Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
Message from the Senior Vice President and Treasurer
The division of Finance and Administration is organized and operated to provide premier service to the university in the stewardship of its human, physical, financial, technological and informational resources. The staff members of Finance and Administration are among the most talented and dedicated professionals in higher education. Learn more about Finance and Administration >
University Town Hall Recording
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Biography
Dr. James Watters is Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration and Treasurer. He oversees the activity of over 880 full-time employees and 1,500 student workers. He is responsible for administering the university’s annual $1.1 billion operating budget and $337 million capital budget; $1.6 billion endowment and working capital portfolios; and $400 million public debt portfolio. Dr. Watters is responsible for the departments within the Division of Finance and Administration.
He is vice chair of RIT’s Global Delivery Corporation which overseas RIT’s international campuses located in Zagreb and Dubrovnik, Croatia; Pristina, Kosovo; Dubai; and China. He holds the position of chairman of the RIT Croatia Board of Trustees and trustee for RIT Dubai’s Board of Trustees.
Dr. Watters serves on several non-profit and for-profit boards, including the New York Kitchen, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Broadstone Net Lease Board of Directors, and Canandaigua National Bank Board of Directors.
Dr. Watters came to RIT from the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent his academic and previous professional years and earned a BS, MS, and Ph.D.
Campus Aesthetics Committee
The architecture of RIT is characterized by a high degree of recognized design excellence, and was purposefully designed in a consistent vocabulary of architectural form.
It is imperative that any proposal to change or add to the campus environment be subject to close analysis and regulation.
It is the role of the Campus Aesthetics Committee to fulfill this responsibility in an advisory role to the Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration.
In the News
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June 10, 2024
![A rendering of the new research building that is under construction on the southwest side of campus near Global Village.]()
Construction nearly complete for new research building
The new RIT research building is in its final construction phase with exterior work nearly complete and interior design set to begin. Structural work that started in early 2022 is expected to be complete by fall 2024 with move-in of several campus research teams by the new year.
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June 3, 2024
![Construction workers are shown working on the face of a five story residence hall.]()
Summer construction projects underway
Summer construction projects are full speed ahead at RIT, including numerous improvements to greet students in August, such as new roofing, air conditioning, and refreshes in residence halls.
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May 28, 2024
![James Moore is shown standing in front of MAGIC Spell Studios.]()
John Moore built legacy of construction excellence and community at RIT
John Moore has spent the last quarter century-plus overseeing the construction of world-class buildings and creating workplace environments that empower people. Come the end of June, he wants to build in more quality time with family and friends.
Signatory Authority
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