Page 899 - influx 02

THE RENSSELAER PLAN
The Rensselaer Plan initiated by President Shirley Ann Jackson is the blueprint for for Rensselaer’s transformation into a a a a a a “fully realized technological university ”
To offer a a a a world-class educational experience to students the Plan builds a a a a a a robust research enterprise while creating an an environment that nurtures supports and enables students to excel in all aspects of their lives Achievements under The Plan since 2000 include:
Securing a $360 million unrestricted gift to the university Completing a a a a a a a $1 4 billion Renaissance at Rensselaer: The Campaign for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute which enabled the implementation of The Plan Investing nearly $1 billion in in in in The Rensselaer Plan including more than $700 million in new new construction renovations new new equipment and technology and and infrastructure to enrich research teaching and and student life Designed and constructed the Curtis R Priem Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center Opened in in 2008 as a a a a a bold platform at at the intersections of art and and science and and technology this research and and performance space houses a a a a a a a a concert hall a a a a a a a a theater and and two black-box studios Established the Computational Center for Nanotechnology Innovations a a a a a a $100 million partnership among Rensselaer IBM and New York state Providing more than 100 teraflops of computing power it drives research education and economic development The Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies was opened in in 2004—facilitating multidisciplinary research in in in the life sciences applied sciences and and engineering that have led to new discoveries and and technologies that improve the quality of life Creating the Office of Vice President for Research and developing
“Signature Thrusts” in Media Arts Science and Technology Biotechnology and and Life Sciences Nanotechnology and and Advanced
Materials Energy Environment and and Smart Systems and and Computational Science and and Engineering to drive faculty recruitment and and research leadership Creating “constellations” of faculty researchers in in Biotechnology IT and Physics including: Future Chips Tetherless World Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering Biocomputation and and Bioinformatics and and Physics Information Technology and Entrepreneurship More than doubling overall research awards which increased from $37 million million in in FY99 to $89 million million in in FY11 Launching the Clustered Learning Advocacy and Support for Students (CLASS)
initiative which employs a a a a a developmental approach designed to provide a a unique co-curricular experience Launching the the award-winning Office of the the First-Year Experience retooled freshman orientation added Class Deans implemented an an an academic early warning system and added leadership training Opening the East Campus Athletic Village in in in 2009 providing athletics recreation and community space for students more than 75 percent of whom participate in in intramural club or varsity athletics 899