During the latter third of the 1990s Polytechnic University's Department of Management expanded to Lower Manhattan, and this action resulted in significant growth and intellectual and programmatic development for the University and the Department.

The expansion to Lower Manhattan started in 1997 when the Department of Management established its Institute for Technology and Enterprise [ITE] at 55 Broad Street, in the heart of high-tech New York City, known as "Silicon Alley." ITE was founded to function as the R&D engine for the Department, and aims at building managerial knowledge and developing advanced learning programs in the broadly defined technology management sphere. Once at 55 Broad, ITE quickly attracted corporate sponsors. ITE now serves a unique and highly diverse community, composed of faculty, industry leaders, and other participating executives. At 55 Broad Street, ITE holds Round Tables and Workshops. ITE Round Tables have covered such subjects as Wireless Innovation, Media Management, e-Commerce and New Business Models, Managerial Challenges in the Biotechnology Industry in Israel, Innovation in Post-Dot-Bomb, Post-9/11 World, and New Dimensions in Global Innovation. ITE's research and curriculum development materials have dealt with such topics as on electronic commerce; the transformation of the print media industry; innovation in financial services; and the emerging homeland security sector's impact on US innovation. (for further information on ITE, please visit www.ite.poly.edu)

With ITE established as a base, in September 1998, the Department of Management at Polytechnic moved its flagship Executive Master's Programs, Management of Technology [MOT] and Telecommunications and Information Management [TIM] to 55 Broad Street as well. These programs, meeting on alternate Thursday evenings and on Saturdays grew quickly, with Participants representing a wide range firms and industries in New York City and the Tri-States Region. During the next four years, MOT and TIM also experienced significant innovation. Among other things, three Tracks were introduced, e-Business, MOTIFS (Management of Technology and Innovation in Financial Services) and MOTIR (Management of Technology and Innovation in Retailing), electives were offered for the first time, and a Distinguished Speakers Series was launched. (for further information on MOT and TIM, please visit www.mot-tim.poly.edu)

In 1998, the Department of Management also moved its University's Financial Engineering [FE] Program to 55 Broad Street. Being in the heart of New York City's Financial District, the FE Program also experienced significant growth. There was also a significant amount of innovation and curriculum development in the FE Program after it moved to 55 Broad Street. Among other things, during the 1998-2002 period FE introduced three new Tracks, in Capital Markets, in Financial Technology and in Computational Finance. In addition, perhaps unique in the field, the FE Program offers a laptop-friendly and Web-based simulated trading room learning experience so that FE students, whether in class or at home or office, can take part in real-life assignments in the most advanced and educationally powerful manner available. (for further information on FE, please visit www.fe.poly.edu)

With the coming rebirth of Downtown Manhattan, the University-especially the Department of Management's activities at 55 Broad involving ITE, the MOT and TIM Executive Master's Programs and the FE Program-are well positioned for and committed to contributing significantly to the area's revitalization.