Simone paper addresses Strategic Plan implementation

Addressing both the reasons behind the need to develop RIT's Strategic Plan and the specific projects that will be tackled in getting there, President Simone addressed the RIT community this week in a detailed eight-page paper, "RIT's Vigorous Response to Its Strategic Priorities, Financial Realities and Student Obligations."

Simone explains that while RIT currently is in strong financial shape—probably among the top 20 percent of financially healthy universities in the nation—it is imperative t o reallocate the budget and generate additional revenue.

He outlined $17.5 million in projects identified through strategic planning and academic and administrative program reviews that include reducing tuition increases to the rate of inflation; computer and high-speed telecommunications upgrades; classroom renovations and building repairs; residence hall and apartment renovation; upgrades for Ritter Ice Arena and Clark Gymnasium to allow for better event use; bringing salary levels up to the 50th percentile; campus safety; and seed funding for academic programs and reserves for plant restoration, contingency and other strategic initiatives, such as restoration of athletic fields and addition of two new intercollegiate sports.

Funding for these projects will come from the $6.5 million savings created through the managed attrition program, which ended May 1, and through program review and budget reallocation.

Through a series of reports and discussions, academic and administrative program review has identified expenditure reallocations and new revenue generation opportunities that total $13.6 million. These will occur over a three-year period.

Simone also announced that he would seek input from throughout the campus through a series of six small-group meetings to be held at various times between May 20 and June 14 and through meetings with student, staff and faculty governance groups. In addition, the president invited e-mail response to his memo.