Speaking to an audience of more than 700 in Statler Auditorium, President David Skorton focused his 2012 State of the University Address on the initiatives outlined in the strategic plan developed three years ago.

"I want to reflect on the progress we are making and on the work we all still have to do," he said at the 62nd annual meeting of the Cornell University Council and the Cornell University Board of Trustees Oct. 26.

On the first priority of faculty renewal, the university has already made progress, Skorton said, citing the 71 new tenure-track appointments made in 2011-12, more than double the number of appointments made in the previous year. Another 54 new appointments have been made since July 1, he said.

Skorton noted that the planned construction of Klarman Hall, projected for completion in 2015, will help Cornell lead in fields of critical importance in the humanities. And, because the construction will be funded entirely through philanthropy and built to LEED Platinum standards, it also supports the priority to implement strategically focused, cost-effective enhancements to Cornell's infrastructure.

Strategic plan initiatives

The seven initiatives of the strategic plan are:

• renewing the faculty in the context of academic priorities and substantial retirements,

• boosting departments or fields of critical importance into positions of world prominence,

• creating a culture in support of teaching,

• developing stronger connections across colleges,

• implementing cost-effective enhancements to the infrastructure,

• making progress toward a more diverse faculty, student body and staff, and

• connecting outreach and public engagement with research, scholarship and education.

One example of developing stronger connections across colleges is the newly formed universitywide economics department, Skorton said, thanking trustee Don Opatrny for his leadership in that initiative. Other examples include a mentoring partnership between the College of Engineering and Weill Cornell Medical College, and the fusion of "academic excellence with commercial success, with an emphasis on societal good" that will be fostered through the new Cornell NYC Tech campus, Skorton said.

He noted that although Cornell has one of the most economically diverse undergraduate student populations nationwide, more work needs to be done to promote diversity in Cornell's students, faculty and staff, especially in recruiting and retaining women and underrepresented minorities. For example, women accounted for only 27.6 percent of the faculty last year, and underrepresented minorities made up only 5.7 percent, Skorton said.

Skorton described recent incidents of bias and sexual violence, noting the ways in which the university is working to get word out about safety services and other available resources, improving lighting and continuing conversations with individuals "so that we can move closer to being the diverse, welcoming and caring community we aspire to be." He also cited the Oct. 24 "Illuminate the Night" event on Ho Plaza, sponsored by student groups and other campus organizations, as an opportunity for students to promote "mutual responsibility and mutual respect, safety and well-being and to change this campus culture for the better."

He said the "Toward New Destinations" diversity program, in its first year of implementation, has already resulted a list of 158 specific diversity initiatives to which the deans and vice presidents have committed. A new course -- which Skorton himself has taken -- Respect@Cornell, helps faculty and staff to learn how to deal with incidents or reports of sexual violence, harassment, discrimination and other climate issues under Title IX, he said.

"We still have work to do," Skorton said, "but I am proud of the seriousness and the sensitivity with which so many of us on campus are attempting to address the real challenges that we face."

He also noted that the university is responding directly to the concerns raised through the Employee Survey conducted last fall. His news that the university's operating budget is projected to be balanced by the end of this fiscal year -- a full year ahead of schedule -- was met with applause.

"We remain committed to need-blind admissions at this university; we remain committed to need-based financial aid at this university," Skorton said. However, to ensure that "this commitment to access is durable and enduring," beginning in fall 2013, families with annual incomes between $60,000 and $120,000 will get aid packages that include a "bit larger loan than they had before" and students will be asked to earn more through their work on campus, he said.

Skorton closed by noting that last year was the best fundraising year in Cornell history, with $778 million raised. He looked ahead to the celebration of Cornell's sesquicentennial in 2015, announcing that President Emeritus Frank H.T. Rhodes has agreed to be part of the Charter Day celebration.

Quoting Adlai Stevenson, who said, "We dare not just look back to great yesterdays. We must look forward to great tomorrows," Skorton challenged the audience to look toward that future: "Through your commitment of time and energy and love to this university -- on the Hill, in New York City and anywhere throughout the world -- let's do this together."