Trustees Reaffirm Progress of The Rensselaer Plan at December Meeting

TROY, N.Y. – After a review of accomplishments under Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s strategic plan, and in response to a recent Faculty Senate Chain of Command Satisfaction Survey, the Institute’s Board of Trustees adopted a resolution strongly endorsing the leadership of President Shirley Ann Jackson and the development and progress of The Rensselaer Plan, at its regular winter meeting this past weekend.

Board Members unanimously adopted the resolution to “recognize and enthusiastically affirm that the development and progress of The Rensselaer Plan is exemplary; and the results being produced are consistent with the Board’s stated goal of moving Rensselaer into the ranks of world-class universities as we enter into the 21st century.”  The Board applauded President Jackson and her leadership team for this “most important and transformational endeavor for Rensselaer.”

“We believe that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, under President Jackson’s leadership and the tireless efforts of the great majority of our faculty and staff, is undergoing a transformation that is extraordinary and deserves to be applauded,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Samuel F. Heffner Jr. ‘56.  “The change underway is clear and visible – gifted new faculty, a dramatic rise in research funding, new and refurbished facilities campus-wide, stellar students, and strengthened financial condition – and is exactly what Rensselaer needs to be doing to continue to grow as a world class institution.  This university is on the right track and moving full speed ahead.”

“The Institute is undergoing fast-paced and extraordinary change, and change is difficult,” Heffner said.  “Based on our discussions with members of the Faculty Senate, on our review of the Chain of Command Satisfaction Survey, and on the responses we have received from our faculty and others, we do not believe that the survey accurately reflects the reality on campus. We will continue to listen and learn, but we will not allow this event to detract from what President Jackson and the great majority of our outstanding faculty, with the support of the Board of Trustees, have been able to accomplish in just a few short years, nor will we allow it to stand in the way of the work that is yet to be done.”

Rensselaer Provost G.P. “Bud” Peterson expressed “great disappointment” with the way the faculty survey was conducted and reported.  “Under the leadership of President Shirley Ann Jackson, we have made tremendous progress towards becoming a top-tier world-class research university,” Peterson said.  “This is particularly true of the changes made to the Graduate Tuition and Student Support Policy under the leadership of Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education, Thomas Apple.”  

“It is discouraging that the views of a few would be allowed to cast a negative light on the accomplishments of the majority here on campus who are working so diligently to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers,” Peterson said.

The Rensselaer Plan, initiated in 1999, is a comprehensive strategic plan for the Institute, and serves as the catalyst for change. The Plan defines the Institute’s core enterprises and sets forth goals for the coming year.

Following is the full text of the Board of Trustees Resolution:

Resolution of the Board of Trustees

With Regard To The Rensselaer Plan and President Shirley Ann Jackson

We the Board of Trustees of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute do hereby unanimously and without reservation commend Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson on her outstanding execution of the duties of President of Rensselaer as being totally and completely to the satisfaction of the Board.

And, further, recognize and enthusiastically affirm that (1) the development and progress of the Rensselaer Plan is exemplary; and, (2) the results being produced are consistent with the Board’s (from the programmatic to the physical plant) stated goal of moving Rensselaer into the ranks of world class universities as we enter into the 21st century.

And, further, that the Board reaffirms its unqualified support for Dr. Jackson in this most important and transformational endeavor for Rensselaer.

December 18, 2004

Contact: Theresa Bourgeois
Phone: (518) 276-2840
E-mail: bourgt@rpi.edu