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Governance Minutes Archive

February 24, 1988

                                    Minutes

                            COMMISSION ON RESEARCH

                               February 24, 1988

                            President's Board Room

                                   3:30 p.m.

 

 

  MEMBERS PRESENT:  L.  J.  Arnold,  F. M. Asche, J. Cairns, Jr., J. Randolph

                    (for P. K. Edwards), L. S. Axelson (for V. R. Fu), W.  L.

                    Flowers  (for M. R. Geasler), D. B. Hodge, J. C. Lee (for

                    W. G. Huber), D.G.I. Kingston, D.  F.  McTaggart,  G.  G.

                    Schurig,  A.  W. Steiss, F. W. Stephenson, R. A. Teekell,

                    J. F. Wolfe

 

  MEMBERS ABSENT:   R. A. Comparin, P. P. Feret, M. D. Pierson, M. Potts

 

  INVITED GUESTS:   M. D. Shelton, C. D. Waring

 

 

  1.  ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

      a.  A recent issue of the SRA NEWS shows Virginia Tech  in  the  second

          quartile  among  the leading 118 universities in terms of the indi-

          rect cost rates.

 

      b.  We are experiencing some problems with our courier service.  Use of

          a courier service should be avoided whenever possible.    The  U.S.

          Postal  Service's  Overnight  Mail is a viable option with some ad-

          vanced planning.

 

      c.  The statement of Goals and Objectives, developed by the  Commission

          as  part  of the Self Study, will be brought back to the Commission

          for refinement, followed by development of strategies for  the  im-

          plementation of the goals.  Dr. Arnold suggested that the statement

          be placed on the agenda of the Faculty Senate for general input and

          comment.

 

  2.  MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 1988 MEETING

 

      The minutes were approved as distributed with the removal of one unnec-

      essary punctuation mark.

 

  3.  COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

      Dr.  Arnold reported that President Torgersen and several other members

      of the University Council had read the  Commission's  report  on  reno-

      vations  and facilities.   It is anticipated that some positive actions

      will be forthcoming in the near future.

 

  4.  STRATEGY FOR CORE RESEARCH PROGRAM

 

      A new approach to Core Research has been formulated in response to some

      items raised in the Self-Study.  It is proposed that  some  positions--

      both faculty and classified--be recovered by "trading" 208-01 positions

      for a selected number of 230-01 appointments.  This approach would pro-

      vide  a  pool  of resources--initially relatively small, but eventually

      expanding to the 20 to 30 FTE level--that could be used to stimulate or

      augment new research initiatives.

 

      Meetings have been held with college representatives, and a list of po-

      sitions that might be "swapped" has been developed.  The colleges  have

      expressed  a willingness to participate if assurances can be given that

      208-01 positions will be made available to replace the Core  positions.

      It  is  anticipated  that this process may extend over a three-year pe-

      riod.

 

      This approach will permit colleges to support individual project initi-

      atives, while at the University level, major new research thrusts--such

      as outlined in the recent budget submission--could be supported.   Once

      a  certain  level  of  visibility is achieved and a track record estab-

      lished, external funding is more likely under such circumstances.

 

      The  requirement  that Core Research positions and operating dollars be

      applied to the needs of the Commonwealth would still remain.   The  re-

      search  efforts  that involve 230-01 funds would also have to fit under

      one of the approved subprograms.

 

      If this new approach is to be  implemented  for  the  coming  biennium,

      action will have to be taken in the next few weeks.  The members of the

      Commission  were  invited  to pass along to Dr. Hooper any further com-

      ments or suggestions regarding the proposed approach.

 

  5.  DEFINITION OF A GIFT

 

      The next step for the DEFINITION OF A GIFT would be for Minnis Ridenour

      or Dr. Smoot to issue this definition and the supporting  materials  as

      administrative policy.

 

  6.  REVISIONS TO APPENDIX H:  RESEARCH AGREEMENTS WITH INDUSTRY

 

      The revised Appendix H, including adjustments that reflect earlier Com-

      mission discussions, was brought forward for final consideration.

 

         MOTION  was made that the Commission endorse the revised Appendix

         H and that it now be placed in the Manual of Procedures.   Motion

         seconded and passed.

 

  The  last  item  on the agenda, FRS: New University Account System, will be

  carried over to the next meeting.

 

  The meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.  The next meeting will be March 9,  1988

  at 3:30 p.m. in the President's Board Room.

 

 

  OWL:mar

 

 

 

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