Minutes for
Present: B. Butler, B. Larson, D. Pierce,
Guests: M. Manns, D. Miller, J. Stevens, G. Voos, S. Weatherford.
IDC met in
the Red Oak Room from
The purpose of
today’s meeting was to discuss the Intent to Establish the National
Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) at UNCA. NEMAC conducts basic and applied
environmental modeling, and collaborates with academic, governmental, commercial,
and non-profit organizations. One of its
current focus areas is climate and weather models and information. Dr. Stevens reviewed the roles of today’s
guests in NEMAC’s operations. Dr. Stevens serves as the Acting Director,
Dr. D. Miller provides technical expertise in Atmospheric Sciences, Dr. Voos serves as Director of Development (he will soon be
serving in this capacity on a half-time basis, as he has been appointed to a
half-time position as Director of the Office of Sponsored Scholarship and Programs),
and Dr. Manns manages the undergraduate student researchers and coordinates
research events. In addition, Ms. Laura
Morton serves as administrative assistant for NEMAC, and there are employees in
temporary positions at UNCA, as well as employees at other institutions.
Dr. Larson asked
about how competitive UNCA can be in attracting the large funding opportunities
specified in the Intent to Establish (projected revenues are $3.5 million by
2008). Dr. Voos
replied that UNCA can be competitive through collaborating with other
institutions and agencies. Sources of
projected revenues include federal earmarks (up to $1 million annually), grants
and contracts (up to $2 million annually), funding from the state of
The committee
discussed NEMAC’s space requirements. NEMAC currently occupies space in Rhoades
Hall. This space was allocated to NEMAC
by the UNCA Administration, and includes:
201 Rhoades (a suite with a reception area, 5 offices, and a storage
room), 205 Rhoades (a classroom that is currently used as meeting space, but
which will eventually be renovated into a laboratory with specialized
computers), and 207A Rhoades (a conference room that is currently used as a
student study room but which will eventually be renovated as an office for the
NEMAC Director after a national search is held). Occupants of 201 Rhoades currently include
Dr. Voos, Ms. Susan Weatherford (Office of Sponsored
Scholarships and Programs), Dr. Tom Burnet (a temporary NEMAC employee), and
Ms. Laura Morton. Representatives of
collaborating industry use the remaining office. Dr. Rossell asked whether 201 Rhoades could
be reconfigured to include an office for the incoming NEMAC Director, so that
207A Rhoades could be released for other UNCA uses. Dr. Stevens said that the director will be
someone of national prominence in the field who will be paid a significant
salary, and that the person will expect sizable office space. Dr. Manns said that NEMAC holds frequent
meetings, and requires a regular meeting space.
The committee
thanked the guests. After the guests
left, the committee discussed the proposal.
All committee members were in agreement that NEMAC has the potential to
bring significant opportunity to UNCA faculty and students. Dr. Rossell has continuing concerns about the
amount of space that has been allocated to NEMAC in Rhoades Hall, as UNCA
science departments and faculty continue to have space needs. However, since the space that NEMAC occupies
has already been allocated by the Administration, and their proposal indicates
that they will bring significant funding to the campus, the committee decided
to approve the proposal and bring it to the Faculty Senate for first reading in
February. Dr. Larson suggested that IDC
and the Faculty Senate bring the space needs of the campus to the attention of
the Administration for further discussion.