In addition, a new research effort on potential socioeconomic impacts will be initiated to understand the impact of nanotechnology on industry and society. Some of the center's activities in nanobiotechnology may be housed in the planned biotechnology building, slated for completion by the end of 2003. "The Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center will provide a major resource to advance the enormous scientific promise represented by nanotechnology," said President Jackson. "The center will also educate those who will advance corporate research and development in nanotechnology here in New York state and across the nation." Industry support for the Rensselaer Nanotechnology Center already has been established through the RPI-Industry Partnership in Nanotechnology, which supports Rensselaer's research and educational efforts in nanotechnology. The partnerships include ABB U.S. in Norwalk, Conn.; Albany International in Menands, N.Y.; Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y.; Philip Morris in Richmond, Va.; and IBM in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; which together contribute $1 million each year to the center. Additional companies are expected to join as partners. The center already has federal funding in excess of $1 million per year and will be seeking support from a variety of government agencies interested in basic and applied research. Graduate Engineering Program Ranked 25th by U.S. News & World Report: Guide praises focus on entrepreneurship Rensselaer's graduate school of engineering was ranked 25th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report in its newest guide to the "Best Graduate Schools." The full rankings will be available at www.usnews.com on Monday, April 2. The engineering school's numerical ranking went from 19th to 25th where it is tied with Virginia Tech.
The school improved in overall score, reputation among recruiters, GRE scores, acceptance rate, research expenditures, and research expenditure per faculty member. The latter was a 21 percent increase. Rensselaer is showcased in a feature story titled, "Engineering: Innovative Programs Can Help You Become a Technical Wizard-and a Savvy Entrepreneur." The story, which appears on page 36 of the guide, profiles Matthew Freshman who will graduate in May with a master's degree in biomedical engineering. The annual guide touts Rensselaer as being among those graduate schools of engineering that help enterprising students become leaders in business and industry. "Rather than burying star pupils in ever-narrower fields of research, engineering schools are encouraging graduate students to broaden their experiences and consider the entrepreneurial potential of their work," says author Janet Rae-Dupree. The U.S. News & World Report "Best Graduate Schools" guide will remain on newsstands for approximately one year. Some stories may be reprinted in subsequent weekly issues of U.S. News as well.
Lisa Trahan Promoted to Dean of the New Office of the First Year Experience
The office, along with Trahan's promotion, is the first step in restructuring and enriching the overall first-year experience of students as outlined in the Rensselaer Plan, said Eddie Ade Knowles, interim vice president for student life. Reporting to the vice president for student life, Trahan will work with all campus departments to establish the most effective programs for freshmen, and first-year transfer and graduate students. Trahan came to Rensselaer in July 1997 as assistant dean of students and director of orientation. She was promoted to associate dean of students last year. Prior to her positions at Rensselaer, she worked as assistant director for orientation at the University at Albany, where she assisted in the development, supervision, and implementation of orientation and first-year programs. Trahan earned her bachelor's in elementary education and a master's in student personnel administration at the State University of New York College at Buffalo. Several other student-life staff members have been promoted or reassigned to the new department. Cynthia Smith, coordinator of special projects for the Rensselaer Union, and Nicole Qualtieri, assistant dean of students, have been appointed assistant deans for the First Year Experience. Denna Patterson, dean of students administrative secretary, has been reassigned to the new office. "We chose members of our Rensselaer community to fill in these very important new positions because of their talent and expertise," Knowles said. "This team will move forward expeditiously to implement the first phase of the recommendations of the Task Force on the First Year Experience, as detailed in the Student Life Portfolio Performance Plan." Trahan will hire one more assistant dean for the new office. New employees will be hired to fill in the positions that have been vacated by the staff who have been promoted or reassigned to the new department, Knowles said. Acting on recommendations from both the internal and external review committees and the IT Leadership Task Force, President Jackson has transferred responsibility for the administrative oversight of Rensselaer's Information Technology program to the School of Science, under the direction of the Dean of Science.
As part of this change, an IT academic committee, advisory to the provost and includesassociate deans from each of the five academic schools, will be established to ensure the interdisciplinary nature of the program. Previously, the vice provost for IT reported directly to the provost and had academic oversight for the program. Jackson said the move would strengthen both the academic and research programs related to IT. Jackson will identify needs for key investments in infrastructure and facilities in support of IT research programs. She also will establish an interdisciplinary research center, called the Information Science and Technology Research Institute (ISTRI), under the auspices of the vice president for research. The reorganization will allow the development of a broad-based research agenda that will encompass all five of the academic schools within the Institute, Jackson said. The research center, with faculty working across a broad range of disciplines, would also serve to strengthen the collaboration among faculty from the various areas, and will serve to promote the interdisciplinary nature of the IT program. Rensselaer to Observe National Sexual Assault Awareness Week To raise awareness of sexual assault, including rape, Rensselaer will participate in the national observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Week, April 9-12. On-campus events are co-sponsored by the Student Health Center and RenSAT (Rensselaer Sexual Awareness Team), a student-run group on campus. Information and ribbons will be distributed Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Rensselaer Union. Information will also be offered 4:30- 6:30 p.m. in the following locations: Monday, Sage Dining Hall; Tuesday, Commons; Wednesday, Burdett Avenue Residence Hall. Other events include:
For more information, contact Terri Kersch, Rensselaer health educator, ext. 2305 or kersct@rpi.edu. Front
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Entertainer
and educator Bill Cosby will be the featured speaker at Rensselaer's
Commencement this spring.
The
President also announced the creation of the Rensselaer Center
for Nanotechnology Research and 
Lisa
Trahan, associate dean of students, has been promoted to dean
of the Office of the First Year Experience, a new office established
by President Jackson, effective April 1.