Item 2: Overview of University Research Efforts: College of Agriculture and Home Economics

Presenters: Tom Dormody and Tracy Sterling, College of Agriculture and Home Economics. Dr. Dormody first explained the history of land-grant colleges and how the Agricultural Experiment Station system was established. Dr. Dormody stated the mission of the College of Agriculture is divided into three components (unique to the land-grant system): 1) teaching; 2) research; and 3) extension unique to the land-grant system. Dr. Dormody distributed booklets to the Council which illustrated various funding sources for the College and the impact the College has on the State of New Mexico.

Dr. Sterling informed the Council that the Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) is the research arm of the College. The many ways in which the AES serves the community were discussed.

The College of Agriculture welcomes opportunities for interdisciplinary research throughout the campus community. It is also home to the University Statistics Center which promotes an alliance in research at NMSU through consulting and other statistical services for university research staff.

Mike Coombs of PSL, spoke to the Council regarding the current limited federal funds available for research and, consequently, investigators having to look far and wide for funding. Dr. Coombs asked the Council for suggestions for ways to prevent Principal Investigators "tripping over each other" and working at cross purposes as funds are being sought. Opinions were expressed that the internal proposal plan process does not totally resolve the problem and that communication issues persist.

It was moved, seconded, and approved that the URC establish a working group to explore guidelines for improving communication and preventing unproductive duplicative efforts in the research funding process.

Members that volunteered for the working group are: Eric Johnson, Mike Coombs, Tracy Sterling, Richard Cabe and a representative from Grants and Contracts (TBA). The Chair requested the committee present guidelines for discussion at the next meeting.

a. Sounding Board for Financial Policies

No report at this time.

b. Principal Investigator's Manual

The Task Force has been working on proposed contents for the manual. It will have the Table of Contents ready for review by the next meeting.

c. Visiting Scholars

Jeffrey Brandon and committee met with University Communications regarding announcements for the Visiting Scholars Program. They discussed placing announcements on Page One and on the Internet. The Council agreed that if announcements were already being published in Page One, there was no reason to duplicate efforts. It was agreed that the committee should keep in contact with University Communications about placing announcements such as the Visiting Scholars on the World Wide Web (WWW), and rely less on paper distribution.

d. Conflict of Interest

The committee had not met. They are scheduled to meet and will have a report for the next meeting.

Item 5: Announcements

Dr. Tombes announced that the new AP&P was out. He suggested that the Council look over the research chapter to see if changes are needed.

Dr. Tombes extended an invitation to Council members for brunch at his home on October 29, 1995. Dr. Tombes's office will be sending out invitations to members within the next few weeks.

Submitted by: Laura Maynez

Dept. of Social Work