These were designed to reinforce and develop DCU's reputation for cross-disciplinary teaching and research and influence the university's research mission; they had a significant effect on the university's research strategy in particular, and found a place in DCU's organisational structure – but the appointment of 'Theme Leaders' proved to be difficult. During his tenure Prondzynski oversaw several important advances for DCU. The university's growth in student population, and performance in attracting research funding, were particularly notable. DCU secured several high-profile research grants (particularly under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions, and under the Science Foundation Ireland programme for Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation). The two largest SFI grants have both gone to projects led by DCU. There was also a continuing drive to develop innovation in teaching and learning. At Prondzynski's proposal, a new post of Vice-President for Learning Innovation was established in 2004, and in 2007 the university adopted a new "Academic Framework for Innovation". DCU tended to be successful in recruiting students, often increasing its share of the total pool of applicants, and this pattern continued under Prondzynski's presidency, even when student applications nationally were decreasing. The university's achievements were recognised internationally when, in 2007, DCU entered the "Times Higher Education" World Rankings at number 300. By 2009 the university had risen in the rankings to 279. Prondzynski was said to be highly accessible to students, including having a presence on social networking sites, sending regular letters and emails to all students, and having an "open door" policy. He presided over a new phase of work by the university's fundraising trust, pioneering an annual telethon, a scheme for regular donors, and the boosting of "access scholarships" for those who could not otherwise afford to go to university. According to one newspaper profile, Prondzynski was liked by colleagues at DCU, even when there were disagreements. However, while corporate matters rather than personal, there was some controversy around three employment law cases at DCU during his tenure. These involved three members of academic staff, two senior, at the university, received much media attention and the university lost all on appeal, including once at the Supreme Court. There was also controversy over new contracts of employment and negotiations on a new disciplinary procedure, which had begun before Prondzynski's term of office but continued throughout his tenure without resolution. As part of this controversy, a “vote of no confidence in the conduct of negotiations by senior management of the university” was narrowly passed by those staff who voted, while several parliamentary questions were raised on this matter by the Green Party.