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New Mexico State University URC Minutes - September 7, 2001

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Present: Stephen Horan, Jim Strickland, Chuck Kozel, Karl Wood, Ken Hacker, Ida Baca, Nirmala Khandan, Aravamudan Gopalan, Shaun McQuitty, Eve Adams, Rhonda Skaggs, Becky Keele-Smith, Dave Rocks, Elizabeth Titus, Kurt Anderson, Vicente Garcia, William Quintana

Absent: Rudi Schoenmackers, William Gould, Betsy Cahill, Miley Gonzalez, Roy Rodriguez, William Ogden

Guests: None

1,2. Call to Order and Introductions

The first meeting of the fall semester was called to order by Chair, Jim Strickland. He asked URC members to introduce themselves.

3. Approval of Minutes - April 27, 2001

A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as written. All were in favor.

4. Time and Date for Regular Meetings

Meeting date and time were discussed briefly. The consensus seemed to be that Monday through Thursday is preferable to late Friday afternoon. Members will be asked for their preferred meeting time through e-mail. The next meeting, however, is scheduled for September 28 at 3:30 pm.

5. Update Contact List

Members were asked to review their contact information.

6. Research and Creative Activities Fair Update - Strickland

Dr. Strickland sent a memo and registration form to NMSU faculty and professional staff to inform them of the First Annual URC Research and Creative Activities Fair to be held on October 2. URC members were encouraged to contact their departments with the information and distribute registration forms to faculty and professional staff. Deans and Directors are also encouraged to set up college/unit displays. Guest speakers will be Dr. Dan Howard, recipient of the Fort Bliss award, and Dr. Nirmala Khandan, recipient of the Bromilow Award for Research. Registrations are due by September 18.

7. Formation of Committees - Strickland

Sign-up sheets were distributed and members were encouraged to volunteer for one of the following committees. Members will be assigned to committees if necessary.
1. Simplification of the grant process
2. Matching funds for research
3. Space standards
4. Overhead recommendations

8. Space Standards - Titus

Dean Titus announced that a draft of the space standards proposal was presented to the Administrative Council and Academic Deans Council and will be forthcoming at Faculty Senate. Currently proposed space planning standards were written in 1985. With the national trend invoking a higher level of institutional space management accountability, the objective is to establish space standards for NMSU. The purpose of the Space Standards Committee will be to review and provide feedback on standards regarding space for research.

9. Technology Study - Rocks

Mr. Rocks reviewed the report from Dr. Oblinger, noting that it was made available last Spring. The ICT Advisory Committee will provide input to the Provost and President on two tasks: 1) to define the role of the Vice Provost for Information and Technological Services and 2) to determine how information technology fits this institutions strategic plan. The Faculty Senate has established a Technology Committee to focus attention on to how to address issues in the 21st century. Faculty Senate representative William Quintana will report on the activities of this committee and ask if they want URC to be involved with the research issues.

10. University Library Information - Titus

Dean Titus provided handouts and noted that publication style writing guides which researchers use are available on the web. The library would like feedback on any services provided to faculty involved in research.

11. Strategic Plan for Information Technology Theme Area - Horan

Dr. Horan announced that Dr. Hills has initiated the process to develop the strategic plan for the Information Technology theme. A group is currently meeting weekly to define planning conference objectives. Tentative plans are to hold a 3-day future search conference in early Spring.

12. Vice Provost for Research

An announcement was made to the NMSU community that the Interim Vice Provost for Research is I. Miley Gonzalez.

13. Overhead Allotments - Horan

a. Last January Drs. Horan and Gould compiled a chart of overhead distribution policies for NMSU departments which shows the percentage received from central office and how it is distributed by the colleges to their departments and PIs. NMSU is average for most peer universities. Dr. Strickland stated that our current policy does not provide support to the infrastructure or the library through indirect costs. The Overhead Recommendations Committee will address these issues.

b. The need for overhead funds to support library collections was raised by Dean Titus. $450,000 was committed by NMSU to help with the library budget shortfall for FY 02.

14. Future Guests - Strickland

a. Jeff Miller will be asked to discuss Space Standards on September 28 if he is available.
b. Technology Funding - Ben Woods
c. Views on Research - Provost William Flores

15. Other

Mr. Garcia discussed the creation of a Civil Cyber Force Concept similar to the Civil Air Patrol. Express your interest to him if you would like to be involved.

The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Minutes by Betty Lindsey