Tuesday Morning Notes, June 26, 2012

[Jeff Silvertooth]

TMN 
submittal:  http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html
Tuesday Morning Notes
June 26, 2012


FROM THE DIRECTOR:

Productivity is a common goal for all of our professional 
endeavors.  However, productivity can be defined in a lot of 
different ways, depending on the nature of the work and the 
individual perspectives that define "productivity".  In a university 
setting the issue of productivity is critical in relation to program 
evaluations and in the promotions and evaluations of individuals as 
well.  Therefore, it is important that we define productivity for 
Extension programs.

In earlier pieces and with numerous conversations and presentations 
recently, I have listed several features or attributes that I see as 
being important and consistent with productive Extension 
programs.  The "multi-faceted" nature of Extension programs will 
result in an array of products that are also variable in form and 
function.  For example, Extension programs will often produce outputs 
such as bulletins, workshops, newsletters, educational websites, 
videos, software, research reports, conference proceedings, refereed 
journal articles, etc.  All of these outputs are important tools to 
Extension professionals in the delivery of their programs but not 
every program will need or generate each of these types of 
products.  However, Extension programs usually cannot afford to be 
narrow in the scope of productivity and still be effective.
The outputs that a program does generate helps identify the type of 
productivity that is coming from a program. The next important part 
of a productive program is the actual outcomes and "impacts" the 
program is having through the use of these output tools. Accordingly, 
it is important to distinguish between "activity" and "productivity".

What we need are good and viable Extension programs that are commonly 
multi-faceted and always effective.   In the review of the Extension 
programs that we are conducting across CALS we are trying to identify 
the programs that are not only productive in outputs but most 
importantly those programs that produce the most effective outcomes 
and impacts.  We are currently focusing on the issues associated with 
our budget challenges and reductions across this college. I believe 
that in the next year or so we will be in a position to build and 
enhance programs in strategically important areas.  The strongest, 
productive programs are the most likely candidates for future 
building and enhancement.

TECH TIP OF THE WEEK  CHECKING FOR DNSCHANGER INFECTION:

Less than 3 weeks before the deadline for taking clean DNSChanger 
servers permanently offline, hundreds of thousands of computers still 
are using the servers for DNS queries and face the risk of being cut 
off from the Internet on July 9.  The situation is the result of a 
click-jack scheme to redirect Web traffic that was shut down by the 
FBI in November 2011.  To allow time for the clean-up of infected 
computers, the FBI obtained court orders allowing the temporary 
operation of clean DNS servers using the ring's IP addresses by 
Internet Systems Consortium.  The second of those orders expires July 
9, and when the servers are shut down, DNS queries sent to them will 
go nowhere.  According to the DNSChanger Working Group, more than 
300,000 unique IP addresses still were communicating with the stopgap 
servers as of June 11.  The number of affected users could be much 
higher (Source:  DHS Daily Open Source Infrastructure Report, U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security).  To check your computers for the 
DNSChanger infection or for more information, use the DNS Changer 
Check-Up website or check out the DNSChanger Malware information 
document (which details how to manually check for the DNSChanger infection).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

On August 9-10, the Arizona Rural Development Council will host the 
only statewide conference developed expressly for rural 
nonprofits.  The 2012 Rural Policy Forum will provide communities 
access to newly identified resources, opportunities for 
collaboration, and capacity-building services to more effectively 
meet the needs of rural Arizona.  The Forum will also allow grant 
seekers, grant makers, representatives of public agencies and elected 
officials explore new partnerships that lead to mutual understanding, 
successful grant proposals, and more financial resources for rural 
Arizona. This event allows grant makers to expand their visibility 
across the State, familiarize themselves with rural communities and 
target their philanthropic giving to organizations and programs that 
make the greatest community impact.  To register, go to the 2012 
Rural Policy Forum website ($99 early bird registration deadline is June 30).


Jeffrey C. Silvertooth
Associate Dean
Director for Economic Development & Extension
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
PO Box 210036
Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
520.621.7205
520.621.1314 (fax)

To submit tips, suggestions, ideas for changes and anything that 
could help us be more effective, use  the "Director's Suggestion 
Box"  all submissions are anonymous.
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