearest
full share) in Class C Shares of the Fund, provided that the reinvestment is
effected within 180 days after such redemption and the shareholder has not
previously exercised this reinvestment privilege with respect to Class C Shares
of the Fund and provided that shares of the Fund are available for sale. Shares
acquired in this manner will be deemed to have the original cost and purchase
date of the redeemed shares for purposes of applying the CDSC-Class C to
subsequent redemptions.

REDEMPTION BY ADVISER

The Fund may waive the CDSC-Class B and C when a total or partial
redemption is made by the Adviser with respect to its investments in the Fund.

TAXATION

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION OF THE FUND

The Trust and each of its series, including the Fund, will be treated as
separate corporations for federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends to elect
and to qualify, and intends to continue to qualify each year, to be treated as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. To qualify as a
regulated investment company, the Fund must comply with certain requirements of
the Code relating to, among other things, the source of its income and
diversification of its assets.

If the Fund so qualifies and distributes each year to its shareholders at
least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally including ordinary
income and net short-term capital gain, but not net capital gain, which is the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) and meets
certain other requirements, it will not be required to pay federal income taxes
on any income it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute at
least the minimum amount of investment company taxable income necessary to
satisfy the 90% distribution requirement. The Fund will not be subject to
federal income tax on any net capital gain distributed to shareholders.

To avoid a 4% excise tax, the Fund will be required to distribute, by
December 31st of each year, at least an amount equal to the sum of (i) 98% of
its ordinary income for such year and (ii) 98% of its capital gain net income
(the latter of which generally is computed on the basis of the one-year period
ending on October 31st of such year), plus any amounts that were not distributed
in previous taxable years. For purposes of the excise tax, any ordinary income
or capital gain net income retained by, and subject to federal income tax in the
hands of, the Fund will be treated as having been distributed.

If the Fund failed to qualify as a regulated investment company or failed
to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in any taxable year, the Fund would
be taxed as an ordinary corporation on its taxable income (even if such income
were distributed to its shareholders) and all distributions out of earnings and
profits would be taxed to

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shareholders as ordinary income. The Fund could be required to recognize
unrealized gains, pay taxes and interest charges and make distributions before
requalifying for taxation as a regulated investment company.

Some of the Fund's investment practices are subject to special provisions
of the Code that, among other things, may (i) disallow, suspend or otherwise
limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (ii) convert lower taxed
long-term capital gain into higher taxed short-term capital gain or ordinary
income, (iii) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss (the
deductability of which is more limited) and/or (iv) cause the Fund to recognize
income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash with which to make
distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement
and the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The Fund
will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the
effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated
investment company.

PASSIVE FOREIGN INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Fund may invest in non-U.S.
corporations that could be classified as "passive foreign investment companies"
as defined for federal income tax purposes. For federal income tax purposes,
such an investment may, among other things, cause the Fund to recognize gain
without a corresponding receipt of cash, to incur an interest charge on taxable
income that is deemed to have been deferred and/or to recognize ordinary income
that would otherwise have been treated as capital gain.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income are taxable
to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and
profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions
of the Fund's net capital gain as capital gain dividends, if any, are taxable to
shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of the length of time shares
of the Fund have been held by such shareholders. Distributions in excess of the
Fund's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a
holder's shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will
constitute capital gains to such holder (assuming such shares are held as a
capital asset). For a summary of the maximum tax rates applicable to capital
gains (including capital gain dividends), see "Capital Gains Rates" below.
Tax-exempt shareholders not subject to federal income tax on their income
generally will not be taxed on distributions from the Fund.

Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares
issued by the Fund will be treated for federal income tax purposes as receiving
a distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares
received, determined as of the distribution date. The basis of such shares will
equal the fair market value on the distribution date.

The Fund will inform shareholders of the source and tax status of all
distributions promptly after the close of each calendar year. Some portion of
the distributions from the Fund may be eligible for the dividends received
deduction for corporations if the Fund receives qualifying dividends during the
year and if certain requirements of the Code are satisfied.

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Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid,
dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of
record on a specified date in such month and paid during January of the
following year will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund and
received by the shareholders on the December 31st prior to the date of payment.
In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a taxable year
of the Fund may be "spilled back" and treated as paid by the Fund (except for
purposes of the 4% excise tax) during such taxable year. In such case,
shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the taxable
year in which the distribution was actually made.

Income from investments in foreign securities received by the Fund may be
subject to income, withholding or other taxes imposed by foreign countries and
U.S. possessions. Such taxes will not be deductible or creditable by
shareholders. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States
may reduce or eliminate such taxes.

SALE OF SHARES

The sale of shares (including transfers in connection with a redemption or
repurchase of shares) may be a taxable transaction for federal income tax
purposes. Selling shareholders will generally recognize gain or loss in an
amount equal to the difference between their adjusted tax basis in the shares
sold and the amount received. If the shares sold are held as a capital asset,
the gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss. For a summary of the maximum
tax rates applicable to capital gains (including capital gain dividends), see
"Capital Gains Rates" below. Any loss recognized upon a taxable disposition of
shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss
to the extent of any capital gain dividends received with respect to such
shares. For purposes of determining whether shares have been held for six months
or less, the holding period is suspended for any periods during which the
shareholder's risk of loss is diminished as a result of holding one or more
other positions in substantially similar or related property or through certain
options or short sales.

CAPITAL GAINS RATES

The maximum tax rate applicable to net capital gains recognized by
individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers investing in the Fund is (i) the
same as the maximum ordinary income tax rate for capital assets held for one
year or less or (ii) 20% for capital assets held for more than one year. The
maximum long-term capital gains rate for corporations is 35%.

NON-U.S. SHAREHOLDERS

A shareholder who is not (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation or partnership created or organized under the laws of the
United States or any state thereof, (iii) an estate, the income of which is
subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source or
(iv) a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a
United States court and which has one or more United States fiduciaries who have
the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (a "Non-U.S.
Shareholder") generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal
income tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate) on dividends from the
Fund

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(other than capital gain dividends) that are not "effectively connected" with a
United States trade or business carried on by such shareholder.

Non-effectively connected capital gain dividends and gains realized from
the sale of shares will not be subject to United States federal income tax in
the case of (i) a Non-U.S. Shareholder that is a corporation and (ii) an
individual Non-U.S. Shareholder who is not present in the United States for more
than 182 days during the taxable year (assuming that certain other conditions
are met). However, certain Non-U.S. Shareholders may nonetheless be subject to
backup withholding on capital gain dividends and gross proceeds paid to them
upon the sale of their shares. See "Backup Withholding" below.

If income from the Fund or gains realized from the sale of shares are
effectively connected with a Non-U.S. Shareholder's United States trade or
business, then such amounts will be subject to United States federal income tax
on a net basis at the tax rates applicable to United States citizens or domestic
corporations. Non-U.S. Shareholders that are corporations may also be subject to
an additional "branch profits tax" with respect to income from the Fund that is
effectively connected with a United States trade or business.

United States Treasury Regulations, generally effective for payments made
after December 31, 2000, modify the withholding, backup withholding and
information reporting rules, including the procedures to be followed by foreign
investors in establishing foreign status. Prospective foreign investors should
consult their tax advisers concerning the applicability and effect of such
Treasury Regulations on an investment in shares of the Fund.

The tax consequences to a Non-U.S. Shareholder entitled to claim the
benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described in
this section. Non-U.S. Shareholders may be required to provide appropriate
documentation to establish their entitlement to the benefits of such a treaty.
Foreign investors are advised to consult their tax advisers with respect to the
tax implications of purchasing, holding and disposing of shares of the Fund.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

The Fund may be required to withhold federal income tax at a rate of 31%
("backup withholding") from dividends and redemption proceeds paid to
non-corporate shareholders. This tax may be withheld from dividends if (i) the
shareholder fails to properly furnish the Fund with its correct taxpayer
identification number, (ii) the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder has
failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to
respond to notices to that effect or (iii) when required to do so, the
shareholder fails to certify that he or she is not subject to backup
withholding. Redemption proceeds may be subject to withholding under the
circumstances described in (i) above.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or
credited against such shareholder's United States federal income tax liability,
if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

INFORMATION REPORTING

The Fund must report annually to the IRS and to each shareholder the amount
of dividends paid to such shareholder and the amount, if any, of tax withheld
with respect to

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such dividends. In the case of a Non-U.S. Shareholder, the Fund must report to
the IRS and such shareholder the aggregate amount of dividends paid that are
subject to backup withholding (if any) and the amount of tax withheld with
respect to such dividends pursuant to the backup withholding rules. This
information may also be made available to the tax authorities in the Non-U.S.
Shareholder's country of residence. Generally, dividends paid to Non-U.S.
Shareholders that are subject to the 30% federal income tax withholding
described above under "Non-U.S. Shareholders" are not subject to backup
withholding.

GENERAL

The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general
information only. Prospective investors and shareholders should consult their
advisers regarding the specific federal tax consequences of purchasing, holding
and disposing of shares, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax
law and any proposed tax law changes.

FUND PERFORMANCE

From time to time the Fund may advertise its total return for prior
periods. Any such advertisement would include at least average annual total
return quotations for one-year, five-year and ten-year periods. Other total
return quotations, aggregate or average, over other time periods may also be
included.

The total return of the Fund for a particular period represents the
increase (or decrease) in the value of a hypothetical investment in the Fund
from the beginning to the end of the period. Total return is calculated by
subtracting the value of the initial investment from the ending value and
showing the difference as a percentage of the initial investment; the
calculation assumes the initial investment is made at the current maximum public
offering price (which includes the maximum sales charge for Class A Shares);
that all income dividends or capital gain dividends during the period are
reinvested in Fund shares at net asset value; and that any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge has been paid. The Fund's total return will vary depending
on market conditions, the securities comprising the Fund's portfolio, the Fund's
operating expenses and unrealized net capital gains or losses during the period.
Total return is based on historical earnings and asset value fluctuations and is
not intended to indicate future performance. No adjustments are made to reflect
any income taxes payable by shareholders on dividends and capital gain dividends
paid by the Fund.

Average annual total return quotations are computed by finding the average
annual compounded rate of return over the period that would equate the initial
amount invested to the ending redeemable value.

The Fund may, in supplemental sales literature, advertise non-standardized
total return figures representing the cumulative, non-annualized total return of
each class of shares of the Fund from a given date to a subsequent given date.
Cumulative non-standardized total return is calculated by measuring the value of
an initial investment in a given class of shares of the Fund at a given time,
deducting the maximum initial sales charge, if any, determining the value of all
subsequent reinvested distributions, and dividing the net change in the value of
the investment as of the end of the period by the amount of the initial
investment and expressing the result as a percentage. Non-standardized total
return will be calculated separately for each class of shares.

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Non-standardized total return calculations do not reflect the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge, and if any contingent deferred sales charge
imposed at the time of redemption were reflected, it would reduce the
performance quoted.

Total return is calculated separately for Class A Shares, Class B Shares
and Class C Shares. Total return figures for Class A Shares include the maximum
sales charge. Total return figures for Class B Shares and Class C Shares include
any applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Because of the differences in
sales charges and distribution fees, the total returns for each class of shares
will differ.

From time to time, the Fund may include in its sales literature and
shareholder reports a quotation of the current "distribution rate" for each
class of shares of the Fund. Distribution rate is a measure of the level of
income and short-term capital gain dividends, if any, distributed for a
specified period. Distribution rate differs from yield, which is a measure of
the income actually earned by the Fund's investments, and from total return
which is a measure of the income actually earned by the Fund's investments plus
the effect of any realized and unrealized appreciation or depreciation of such
investments during a stated period. Distribution rate is, therefore, not
intended to be a complete measure of the Fund's performance. Distribution rate
may sometimes be greater than yield since, for instance, it may not include the
effect of amortization of bond premiums, and may include non-recurring
short-term capital gains and premiums from futures transactions engaged in by
the Fund. Distribution rates will be computed separately for each class of the
Fund's shares.

From time to time marketing materials may provide a portfolio manager
update, an Adviser update or discuss general economic conditions and outlooks.
The Fund's marketing materials may also show the Fund's asset class
diversification, top sector holdings and largest holdings. Materials may also
mention how the Distributor believes the Fund compares relative to other Van
Kampen funds. Materials may also discuss the Dalbar Financial Services study
from 1984 to 1994 which studied investor cash flow into and out of all types of
mutual funds. The ten-year study found that investors who bought mutual fund
shares and held such shares outperformed investors who bought and sold. The
Dalbar study conclusions were consistent regardless of whether shareholders
purchased their fund shares in direct or sales force distribution channels. The
study showed that investors working with a professional representative have
tended over time to earn higher returns than those who invested directly. The
performance of the funds purchased by the investors in the Dalbar study and the
conclusions based thereon are not necessarily indicative of future performance
of such funds or conclusions that may result from similar studies in the future.
The Fund may also be marketed on the internet.

In reports or other communications to shareholders or in advertising
material, the Fund may compare its performance with that of other mutual funds
as listed in the rankings or ratings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., CDA, Morningstar Mutual Funds or similar independent services which
monitor the performance of mutual funds with the Consumer Price Index, the Dow
Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor's indices, NASDAQ Composite Index,
other appropriate indices of investment securities, or with investment or
savings vehicles. The performance information may also include evaluations of
the Fund published by nationally recognized ranking or rating services and by
nationally recognized financial publications. Such comparative performance
information will be stated in the same terms in which the comparative data or
indices are

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stated. Such advertisements and sales material may also include a yield
quotation as of a current period. In each case, such total return and yield
information, if any, will be calculated pursuant to rules established by the SEC
and will be computed separately for each class of the Fund's shares. For these
purposes, the performance of the Fund, as well as the performance of other
mutual funds or indices, do not reflect sales charges, the inclusion of which
would reduce the Fund's performance. The Fund will include performance data for
each class of shares of the Fund in any advertisement or information including
performance data of the Fund.

The Fund may also utilize performance information in hypothetical
illustrations. For example, the Fund may, from time to time: (1) illustrate the
benefits of tax-deferral by comparing taxable investments to investments made
through tax-deferred retirement plans; (2) illustrate in graph or chart form, or
otherwise, the benefits of dollar cost averaging by comparing investments made
pursuant to a systematic investment plan to investments made in a rising market;
(3) illustrate allocations among different types of mutual funds for investors
at different stages of their lives; and (4) in reports or other communications
to shareholders or in advertising material, illustrate the benefits of
compounding at various assumed rates of return.

The Fund's Annual Report and Semiannual Report contain additional
performance information. A copy of the Annual Report or Semiannual Report may be
obtained without charge by calling or writing the Fund at the telephone number
and address printed on the cover of this Statement of Additional Information.

OTHER INFORMATION

CUSTODY OF ASSETS

All securities owned by the Fund and all cash, including proceeds from the
sale of shares of the Fund and of securities in the Fund's investment portfolio,
are held by State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, as custodian. The custodian also provides accounting
services to the Fund.

SHAREHOLDER REPORTS

Semiannual statements are furnished to shareholders, and annually such
statements are audited by the independent auditors.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Ernst & Young LLP, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606, the
independent auditors for the Fund, will perform an annual audit of the Fund's
financial statements.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Counsel to the Fund is Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois).

B-54
<PAGE> 79

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 23. EXHIBITS.
(a)(1) Agreement and Declaration of Trust(4)
(2) Certificate of Amendment(6)

(3) Certificate of Designation for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(6)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(6)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(7)
(v) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(vi) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund+
(vii) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(10)
</TABLE>

(b) By-Laws(7)

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(4)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(4)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(7)
(v) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(vi) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund+
(vii) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(10)
</TABLE>

(d)(1) Investment Advisory Agreement for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(5)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(5)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(5)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(7)
(v) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(vi) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund+
(vii) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(10)
</TABLE>

(2) Investment Subadvisory Agreement for Van Kampen Small Company
Growth Fund++

(e)(1) Distribution and Service Agreement for:

(2) Form of Dealer Agreement(9)
(3) Form of Broker Fully Disclosed Clearing Agreement(9)
(4) Form of Bank Fully Disclosed Clearing Agreement(9)
(f)(1) Form of Trustee Deferred Compensation Agreement(8)
(2) Form of Trustee Retirement Plan(8)
(g)(1) Custodian Contract(9)
(2) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement(5)
(h)(1) Fund Accounting Agreement(9)

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Amendment Number Five+
</TABLE>

(2) Amended and Restated Legal Services Agreement(9)

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Amendment Number Seven+
</TABLE>

(i)(1) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
(Illinois) for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(1)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(2)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(9)
(v) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(vi) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund+
(vii) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(10)
</TABLE>

(j)(1) Opinion of KPMG LLP for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(11)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(11)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
</TABLE>

(2) Consent of KPMG LLP for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(11)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(11)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(11)
</TABLE>

C-1
<PAGE> 80

(3) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(11)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(11)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(11)
(v) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(11)
</TABLE>

(4) Consent of Ernst and Young LLP for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
Van Kampen Utility Fund, Van Kampen Growth Fund, Van Kampen
Small Cap Value Fund, and Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(11)
(i)
Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(12)
(ii)
Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund+
(iii)
</TABLE>

(k) Not Applicable
(l) Letter of Understanding relating to initial capital(4)

(m)(1) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for:

<TABLE>
<C> <S>
(i) Van Kampen Utility Fund(4)
(ii) Van Kampen Growth Fund(4)
(iii) Van Kampen Aggressive Growth Fund(4)
(iv) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund(7)
(v) Van Kampen Small Company Growth Fund++
(vi) Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund+
(vii) Van Kampen Select Growth Fund(10)
</TABLE>

(2) Form of Shareholder Assistance Agreement(9)
(3) Form of Administrative Services Agreement(9)

(4) Service Plan for:

(n)(1) Amended Multi-Class Plan(5)
(2) Van Kampen Small Cap Value Fund Multi-Class Plan(9)

(3) Amended Multi-Class Plan for Van Kampen Aggressive Growth
Fund(12)

(p)(1) Code of Ethics of the Funds, Investment Adviser and
Distributor(12)

(2) Code of Ethics of the subadviser to Van Kampen Small Company
Growth Fund++

(q) Power of Attorney+

(z)(1) List of certain investment companies in response to Item 27(a)+
(2) List of Officers and Directors of Van Kampen Funds Inc. in
response to Item 27(b)+
---------------
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on August 1, 1995.

(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 13, 1995.

(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on March 15, 1996.

(4) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 28, 1996.

(5) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on October 28, 1997.

(6) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on September 30, 1998.

(7) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on March 1, 1999.

(8) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to Van
Kampen Harbor Fund's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File Numbers
2-12685 and 811-734, filed April 29, 1999.

(9) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on June 16, 1999.

(10) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on April 24, 2000.

(11) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on July 27, 2000.

C-2
<PAGE> 81

(12) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to
Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 33-8122, filed
on September 25, 2000.

+ Filed herewith.
++ To be filed by further amendment.

ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.

None.

ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION.

Pursuant to Del. Code Ann. Title 12, Section 3817, a Delaware business
trust may provide in its governing instrument for the indemnification of its
officers and trustees from and against any and all claims and demands
whatsoever.

Reference is made to Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Registrant's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust, as amended, Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Agreement
and Declaration of Trust provides that each officer and trustee of the
Registrant shall be indemnified by the Registrant against all liabilities
incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or
other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which the officer or trustee may
be or may have been involved by reason of being or having been an officer or
trustee, except that such indemnity shall not protect any such person against a
liability to the Registrant or any shareholder thereof to which such person
would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) not acting in good faith in the
reasonable belief that such person's actions were not in the best interests of
the Trust, (ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless
disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's office or (iii)
for a criminal proceeding, not having a reasonable cause to believe that such
conduct was unlawful (collectively, "Disabling Conduct"). Absent a court
determination that an officer or trustee seeking indemnification was not liable
on the merits or guilty of Disabling Conduct in the conduct of such person's
office, the decision by the Registrant to indemnify such person must be based
upon the reasonable determination of independent legal counsel in a written
opinion or a majority of a quorum of non-party independent trustees, after
review of the facts, that such officer or trustee is not guilty of Disabling
Conduct, in the conduct of his or her office.

The Registrant has purchased insurance on behalf of its officers and
trustees protecting such persons from liability arising from their activities as
officers or trustees of the Registrant. The insurance does not protect or
purport to protect such persons from liability to the Registrant or to its
shareholders to which such officers or trustees would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.

Conditional advancing of indemnification monies may be made if the trustee
or officer undertakes to repay the advance and only if the following conditions
are met: (1) the trustee or officer provides a security for the undertaking; (2)
the Registrant is insured against losses arising from lawful advances; or (3) a
majority of a quorum of the Registrant's disinterested, non-party trustees, or
an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based upon a
review of readily available facts, that a recipient of the advance ultimately
will be found entitled to indemnification.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "1933 Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by the trustee, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in
connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

C-3
<PAGE> 82

Pursuant to Section 7 of the Distribution and Service Agreement, the
Registrant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the
"Distributor") and each of its trustees and officers and each person, if any,
who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable
cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages,
or expense and reasonable counsel fees) arising by reason of any person
acquiring any shares, based upon the ground that the Registration Statement,
prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made public by the
Registrant (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or
necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances, not
misleading under the 1933 Act, or any other statute or the common law. The
Registrant does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it harmless to
the extent that the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in
conformity with, information furnished to the Registrant by or on behalf of the
Distributor. In no case is the indemnity of the Registrant in favor of the
Distributor or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Distributor or
any person against any liability to the Fund or its security holders to which
the Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the
agreement.

Pursuant to the agreement by which Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.
("Investor Services") is appointed transfer agent of the Fund, the Registrant
agrees to indemnify and hold Investor Services harmless against any losses,
damages, costs, charges, payments, liabilities and expenses (including
reasonable counsel fees) arising out of or attributable to:

(1) the performance of Investor Services under the agreement provided that
Investor Services acted in good faith with due diligence and without negligence
or willful misconduct.

(2) reliance by Investor Services on, or reasonable use by, Investor Services
of information, records and documents which have been prepared on behalf of, or
have been furnished by, the Fund, or the carrying out by Investor Services of
any instructions or requests of the Fund.

(3) the offer or sale of the Fund's shares in violation of any federal or
state law or regulation or ruling by any federal agency unless such violation
results from any failure by Investor Services to comply with written
instructions from the Fund that such offers or sales were not permitted under
such law, rule or regulation.

(4) the refusal of the Fund to comply with terms of the agreement, or the
Fund's lack of good faith, negligence or willful misconduct or breach of any
representation or warranty made by the Fund under the agreement provided that if
the reason for such failure is attributable to any action of the Fund's
investment adviser or distributor or any person providing accounting or legal
services to the Fund, Investor Services only will be entitled to indemnification
if such entity is otherwise entitled to the indemnification from the Fund.

See also "Investment Advisory Agreement" in each Statement of Additional
Information.

ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER:

See "Investment Advisory Services" in each Prospectus and "Investment
Advisory Agreement," "Other Agreements," and "Trustees and Officers" in each
Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the business of
Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser"). For information as to the
business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each
officer and director of the Adviser, reference is made to the Adviser's current
Form ADV (File No. 801-18161) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended, incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

(a) The sole principal underwriter is Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the
"Distributor") which acts as principal underwriter for certain investment
companies and unit investment trusts. See Exhibit (z)(1) incorporated by
reference herein.

(b) Van Kampen Funds Inc., is an affiliated person of the Registrant and is
the only principal underwriter for the Registrant. The name, principal business
address and position and office with Van Kampen

C-4
<PAGE> 83

Funds Inc. of each of its directors and officers are disclosed in Exhibit
(z)(2). Except as disclosed under the heading, "Trustees and Officers" in Part B
of this Registration Statement, none of such persons has any position or office
with the Registrant.

ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

All accounts, books and other documents of the Registrant required by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Rules
thereunder to be maintained (i) by the Registrant will be maintained at its
offices located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555, or
at Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., 7501 Tiffany Springs Parkway, Kansas City,
Missouri 64153, or at the State Street Bank and Trust Company, 1776 Heritage
Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts 02171; (ii) by the Adviser, will be
maintained at its offices, located at 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace,
Illinois 60181-5555; and (iii) by Van Kampen Funds Inc., the principal
underwriter, will be maintained at its offices located at 1 Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555.

ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS.

Not applicable.

C-5
<PAGE> 84

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"1933 Act"), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant,
VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST, certifies that it meets all of the requirements for
effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized in the City of Oakbrook Terrace and the State of Illinois, on the
19th day of October, 2000.

VAN KAMPEN EQUITY TRUST

By: /s/ A. THOMAS SMITH III
-------------------------------------
A. Thomas Smith III, Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Amendment to the
Registration Statement has been signed on October 19, 2000, by the following
persons in the capacities indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURES TITLE
---------- -----
<C> <S>
Principal Executive Officer:
/s/ RICHARD F. POWERS, III* Trustee and President
------------------------------------------------
Richard F. Powers, III
Principal Financial Officer:

/s/ JOHN L. SULLIVAN* Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
------------------------------------------------ Treasurer
John L. Sullivan
Trustees:

/s/ J. MILES BRANAGAN* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
J. Miles Branagan

/s/ JERRY D. CHOATE* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Jerry D. Choate

/s/ LINDA HUTTON HEAGY* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Linda Hutton Heagy

/s/ R. CRAIG KENNEDY* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
R. Craig Kennedy

/s/ MITCHELL M. MERIN* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Mitchell M. Merin

/s/ JACK E. NELSON* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Jack E. Nelson

/s/ PHILLIP B. ROONEY* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Phillip B. Rooney

/s/ FERNANDO SISTO* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Fernando Sisto

/s/ WAYNE W. WHALEN* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Wayne W. Whalen

/s/ SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY* Trustee
------------------------------------------------
Suzanne H. Woolsey
---------------
* Signed by A. Thomas Smith III pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith.
/s/ A. THOMAS SMITH III October 19, 2000
------------------------------------------------
A. Thomas Smith III
Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>

C-6
<PAGE> 85

SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITS TO POST-EFFECTIVE

AMENDMENT NO. 41 TO FORM N-1A

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NO. EXHIBIT
----------- -------
<S> <C>
(a)(3)(vi) Certificate of Designation for Van Kampen Small Cap Growth
Fund
(c)(vi) Specimen Share Certificate for Van Kampen Small Cap Growth
Fund
(d)(1)(vi) Investment Advisory Agreement for Van Kampen Small Cap
Growth Fund
(e)(1)(vi) Distribution and Service Agreement for Van Kampen Small Cap
Growth Fund
(h)(1)(i) Fund Accounting Agreement Amendment Number Five
(2)(i) Amended and Restated Legal Services Agreement Amendment
Number Seven
(i)(1)(vi) Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
(Illinois) for Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund
(j)(4)(iii) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP for Van Kampen Small Cap Growth
Fund
(m)(1)(vi) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Van Kampen
Small Cap Growth Fund
(m)(4)(vi) Service Plan for Van Kampen Small Cap Growth Fund
(q) Power of Attorney
(z)(1) List of certain investment companies in response to Item
27(a)
(z)(2) List of Officers and Directors of Van Kampen Funds Inc. in
response to Item 27(b)
</TABLE>