As part of the campus-wide effort to reduce spending, the Department of Athletics & Physical Education has spent the past several months assessing the programs it offers. This process has looked closely at the college's competitive sports in terms of cost, the strength of the recruitment and retention of student-athletes, and the alternatives that may exist for athletes who wish to compete in a particular sport.
The result of this work is that, beginning next academic year, 2010-11, Vassar's rowing program will change from a varsity to a club sport. Under consideration is a new partnership with the Hudson River Rowing Association (HRRA), which would provide competitive opportunities on the collegiate level for our students as well as for other students in the area. As part of this plan, Vassar's head rowing coach, Rod Mott, would coach the collegiate rowers at HRRA during the 2010-11 year, as well as serve as a liaison between the association and the college for the transition. After that initial year, HRRA would assume the responsibility for providing coaching for the program.
HRRA is an award winning rowing association, developed by coaches, that serves the Mid-Hudson Valley and owns and operates the HRRA Boathouse in Poughkeepsie. HRRA's boathouse is currently home for eight regional scholastic and adult rowing operations. HRRA's competitive teams train for and participate in nationally recognized regattas and other events to expose its members to elite level rowing. The organization has been a very enthusiastic partner in developing what could be a strong collegiate program and has committed to three fall and three spring regattas in 2010-11, providing opportunities for Vassar rowers who are interested in a challenging competitive opportunity to participate.
"In all the efforts that the college is making to control spending from the endowment, we are making choices that accomplish two goals: permanent--not "belt-tightening"--changes to our spending and changes that preserve the quality of the educational experience," said Rachel Kitzinger, Dean of Planning and Academic Affairs. "In the case of the changes to the rowing team, I am confident that we will achieve both of these goals. We will work with the team, as well as helpful input from alumnae/i, to structure the alternative to a varsity team in a way that gives students a serious and competitive experience."
"We are saddened for the rowing student-athletes," said Sharon Beverly, Director of Athletics & Physical Education. "These are difficult times and required examination of the best long term changes for the athletics & physical education department as a whole. As we move forward, I will be working closely with the rowing team to develop an experience that works best for them within the new structure."
