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New Mexico State University URC Minutes - April 11, 2003

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Present: Eve Adams, Daniel Dwyer, William Gould, Michael Hites (Dave Rocks), Stephen Horan, Becky Keele-Smith, Nirmala Khandan, Chuck Kozel, William Quintana, Rudi Schoenmackers, Edmund Scribner, Rhonda Skaggs, Elizabeth Titus, Mary Wolf, Karl Wood

Absent: Kurt Anderson, Everett Egginton, Kenneth Hacker, Linda Lacey, William Ogden, Marc Pruyn, Rasler Smith, James Strickland

Guests: Rich Hills

1. Minutes - Minutes of March 7, 2003 were approved as presented.

2. Status of Membership for 2004

Dr. Horan reviewed the names of members whose terms expire on June 30.

3. Virtual Departments/Centers – Dr. Rich Hills

Dr. Hills discussed efforts to design a policy for centers that would improve collaboration on campus. At the Information Sciences retreat the idea of Virtual Departments was derived. A rough draft using UNM’s format of Category I, II, and III Centers has been reviewed by Provost Flores and Dr. Dwyer. Category I Centers would be self-contained within a College; Category II Centers would report to a College, but work across College lines; and Category III Centers would report to the Vice Provost for Research. The Provost requested more language to define the creation and sunset of Centers and asked that URC help determine to what level rigor should be applied. After discussion, it was suggested that whomever allocates resources should set guidelines for use of space and resources for the Centers. Overlap issues, where the same focus involves different colleges, could be modeled after general education curriculum review procedures. The creation of Centers should have a review process to ensure that there is no duplication of effort. Centers should provide structure to obtain additional funding. The biggest barrier appears to be lack of communication among Colleges. The committee for Virtual Centers consists of Drs. Steve Horan, Rich Hills, Rich Phillips, and Gary Kyle.

4. Election of Officers

The nominating committee recommended the following slate of officers:
Rudi Schoenmackers – Chair-elect
Chuck Kozel – Faculty representative
Elizabeth Titus – Position appointment
It was moved, seconded, and all were in favor of accepting the slate as presented.

5. Announcements:

E-prints from the Library – Dean Titus stated that Engineering reported that e-prints works well and is easy to use. Check with the library for the URL. This is good for non-copyrighted material.

Awards – The committee has made its recommendation for the URC Award for Exceptional Achievements in Research and Creative Activities. Winners will be invited to present at the URC Research Fair this fall.

ITAR Training - Neta Fernandez, Steve Horan, and Pam Wood will give the presentation April 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the Jerry Shaw Conference Room.

Dr. Horan passed the torch to Becky Keele-Smith for next year.

Dr. Schoenmackers commended Dr. Horan for receiving the El Paso Energy Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching and for the excellent job as Chair of URC.

The meeting adjourned for the year at 4:45 p.m. and will convene again in August.

Minutes by Betty Lindsey