Welcome to a New Academic Year

September 2, 2004

Dear Rutgers Faculty and Staff:

Welcome to a new academic year at Rutgers. I hope your summer was rewarding and refreshing.

Many good things have happened since commencement, including:

• the successful debut of the New Faculty Traveling Seminar
• conclusion of our $615 million fundraising campaign
• a modest increase in state funding for Rutgers
• negotiated pay increases for faculty and staff
• appointments of VP of Student Affairs Greg Blimling and Senior Vice President and CFO Jeff Apfel
• implementation of the President's Recognition Program to reward staff excellence
• physical improvements on all campuses
• continued progress on the student services initiative

As we begin the 2004-05 academic year, I wish you success in your work. I know that you will join in welcoming all our new students, faculty, and staff to Rutgers.

I also invite you to attend my Annual Address to the University Community, which will take place on Friday, September 10, at the University Senate meeting. The speech will start at 1:10 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Rutgers Student Center on College Avenue. Come hear about the university's plans for the coming year and ask questions on any Rutgers topic.

Best wishes for a great semester.

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey