University aims to hire 150 new faculty by 2015-16
By Inside BU staff
Binghamton University hopes to add 150 new faculty members by 2015-16, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jean-Pierre "Peter" Mileur told the University Council at its Sept. 16 meeting.
"One-hundred fifty positions are enough to fundamentally upgrade the academic and research profile of the campus," Mileur said. "We are aiming to take the University to a different level over the next five years."
The faculty-hiring plan comes as the University uses the recently approved rational tuition legislation to embark on a student-enrollment initiative that would see the student population increase to 17,000 by 2015-16.
Mileur emphasized that faculty would be hired at a faster rate than students are added. The 2011-12 goal is to hire 36 tenured/tenure-track faculty members.
"If we are successful in this initiative, the faculty-student ratio will actually fall," he said.
Mileur added that special efforts, such as expanding and enhancing the applicant pool, will be needed to prevent growth from hurting student quality.
"The potential upside to the campus is tremendous," he said of the enrollment and faculty-hiring plans.
Mileur's comments came as the University's vice presidents and Director of Athletics Jim Norris provided the council with divisional goals and objectives for 2011-12.
Other highlights included:
• The Bold. Brilliant. Binghamton. fundraising campaign has reached 98 percent of its $95 million public goal, Vice President for External Affairs Marcia Craner told the council, and expressed confidence that the goal would be met by June 30, 2012.
• The divisions of Student Affairs and External Affairs are working to improve parent programs and parent development efforts through projects such as a newsletter and parent/student receptions.
• The East Gym is scheduled to re-open in spring 2012, Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose said. A marketing plan will be developed to attract students, faculty and staff to the facility's fitness programs and revenue-generating services.
• The Division of Research is working to position itself as the premier regional innovation hub within SUNY and is helping faculty become more engaged with state and federal research sponsors.
• The Division of Administration will continue to carry out campus Critical Maintenance and Strategic Initiative Capital Plans, such as the third phase of the East Campus Housing, the athletic venue project and the library plaza.
