In her first major address to the Rensselaer community­—outside of the EMPAC opening—this academic year, Jackson covered topics ranging from facility updates to faculty and staff achievements, new academic programs, safety updates, and budget planning.

To begin the meeting, Jackson greeted the audience and stated that the meeting was “an opportunity for all of us to become familiar with EMPAC.” This past weekend marked the second weekend of opening events for EMPAC. Looking back to her inauguration as president, Jackson emphasized her challenge of taking risks on new initiatives and celebrated the facilities or “platforms” of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations, and EMPAC.

There have been several additions to and shifting of positions among the faculty. Jackson welcomed Constellation Professor Peter Fox, Director of the CBIS Jonathan Dordick, Constellation Chair Robert Linhardt, Vice President for Institue Advancement Robert Schlesinger, Dean of Graduate Education Stanley Dunn, and Assistant Vice President of the Student Experience Lisa Trahan to their new positions among the RPI community.

Jackson also congratulated Jacqueline Farmer, a telecommunications analyst in the Division of the Chief Information Officer, on receiving the 2008 Pillar of Rensselaer Award, the highest honor the Institute gives to a staff member. Farmer, who has been an employee for over 20 years, was commended for being a role model for other employees as well as showing concern for students and volunteering at RPI events.

Jackson noted the accomplishments of the Class of 2012 and the next incoming class. The 1,356 freshman attending this fall came from a pool of 11,200 applications. This represents another year of increasing SAT score averages as well as a broadening of diversity. It is anticipated that next year’s class will also have strong qualifications and interest; there have already been 83,000 inquiries in total, which comes to about 20 percent ahead of last year’s numbers to date. There have also been increases in the number and diversity of this year’s entering graduate students, with regards to underrepresented students, RPI undergraduates enrolling in graduate school here, and students outside of the New England area.

Jackson also noted that the retention of students reached an all time high, saying that the “effectiveness and care provided by our student life program … are validated by our retention.” There is a 96 percent retention rate for women, 94 percent for men, and 89 percent for underrepresented minorities. Jackson also shared that the Sophomore Year Experience will be launched in the Fall of 2010 with the Class of 2013, saying that, “We expected it to be important and exciting.” Part of the Sophomore Year Experience is a requirement for sophomores to live on campus. Jackson briefly touched on the Clustered Learning Advocacy and Support for Students Residence Model that should engage students through their class year and residential situations.

Jackson expressed optimism for the Rensselaer Engineering Education Across Cultural Horizons study abroad program, as this year marks its first year with engineering juniors traveling to Denmark and Singapore. She stated that the intent of the administration is that the program will be fully implemented in 2015, with all engineering juniors being expected to participate in an international experience.

During the meeting, Jackson highlighted some of the research achievements of Rensselaer faculty, including the collaboration of Mark Shepard and Kenneth Jansen of the Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Department in Department of Energy simulations; Douglas Whittet of the School of Science in receiving a NASA grant; and Linhardt in his collaborative research success on the blood thinner Heparin. Jackson also noted the new collaboration of the Baruch Center, which focuses on research in solar bioenergy.

There has been progress in the renovation of the campus facilities, with Phase I of the East Campus Athletic Village slated for completion in August 2009. Renovation of the north side of the Houston Field House, which includes the upgrading and expansion of the locker rooms, should be completed later this month. West Hall restoration is still in progress, with the restoration of the Eighth Street entrance, including the Approach, completed. Jackson also noted the slope stabilization done for both West Hall and the Carnegie building.

With regards to the budget, Jackson emphasized the focus on increased revenue generation in light of the economic situation. Accordingly, the budget plan includes a provision that involves the assessment and adjustment of critical areas as need be. Jackson expects to reduce expenses in preparation of the probable decrease of resources. The contingency plans for a hiring freeze, attrition management, and a focus on finding innovative methods to cut costs and achieve strategic goals have already been taken.

Jackson concluded, “I thank you now and I thank you in advance for your generosity of spirit in these challenging times. I know we can count on each other.”

There were only two audience members who asked questions. One professor inquired about the health insurance benefits for graduate students. Leslie Lawrence, Medical Director of the Health Center, responded to the effect that there are plans to work with graduate students to find a new plan. In fact, according to Graduate Council President Daniel Horvath, the Graduate Council is working with Dunn to discuss graduate health insurance in the near future.