Expanding Research Horizons

Concepts for a Campus Strategic Plan for Research

Developed by the

Campus Faculty Research Council

September, 2003

Research Council Members:

            Drs. Sue Byerley, Library; Robert Camley, PES;  Zbigniew Celinski, PES; Thomas Huber, GES; Jenenne Nelson, Beth El; Karen Newell, Biology; Dorothea Olkowski, Philosophy; Tom Pyszczynski, Psychology; Ken Saunders, MAE; Rodger Ziemer, ECE.

Goal:

The campus must maintain, and if possible accelerate its recently realized momentum in pursuing and obtaining externally sponsored programs.

Background:

• Research is fundamental to a university. It involves the creation of knowledge.

• Research and teaching are inexorably intertwined. Plus, having students directly involved in research enhances the student’s educational experience (e.g., it makes them better problem solvers)

• Sponsored research helps fund graduate and undergraduate education, funds laboratory expansion, and helps cover many real costs of campus operation.

Principles:

• The pursuit of sponsored programs will be consistent with the educational role and mission of the campus – pursuit of funding merely for the sake of money is not the goal.

• All research contributions, whether funded or not, are valued.

Components of the Plan:

1. Strengthen the research culture of the faculty and the deans

1. P&T process and criteria

                                                               i.      Expand the discussion beyond sponsored research

                                                             ii.      Encourage far-reaching dialog on research activities valued through the P&T process

                                                            iii.      Promote P&T criteria that do not undervalue the pursuit of appropriate research funding.

                                                           iv.      Initiate through revised P&T policy discussions currently underway

2. New policies

                                                               i.      PI incentives – salary augmentation funded via grants

                                                             ii.      F&A waivers – codify appropriate practices uniformly followed

                                                            iii.      Course buy out (encourage college discussions)

                                                           iv.      Funding of small campus research awards from ICR

                                                             v.      P&T criteria (as in 1.a above)

                                                           vi.      Enable hiring new tenure-track faculty on soft moneys

                                                          vii.      Revise dean’s merit evaluations such that they include research promotion in their college. Deans meet individually with Research Council at least each semester.

3. Mechanisms to recognize non-funded research

                                                               i.      Expand campus CRCW research awards

                                                             ii.      Support small summer research stipends – perhaps funded by ICR

                                                            iii.      Faculty participation in the new Austin Bluffs Center for R&D - open to all

2. Leverage critical capabilities

1. Increase research capacity of grant-active faculty

                                                               i.      Enable grant-funded hiring of instructors

                                                             ii.      Develop appropriate system of differentiated workload allowing greater emphasis of research or instruction.

                                                            iii.      Identify and acquire additional research space

2. Hire more senior grant-experienced faculty

3. Continue mentoring program for faculty – especially new faculty

4. Expand capabilities of campus research offices – additional faculty associates for research, and staff. Hire full-time exempt staff member in OSP for compliance and contracts

5. Expand and strengthen graduate programs, especially in areas of high grant potential.

6. Mentor and off-load new faculty to allow establishment of their research programs.

3. Provide high-profile leadership

a.       Involve Chancellor’s office appropriately

1.      Make case for broad-based (ie, funded and non-funded) research initiative

2.      Promote approval of comprehensive new policies and organizational structure

                              In particular, explore combining pre-and post-award functions into OSP.

3.      Help explain integrated research plan.

b.      Establish Campus Research Officer position – Assoc. Vice Chancellor for         Research

c.       Enable Campus Research Officer’s participation in Executive Team.

4. Position campus for opportunities

1. Identify and pursue funding targets of opportunity - Review federal funding agency initiatives

2. Define campus research strengths - Assessment

3. Match strengths to opportunities

4. Develop and articulate integrated research plan - “connecting the dots”

5. Provide sustainability

1. Create mentoring system for research leadership

2. Integrate with faculty associates affiliated with research office (as cited in 2.d above)

3. Get the right people involved, and in responsible positions.

6. Pursue fundraising activities committed to rewarding and enhancing research capacity

1. Seek and acquire research space

2. Reward grant active faculty (e.g., endowed chairs)

3. Help fund graduate students

                                                               i.      Out-of-state tuition for grad students supported on research grants

                                                             ii.      Research fellowships for grad students working with grant-active faculty

4. Provide funding to allow hiring of more senior grant-active faculty

5. Provide funding to off load new faculty to establish their research programs

6. Seek research equipment donations

7. Sponsor research seminar series (campus wide and disciplinary specific)

8. Provide funding for faculty graduate teaching fellowships (funding to allow offering of low enrollment but critical graduate-level courses)