Institutional Leadership

He reported that Jonathan Meer, the new Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, joined the University on July 1 and that the national searches for the associate dean/executive director of the College of Continuing Studies and for the director of international programs are reaching the on-campus interview stage. It is anticipated that these positions will be filled later this semester. He also noted that Timothy Brown, former director of music at Clare College of Cambridge University and conductor of the Cambridge Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra, will serve as interim choral conductor at Westminster while the search for a permanent director continues.

Integration of Campuses

With regard to the integration of our campuses, President Rozanski said, "We have accomplished much across a number of divisions resulting in more effective management and reporting, greater synergy, improved fundraising and enhanced recruitment of and service to students." In the academic area, he cited academic calendar alignment, connected programs such as the arts management and American studies minors, and a variety of performances across both campuses as examples. Greater student government collaboration, joint orientation initiatives, the move to one yearbook and a weekend shuttle between campuses are examples of integration in the student life area.

Academic Program Initiatives

President Rozanski reminded the community of the many new academic programs developed this past year including the Executive MBA, the CBA laptop initiative, the Master of Arts in Teaching, and the new computer information systems and film and media studies minors. He praised the new Celebration of Student Research and Creativity, organized by Professor Stephanie Golski, of psychology, as “a wonderful example of student-faculty collaboration that enhances our students’ academic experience.” He also cited the launch this fall of the new baccalaureate honors learning community and the successful progress of the Center for the Development of Leadership Skills (CDLS) and the Lecture Series.

President Rozanski announced that two new program options were developed at Rider for students from Sanda University in Shanghai, a combined BS/MBA and BS/MAcc, and that a BS in communications is currently in development.

In highlighting facilities enhancements, President Rozanski pointed to the Noel-Levitz student satisfaction survey and the Rider faculty survey, results of which have reinforced the need to invest in facility improvements on both campuses. He outlined a variety of facilities enhancements over the past two years, and spoke of the importance of the new residence hall, which opened September 1, and the Student Recreation Center (SRC), due for completion in October. He also noted the renovation this past year of the freshman biology lab, construction of the new baseball and intramural fields, completion of five Lawrenceville residence hall pod roof replacements, and the work currently under way in renovating the studio theater.

At Westminster, installation has begun on a new campus-wide heating system that will also result in replacement of the academic quad sidewalks. Bristol Chapel has been renovated with new paint, chairs and a sprinkler system. And next year at this time, Westminster will begin planning its schedule in the new performance auditorium that Princeton High School is building across the street from that campus with Rider funding support.

Fundraising/Revenue Generation

President Rozanski thanked the development staff for its efforts in a challenging year and reported that the 2004-05 results for both campuses showed a combined total of $6.75 million in cash, pledges and matching gift commitments, an increase of 64 percent over the previous year. "Without a doubt, a chief factor was the commitment of trustees, alumni and friends to our various capital projects. We gained a significant increase in cash support as well," he said. Adding to this success was the almost $800,000 in gross revenues achieved through summer conferences and camps.

Enrollment Management

President Rozanski praised the enrollment management and admissions staff as well as others throughout the institution who worked very hard to make this year's recruitment effort successful. Overall, full-time undergraduate enrollment is up on both campuses and has met goal. Undergraduate selectivity, SAT scores and market share also increased over last year and freshman retention is up by 0.6 percent from this time last year. In addition, summer enrollment revenue exceeded goal.