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New Mexico State University URC Minutes - April 1, 2005

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Present: Don Birx, Shaun Cooper, Barbara Coppola, James Cowie, Everett Egginton, Wynn Egginton, Sam Fernald, Mike Fisher, James Herndon, Bernard McNamara, Cathy Ortega Klett (Karl Wood), Enrico Pontelli, Rudi Schoenmackers, Pam Schultz, Karl Wood

Absent: Dana Christman, Lisa Dalton, Inigo Garcia-Bryce, Stephen Horan, Nirmala Khandan, Jennifer Kreie, Linda Lacey, Ken Martin, Martha Mitchell, Marc Pruyn, Rhonda Skaggs, Elizabeth Titus

Guests: Michael Martin, Robert Czerniak, LeRoy Daugherty, Chris Fields, Champa Gopalan, Aravamudan Gopalan, Daniel Howard, Larry Olsen, Karin Wiburg

1. Proposed Structure for Flow of IDC

Rudi Schoenmackers welcomed the Council of Research Centers (CORC) to join the URC meeting to discuss the proposal addressed to President Martin and Provost Flores that requests them to consider a change in the IDC flow on campus. Dr. Schoenmackers asked Interim Vice Provost, Dr. Donald Birx, to provide his thoughts on the directions for research and funding. Dr. Birx provided a chart that detailed a proposed structure for flow of IDC. The proposed structure reserves 20% of the total IDC budget for direct investment in strategic endeavors and Research Clusters through the Vice Provost for Research office. The Vice Provost would work with the Deans, CORC and URC to make decisions on the investments. This new budget cycle would begin at the start of the new fiscal year.

2. Discussion of Research Clusters – President Michael Martin

President Michael Martin spoke to CORC and URC about his vision for research on campus and reassured everyone that focusing on clusters did not mean that some researchers will be left behind. President Martin said NMSU will acknowledge and celebrate researchers in their multiple roles. He told the group that NMSU has to push forward to become a leading research university and emphasized that this is a critical time to put in place new strategies that will enhance existing strengths. He also advised that our congressional delegation might not be able to continue to fund programs as they have in the past and that it is vital that research at NMSU move in new directions that will provide a marketable, financially stable future. President Martin mentioned receiving a gift from Stan Fulton of which he has set aside $1.2m for the Graduate School to provide additional graduate assistantships.

3. Executive Committee - Officer Elections

A vote by acclamation placed Karl Wood as Chair-elect. Barbara Coppola and Jennifer Kreie were appointed as Faculty Representatives to the Executive Committee with Bernard McNamara abstaining. Shaun Cooper volunteered for the Position Appointment and was elected.

4. Award Committee

Nirmala Khandan reminded members of the deadline of April 8, 2004 for submission of packets for the URC’s Award for Creative Scholarly Activity.

5. Proposed Limited Submission Policy

Wynn Egginton called attention to the proposed Limited Submission Policy handout and asked members to provide suggestions or comments back to her.

Minutes by Frances Schumacher