JMU partners with SRI to create ‘innovative solutions’
By Mary Frances Czarsty and Evan Dyson, assistant news editor and senior writer
Posted on January 16, 2007

A new partnership was announced between JMU and SRI International, a non-profit research organization responsible for numerous technological innovations, at Friday’s Board of Visitors meeting in the Festival conference center.

According to President Linwood Rose, Len Polizzotto, vice president of Business Development and Marketing for SRI International, spoke to the administration 20 months ago at JMU about the research interests of SRI and began to develop what he referred to as a “serendipitous” relationship.

“JMU is the best university we have ever seen in terms of teamwork, collaboration and cross-disciplinary approach,” Polizzotto said. “That’s what is so special, so you have a unique place here and we are grateful and honored to be your partner.”

During the course of his 35-minute presentation, Polizzotto explained the history and implications of SRI operating in the Shenandoah Valley.

According to Polizzotto, clients pose objectives to SRI and leave it to their teams of researchers and developers to create innovative solutions.

“People pay us to invent. It’s just that simple,” Polizzotto said.

According to Polizzotto, the creation of early cell phone technology, the computer mouse, check-routing numbers, the 911 emergency system, anti-malaria drugs and other significant developments in a broad range of fields are all derived from SRI.

“Probably no day goes by without you touching something from SRI,” he said.
Current projects being developed by SRI include advancements in robotics, medical diagnostic equipment and new educational tools.

Junior Stacy Fuller, student representative to the Board of Visitors, thanked Polizzotto on behalf of the student body for the additional research opportunities, which will soon be available to the university. She also asked if SRI would be accepting interns, to which Polizzotto responded, “Yes,” adding, “We also like to sponsor projects with students.”

Additional issues addressed during the board meeting included announcements of increased summer tuition and the approval of a new engineering program.

Tuition rates for the summer 2007 semester are to increase $43 per credit hour for in-state students and $68 for nonresidents in the undergraduate category. Graduate students will face an $18 and a $41 increase, respectively.

Rose also reported approval “without question” by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia last week to begin a new program, enabling future students to earn a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

Douglas Brown, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the new engineering program will be unlike any other in the commonwealth.

“We created this program with a technical, business and social responsibility in mind,” Brown said. “We are compelled to produce engineers who will make a difference.”