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New Mexico State University URC Minutes - April 5, 2002

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Present: Jim Strickland, Stephen Horan, Nirmala Khandan, Dave Rocks, Ken Hacker, Rudi Schoenmackers, Shaun McQuitty, Eve Adams, Betsy Cahill, Becky Keele-Smith, Margaret Jacobs, William Quintana, Elizabeth Titus, Chuck Kozel, William Ogden, William Gould, I. Miley Gonzalez, Rhonda Skaggs, Kathy Ortega Klett (K. Wood), Kurt Anderson

Absent: Brian Ormand, Ida Baca, Roy Rodriguez, Vicente Garcia

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair, Dr. Jim Strickland.

2. Guests

Mr. Ben Woods, Vice President for Facilities and Services, and Dr. Milt Thomas, Animal and Range Sciences Professor, gave a presentation on the Chihuahuan Desert Rangelands Research Center (CDRRC/College Ranch). In 1927, Congress granted 64,000 acres of public lands to NMSU for research purposes. The College of Agriculture and Home Economics Department of Animal and Range Science has been responsible for the care, feeding, and operation of the ranch. In the last 20-30 years, uncontrolled use of the property has impacted the operation of the facility. The property, which has global usage for research, is under the management of Dr. Thomas. A steering committee with members from the College of Agriculture and Home Economics and the College of Arts and Sciences has been formed and a management document to help direct activities is in place. Vandalism, especially with firearms, is a serious problem.

3. Approval of Minutes – March 1, 2002

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes as presented. All were in favor.

4. Faculty Senate Report - William Quintana

Dr. Quintana reported that he will be serving on the Faculty Senate Long Range Planning Committee.

5. URC Research and Creative Activities Fair Report – Dr. Strickland

Committee meetings have been held with Dr. Schoenmackers and the Alliance for Minority Participation (AMP) Program to coordinate a joint Fair to held September 13-14, 2002. This state-wide event will include students from all NM colleges and universities. URC awardees will be speakers at the event. Information about the Fair will be forthcoming.

6. URC Awards Committee - Dr. Horan

Dr. Strickland sent a memo through Dr. Gonzalez to Provost Flores to request that the URC Award for Exceptional Achievements in Creative Scholarly Activity be presented during the Spring Convocation. A charge was made that URC establish a committee to work on the entire awards process, including announcing the awards, choosing the awardees, and establishing a date for the presentation. Drs. Jacobs and Kozel agreed to work with Dr. Khandan to provide a description of the committee assignment by the end of the semester.

7. Report on upcoming meeting with provost to discuss subcommittee reports - Strickland

Dr. Strickland and Dr. Horan will meet with Provost Flores on April 23 to discuss the sub-committee reports and get feedback on implementation.

8. Other Business and Announcements

a. Election of Officers Nominations were as follows: Chair - Stephen Horan; Chair elect - Becky Keele-Smith; Faculty Representative - Chuck Kozel; Position Appointment - Dean Elizabeth Titus. It was moved and seconded that the slate of officers be elected to the respective positions. All were in favor.

b. Shawn McQuitty announced a tentative interview schedule for Vice Provost for Research candidates on April 22, 23, 25 and 30. He encouraged attendance at the various functions.

c. Campus interviews for the Chief Information Officer for Information and Technological Services will be held May 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8.

d. The Graduate Dean search is underway.

e. There will be no URC meeting in May.

9. The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.

Minutes by Betty Lindsey