Tuesday, March 10, 2015

U of R

The new knowledge economy has turned universities into engines of economic development.  The Rochester region is fortunately blessed with many such institutions of higher learning.  But the question must be asked: is the region's flagship university, the University of Rochester, up to the challenge? The U of R is not a brand name, made even worse by the fact that it is named after a city with a disrespected brand (hence the need for this blog.)  Some data will hopefully help answer the question.

  • With about 22,500 employees, the U of R is the largest employer in the Rochester metro area and one of the ten largest private employers in the entire state of New York
  • Despite weak brand recognition, U.S. News & World Report has the U of R ranked side-by-side brand names such as the University of Michigan, Boston College, NYU, and William & Mary
  • On a list of the 50 top NIH-funded universities and medical schools for the 2014 federal fiscal year, the U of R found itself at #34
  • The U of R's Simon School of Business has alumni from 83 different countries and was ranked #55 globally in the 2014 MBA ranking provided by the Financial Times
  • Accounting for year-to-year variation, the U of R's School of Medicine and Dentistry is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the 40 best medical schools in the nation
  • I know music doesn't always pay, but at least one source ranks the U of R's Eastman School of Music as the best music school in the nation (yes, ahead of The Juilliard School in New York City) 

8 comments:

  1. You're right, the entire area could use a "Branding" Consultant! I think you may be the guy! The area has an immense amount to offer and it's time everyone starts to recognize!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the city is actually trying to start branding itself better. I've seen a couple quick notes about a video they're putting together about downtown living, they need to do more things like that to get the word out. People who live and work in the suburbs seem to have a very different opinion from reality on what actually goes on in our city.

    I've also seen it mentioned a few places that the reason Buffalo is seen as a city going through a "renaissance" because they are marketing themselves as such. Rochester could take some notes from our neighbors to the west on this one, they seem to be doing a better job advertising themselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I think branding is key. Sometimes just changing perception can help change reality. And on a grassroots level, we can all be part of the process. As a suburbanite, I agree that many people need a refresher about the city - we've been here almost 5 years and even in that short time span it has changed a lot! Most of our favorite places didn't even exist when we moved here.

      Delete
    2. Sometimes one is surprised by what is right in your backyard like U of R or in our case right across the street as neighbors of the Rochester Phenomenon Blogger. Thank you Amol for challenging us with your questions and reflections so that we may look before we leap into that status quo way of thinking about Rochester as a city.

      Delete
  3. What are the favorite places you are referring to?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some examples include Trata (and entire Culver Rd. Armory), The Revelry, Saha Med Grill, Joe Beans Coffee, Pour Coffee, Fuego Coffee, Tap and Table, The Red Fern, Genesee Brew House, Lost Borough Brewing, Roc Brewing, and Swiftwater Brewing.

      Delete
  4. U of R has the 6th highest rated Optics program in the country.

    ReplyDelete