On Thursday, Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson held a town meeting to discuss the state of the Institute. In her address, she talked about last May’s commencement, honors and awards achieved by faculty and students, research, the $360 million gift, recent appointments, new facilities, and goals and plans for the future.
"The state of our Institute is outstanding," said Jackson. She listed many of the achievements and records that have been set during her administration, including a $62 million increase in donations and gifts to the school.
The undergraduate enrollment for this year is "on target with our goals for the overall size of the undergraduate student body," said Jackson. There was also a record increase in the number of applications and selectivity of students.
Jackson listed some of the awards and honors that were given to students and faculty. The Lally School of management and Technology ranked sixth in Success Magazine and 13th U.S. News & World Report for enterpreneurship and entrepreneurship programs. "We are positioning ourselves to move up in all of these rankings," she said. Other honors include five Early Career Awards from the National Science Foundation and a $10 million research grant over five years to support research in nanostructures. Moreover, the number of invention disclosures doubled from 26 to 52 in the 2000-2001 fiscal year.
An issue that has been brought up repeatedly in previous town meetings—faculty searches and placements—was also discussed. Eighteen new faculty positions have been created, of which 10 have been filled, and of the 16 vacated positions, 11 have been replaced. Jackson said that the Institute "will attract high-profile, well-regarded faculty."
The $360 million gift to the Institute, which has been exceeded by a recent gift to Stanford University, is still the largest given by an individual. $20.4 million has been committed to a program of "renovation, renewal, and deferred maintenance projects across campus," Jackson said.
Biotechnology and information technology have been identified as key areas of focus in research programs. The president says that these are two areas in which Rensselaer should play a major role. The infrastructure, and specifically the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, will be critical. "This magnificent structure will rank among the world’s most advanced research facilities," Jackson said.
Schematic designs and architectural plans of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies and the Electronic Media and Performing Arts Center were shown. The EMPAC itself "will be a work of art," said Jackson. It was designed by Nicholas P. Grimshaw and Partners, an architecture firm based in London. The firm was selected from among four firms in a juried competition this summer.
The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies will be located on 15th Street, across from the Armory. It will be built on what is currently a parking lot between the Gallager Infirmary and Academy Hall.
"We still have far to go," said Jackson. She pointed out that our current endowment per student is $73,000, while other peer universities such as MIT and Williams College have an endowment of $650,000 per student, nearly 10 times more.
"While we are well on our way, our journey is just beginning," she said.
