Rochester Institute of Technology Unveils Fall Term Initiatives Today, September 1, 2025 | News Glare

Rochester, N.Y., September 1, 2025 - As the new academic year officially begins, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) today announced a series of measures designed to support faculty, staff, and students as part of its Fall 2025 launch.

In a campus-wide memo, President William H. Sanders affirmed RIT’s commitment to its people by accelerating merit-based salary adjustments. After careful enrollment review, RIT employees will receive their Fy 26 salary increases effective today, a modest but meaningful recognition of staff and faculty contributions amid ongoing economic headwinds.

Sanders also welcomed over 3,000 first-year undergraduates from 48 states and more than 500 graduate students, underscoring RIT’s continued appeal. In his remarks, he highlighted:

Strategic investments in artificial intelligence, including hiring 36 cluster faculty this past year to strengthen RIT’s human-centered AI research and teaching.
A record $105 million in new sponsored research awards-$21 million of which came from the National Science Foundation-and $800 million in proposal submissions, positioning RIT among the nation’s top research institutions.
Fundraising success, with Advancement securing $46.8 million in new gift commitments during the last fiscal cycle, nearly matching RIT’s strongest years on record.

To address rising operational costs exceeding $15 million-including increases in energy, software, and healthcare-RIT is tightening discretionary spending, postponing nonessential events, and restricting hiring to critical roles only. These efforts are projected to reduce compensation expenditures by approximately 2 percent through strategic vacancy management.

Looking ahead, Sanders outlined RIT’s forthcoming Strategic Framework, set for Board approval in spring 2026. The plan will articulate updated vision, mission, values, and strategic goals, drawing on input from the entire RIT community during the upcoming months.

Key Takeaways

Salary Increases: Merit adjustments effective September 1, 2025.
Enrollment: More than 3,500 new students welcomed across undergraduate and graduate programs.
Research & Fundraising: Record research funding ($105 M) and strong philanthropy ($46.8 M) last year.
Cost Management: $15 M in cost pressures addressed via spending cuts and targeted hiring freeze.
Strategic Planning: Community-driven framework to guide RIT’s next decade, culminating in spring 2026 Board approval.

RIT’s proactive approach aims to balance fiscal responsibility with institutional growth and community well-being as it embarks on its Fall 2025 term.