Experiences of a Director Presented at the New Directors’ Orientation for CSREES/ESS December 11, 2002 Washington, DC McArthur Floyd, Ph.D., Research

Experiences of a Director

Presented at the

New Directors’ Orientation for CSREES/ESS December 11, 2002

Washington, DC

McArthur Floyd, Ph.D., Research Director and ProfessorSchool of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

Alabama A&M UniversityNormal, Alabama

December 2002 Experiences of a Director (New Directors' Orientation for CSREES/ESS) Dr. McArthur Floyd

2

Introduction/Background

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) reflects the uniqueness of the traditional land-grant institutions combining, education, research, and service in professional, vocational and liberal arts fields.

AAMU provides baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral level degree programs.

It operates in the three-fold function of teaching, research, outreach/extension-public service.


3

Introduction/Background … continued

Six schools: School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, School of Engineering and Technology, and School of Graduate Studies.

The University enrollment for the 2002-2003 academic year is approximately 6000 with 4500 undergraduates and 1500 graduates.


4

School of Agricultural & Environmental SciencesAlabama Agricultural & Mechanical University

Chair Dept. of

Family and Consumer Sciences

3

Chair Dept. of

Agribusiness 1

Chair Dept. of

Community Planning and Urban Studies

2

Chair Dept. of

Plant and Soil Sciences

5

Chair Dept. of

Food and Animal Sciences

4

Provost and

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dean and Director, School of Agricultural

and Environmental Sciences (SAES)

Vice President for Research and Development

Director SAES Research

Technical Editor

Administrative Secretary

Grants & Contracts Specialist

Winfred Thomas Agricultural

Research Station (WTARS)

WTARS Station Manager

WTARS Support Staff

President

Chair Dept. of

Family and Consumer Sciences

3

Chair Dept. of

Agribusiness 1

Chair Dept. of

Community Planning and Urban Studies

2

Chair Dept. of


5

Chair Dept. of

Food and Animal Sciences

4

Provost and

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dean and Director, School of Agricultural


Vice President for Research and Development


Technical Editor






WTARS Support Staff


5

Departmental Level SAES/AAMU

Dean, School of Agricultural



Technical Editor






WTARS Support Staff

Chair Dept. of


5

Director Plant Science

Center (PSC)

Director Center for

Hydrology, Soil Climatology and Remote Sensing

(HSCaRS)

Director Center for

Environmental Research and

Training (CERT)

Director Center for Molecular

Biology (CMB)

Director Interactive Video

Center for Distance Learning*

DirectorCenter for

Forestry and Ecology(CFE)

*Shared with all the Departments

within the SAES.


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Clientele Groups

Grass Roots Involvement and Support – Broad based support is important to the success of any legislative or programmatic agenda. Advisory committees, listening sessions, focus groups, all contribute to such involvement.

To more effectively communicate with the public, we have organized our research under the center’s concept; each being housed within the various academic units within the School.


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Clientele Groups … continued

Eleven Research Centers are:1. Center for Environmental Research & Training (CERT)2. Center for Forestry and Ecology (CFE)3. Center for Molecular Biology (CMB)4. Center for Hydrology, Soil Climatology, and Remote

Sensing (HSCaRS)5. Plant Science Center (PSC)6. Center for Urban and Rural Research (AMCURR)7. The Small Farm Research Center (SFRC)8. The Family Research Center (FRC)9. Food Safety and Nutrition Center10.Small Ruminant Research Center11. Interactive Video Center for Distance Learning


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Legislators and Congressional Staff

Even though the University has its own Lobbyists, it has given permission to the Research Director under the authority of the Alabama Agricultural Land-Grant Alliance (AALGA) to pursue issues with state and national legislatures regarding agricultural research.

Personal relationships – In the final analysis, legislative decisions are influenced by personal relationships. In many cases, relationships with staff are just as important as with principals.

Although personal relationships take much time to develop and nurture, the payoff will be great.

Keep legislators informed of your needs and what you have done with the resources they have provided.

As much as possible, invite legislators to campus (via superiors) and to research activities.


9

Internal Politics of University Life

Communications - Effective and frequent communications with superiors, peers, faculty and staff are essential to a successful research agenda/program. Despite these efforts, potential conflicts occur in the following areas:

Maintaining / Increasing Agricultural Research funding lines in a University climate/environment of limited and decreasing budgets

Net gain from newly required State match for Federal Funds State Referendum “Agricultural Bond Fund”

Role of Agricultural Experiment Station vs. Sponsored Research Programs Office

Strive for high ethical standards – in all of your dealings. IN ALL WAYS be honest.


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State Funding Initiatives

Deans and Directors can do little – a few voters can do much! Link state appropriations to federal dollars. AALGA works together to identify the opportunities and

challenges facing Alabama agriculture, forestry, and natural resources through:

1. The development of new products and new markets;

2. Adding value to existing products;

3. Safe-guarding the health of Alabama citizens by ensuring the safety of their food, air and drinking water;

4. Protecting the environment and creating economic opportunities through unique ways to recycle animal waste; and

5. Conducting other special projects identified by stakeholders/clientele and agreed upon by the Deans/Directors.


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State Funding Initiatives … continued

To achieve these goals, each member institution of AALGA has agreed to:

1. Improve agriculture, forestry, and natural resources by looking constantly for efficiencies when faculty at more than one university work cooperatively on projects;

2. Involve the three land-grant universities in making research decisions that affect Alabama;

3. Share concerns of agricultural customers;

4. Jointly look for innovative funding opportunities for research; and

5. Maintain the autonomy of the participating institutions while facilitating cooperation in agricultural and related areas that serve Alabama citizens.


12

State Funding Initiatives … continued

Successful state funding efforts require effective involvement of the media.

1. The AALGA Report

2. Symposia, conferences, etc.

3. Station Bulletins, Newsletters, etc.

4. Special Reports Keep superiors informed of actions and who’s serving

as “champion” of our initiatives.


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Commodity Group Relationships

Organizations need to have open access to the University and its program. All faculty and staff need to understand the importance of providing courteous and prompt assistance to clientele.

Faculty, staff, commodity and community leaders all benefit from conscious leadership development efforts.

As the cadre of individuals who know and understand the University and who are advocates for science and education grows, the University gains significantly.

About 10 years ago our commodity group relationship was limited. Today, there is an excellent relationship resulting from open access and better communication regarding benefit of research results to the groups/organizations or communities involved.


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Special Thanks

Special thanks to the following contributors regarding the development, vision and planning of research programs at Alabama A&M University:

The late Dr. Winfred Thomas (retired SAES Dean),

Dr. James W. Shuford (SAES Dean), the ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Program, the Association of Research Directors, and various Experiment Station Directors of 1862

Programs.


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Special Thanks … continued

Special mention to: Dr. Tom Helms (retired Executive Director of Southern

Region), Dr. Darrell Nelson (University of Nebraska) Dr. Jerry Klonglan (Iowa State, retired) Dr. Vic Lechtenberg (Purdue University), Dr. Colin Kaltenbach (University of Arizona), Dr. McKinley Mayes (USDA retired), Dr. P. S. Benepal (Multicultural Alliances/USDA), Dr. George Cooper (CSREES/USDA), and finally to the staff in my office, the department heads,

and the faculty within the School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Documents

Experiences of a Director Presented at the New Directors’ Orientation for CSREES/ESS December 11, 2002 Washington, DC McArthur Floyd, Ph.D., Research