The small group of students left the gym with chants of "Students before profits"
LAWRENCE -- A small group of student protesters interrupted the inauguration ceremony of Rider University's new president with chants of "Students before profits."
Gregory Dell'Omo took office Aug. 1, but was formally installed as the university's seventh president on Friday.
The students had stood quietly in the back of the gym, holding signs like "Dell'Oh No," "I put Rider first, why can't Rider put my education first?" and "Who's paying for this party?" But just as Dell'Omo was about to start his address, the students walked out while chanting.
In late October, only months into his new post, Dell'Omo announced plans to slash 13 majors and one minor and eliminate more than 20 jobs to help close its $7.6 million deficit.
The move would have forced 123 freshman and sophomore students to transfer or change majors, but the cuts were avoided when, weeks later, the faculty's union agreed to a two-year wage freeze and other concessions.
At Friday's ceremony, Dell'Omo highlighted faculty and student accomplishments and projects that have been or are nearing completion on campus, but also spoke about Rider's strategic planning process that got underway this year.
"Rider University, like many universities today, has challenges that it must face and overcome," he said. "As we've done for 151 years, we will adapt and we will move forward. ... And we are prepared and committed and are ready to move forward to face the future."
The strategic planning process will run through February 2017 and focus on key areas, such as academic excellence and engaged learning; student enrollment; experience and outcomes; institutional reputation and branding; financial resources; facilities and infrastructure; and employee engagement and enrichment.
"It is important that we continue to push the envelope to seek new opportunities, to look for ways of managing our operations and resources and, most importantly, making key strategic investments in our future, all the while ensuring that academic excellence is paramount," Dell'Omo said.
Faculty union president Bryan Spiegelberg was among the speakers that welcomed the president, saying he brings an "impressive resume" to Rider.
"I'm optimistic that your administration's renewed emphasis on engaged learning and your proposed initiatives in the development of learning-living communities will pay off and will enhance the already world-class commitment that Rider has to its budding scholars," Spiegelberg said.
Junior Ryan Hopely, president of the student government at the Lawrence campus, said he looks forward to working with Dell'Omo.
"You are very open to understanding our needs and your commitment to student success will go a long way as we work together to strengthen the Rider experience," he said. "I believe that through your leadership, we will innovate, achieve and tell the world about Rider University."
Dell'Omo succeeds Mordechai Rozanski, who retired July 31 after 12 years as president.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.