skip navigation

This page is designed for modern browsers. You will have a better experience with a better browser.

Brown Home Brown Home Office of the President Office of the President

Letter from the President

May 2007

Dear Members of the Brown Community,

At its final meeting of the academic year, the Corporation took a number of important actions yesterday that I wanted to share.Highlights of the meeting are noted below with links to additional details on the Web.

As we announced at the February meeting, Stephen Robert's '62 term as the University's 19th chancellor will conclude on June 30, 2007.During his tenure, the University has experienced significant change and progress through the expansion of the faculty and the creation of new
academic centers and institutes. There has been noteworthy growth in the endowment and in philanthropic giving to Brown over the past nine years, allowing for investments in critical areas such as financial aid, faculty support and the campus infrastructure.The Corporation celebrated Steve's leadership and dedication to Brown at a dinner on Thursday evening.He will be succeeded as chancellor on July 1, 2007 by Thomas J. Tisch, a member of the Class of 1976.
http://www.brown.edu/news/2006-07/06-102.html

Marie Langlois '64 will also conclude her position as vice chancellor of the University at the end of June.Marie has made many noteworthy contributions to Brown during her years of service on the Corporation, and we extend our gratitude to her.She will be succeeded as vice chancellor by Jerome Vascellaro '74 on July 1.

ACTIONS OF THE CORPORATION

The Corporation elected ten new trustees to six-year terms -- five of them nominated by the Corporation itself and five nominated by the University's alumni body through the Brown Alumni Association elections.Brief biographical notes on the new trustees are available online:
http://www.brown.edu/news/2006-07/06-166.html

Faculty Support/Academic Programs

Supporting the work of the Brown faculty is one of the highest priorities of the Plan for Academic Enrichment. The Corporation approved the establishment of seven new endowed professorships in a variety of areas and disciplines, including a new professorship and endowed lecture series in modern Middle Eastern history: http://www.brown.edu/news/2006-07/06-167.html

The Corporation approved a new policy for faculty sabbatical leaves that had been endorsed by the Faculty Affairs Committee and the faculty. The policy, designed to enhance opportunities for faculty scholarship by providing additional time for research, will allow faculty to take a semester of leave at 75 percent salary after six semesters of teaching.

The William R. Rhodes Center in International Economics, approved by the Corporation, will promote research on international trade, finance and entrepreneurship.

A new Institute for Molecular and Nanoscale Innovation (IMANI), approved by the Corporation, will catalyze additional multidisciplinary collaborations in nanoscale science among Brown faculty in engineering, chemistry, physics, and other physical sciences, and will provide a new bridge from the physical sciences to the life sciences and medicine. Within IMANI, a new Center forNanoscience and Soft Matter will foster undergraduate education, as well as faculty and student research in the rapidly expanding field of nanoscience.

The Corporation also approved developing certificate programs in Summer and Continuing Studies.

Facilities

Earlier this semester, the University permanently closed the Smith Swim Center because of irreversible deterioration of major support structures in the roof. The Corporation, having considered many options, approved a two-part course of action. Subject to the City's approval of the recommended site behind the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center, the University will build a temporary training facility for its intercollegiate aquatic teams. The Corporation authorized work to begin on planning for the construction of a new swim center on the site of the current Smith Swim Center with an expected opening in the summer of 2010.

The Corporation accepted an additional $5 million from Jonathan M. Nelson '77, bringing his total gift for the Nelson Fitness Center project to $15 million. The Nelson Fitness Center is currently in its design phase.
http://www.brown.edu/news/2006-07/06-171.html

Additional Gifts Approved

Among the other gifts accepted by the Corporation was a gift from a Brown parent and grandparent, who wishes to remain anonymous, of $5 million to support the theater arts at Brown. The Corporation also approved the establishment of seven professorships, including two in Orthopaedics: The Lucy Lippitt Professorship in Orthopaedics and The Henry F. Lippitt Professorship in Orthopaedics Research.

STRATEGIC DISCUSSION

On Thursday afternoon, the provost and vice president for research provided current and former members of the Corporation with an update on how the Plan for Academic Enrichment has affected the University's academic departments and our ability to recruit and retain outstanding faculty and students.

OTHER MATTERS CONSIDERED

As is customary, the Corporation discussed a number of issues that they expect to review and take action on in the coming year, including:the recommendations of the Energy and Environmental Advisory Committee (EEAC), Campaign Table of Needs, Medical Education Building, internationalization initiative, and emergency planning.

The Corporation also celebrated the wonderful news about the Campaign for Academic Enrichment. As of Commencement Weekend 2007, the Boldly Brown campaign has officially passed the $1-billion mark on the way toward our goal of $1.4 billion. This milestone is evidence of the hard work and generosity of many people in the Brown family and this success certainly augurs well for the future of the Campaign. Corporation members share my deep appreciation to our donors, staff, and volunteers who have made this possible.

CONCLUSION

I would like to extend my appreciation for Stephen Robert's nine years of service as chancellor. His stewardship during a time of unprecedented growth in the University leaves Brown well positioned to continue its plans for academic enrichment and international growth. I am deeply grateful for his wise counsel, his steady leadership, and everlasting commitment to Brown, which will be his enduring legacy. At the same time, I am certain Tom Tisch will bring exceptional new leadership to the Corporation through his intelligence, commitment to Brown, and extraordinary energy.

Sincerely,

Ruth J. Simmons