This new year offers the opportunity to re-engage as a community around the many recent developments at the university, including the tenure of new President Bob Barchi, the integration of most of the units of UMDNJ into Rutgers, the approval of a $750 million higher education bond issue that will fund new building projects and renovations across New Jersey's higher education system, and the announcement of Rutgers' move to the Big Ten.

Exciting developments are also underway within our community, and starting this month, I plan to send regular messages to keep you all updated and engaged on developments at the school and experiment station.

First, I would like to point to the robust effort to engage in new ways with our administrative staff. I wish to thank the 75 or so staff members who attended the December 13 staff assembly at the Food Science lecture room. I was delighted to share a recap of the fall semester and to participate in a discussion of current issues, opportunities, and initiatives. We will continue to hold these periodic staff assemblies, and I invite all to attend.