With that, the questions and discussion began in earnest. The first question came from a member of the Rusty Pipes a cappella group, who asked if RPI would consider funding the club. Unlike the Rensselyrics, the Pipes had refused Union funding because they disliked the prospect of putting their leftover money in someone else’s hands, as well as the regulatory “strings” attached to Union funding. Jackson directed them to Vice President for Student Life Eddie Ade Knowles, but indicated that they had really put the limitations on themselves and Institute funding would come with additional strings attached.

A graduate student from the group that is working to promote colloquia was present and questioned Jackson about the concept of colloquia on campus generally, and asking her the best way to go about promoting them. Jackson, as well as many students, volunteered ideas and impressions. A common sentiment echoed by both students and Jackson was the Institute’s lack of speakers on campus. Some speakers mentioned were the founders of Google and Nobel Prizes winners. The non-existent advertising at RPI and communication were also discussed.

Another query came from several greek students present who asked about the future role of greek life at RPI. Jackson spoke of how she had recently met with the Interfraternity Council and had a good discussion. She volunteered her thoughts, saying, “The whole … of greek life cannot revolve around alcohol. RPI prefers self-governance and self-policing, but the university has a responsibility to its students.”

On the topic of budgets and budget cuts, Jackson delivered a lengthy explanation. The budget was originally at 105 percent of what it had been prior because many administrators had asked for more money, indicating that they would generate more revenues. Furthermore, RPI has two pension plans, defined benefit and defined contribution. The defined benefit plan is a deprecated plan that is very expensive to maintain and has unpredictable costs (RPI had to contribute an extra $10 million this year), while the defined contribution plan has a known cost. When expected revenues from the increased spending didn’t materialize, it was decided to bring the budget to 94.5 percent.

On top of that, extra money was added for enrollment-related costs, merit raises, and other programs—which required the tightening of activities budgets. Jackson concluded by stating that the she wanted the Institute to have a balanced budget and urged students to keep in mind that 85 percent of the budget is salaries and benefits.

Another student asked about the dearth of constellation professors in the Lally School of Management. Jackson said that the plan for constellation professors is meant to strengthen RPI’s core competencies in science and engineering and that Lally has had other more structural improvements—beginning with the recent hiring of David Gautschi, the Lally School of Management and Technology dean.

On a more sensitive topic, a question was asked regarding the disclosure of detailed RPI budget data. Jackson replied that all the data that could be spoken about (given competitive considerations) had been revealed to the Student Senate via their representative to the Board of Trustees Finance Committee, Nick Wood ’07. She urged interested students to seek out what data was already available.

One of the last questions came from President of the Union, James Fisher ’07, who asked Jackson that if she “could have anything done tomorrow, what would it be?” Jackson, after mentioning she had a Staples “easy button” on her desk, replied, “I would really like us to be a community that has people who don’t worry so much.” She further elaborated, saying students should try to trust that the Institute has the most basic of its functions well in hand.