TUESDAY MORNING NOTES - May 21, 2013

Tue May 21 09:19:27 MST 2013

TMN submittal:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/tuesday/form/submittal_form.html 

Tuesday Morning Notes 

May 21, 2013

FROM THE DIRECTOR:

As we work to develop and identify the strategically critical priorities for
hiring over the next 10 years, a question is commonly asked:  "What do we
really need first in our hiring plan?"  The answer to that basic question
is:  "Everything!"  Therein we have the heart of the challenge in
identifying the strategic priorities for hiring in both the short and
long-term plan.  While I have had the opportunity to evaluate our
Cooperative Extension system in a schematic, functional, and financial
manner, there are certain consistencies that arise in these reviews.  One
distinctly limiting feature that seems to be present in every
department/school on campus, county office, and agricultural center, is the
need for better infrastructure and staff support.  Any consideration that we
have with regard to the development of programs has to include a
consideration of the foundation upon which these programs are built.
Faculty positions are certainly important for driving these programs forward
towards implementation, but the staff components are certainly critical in
this process as well.

Over the course of the past 10 years as the University and CALS have
experienced a series of budget reductions, the funding to support operations
and staff positions have been particularly vulnerable.  Tenure track and
continuing track appointments that are held by existing personnel have been
exempt from these budget reduction procedures while staff and operational
financing have been fully exposed.  As a result, staff positions in
administrative support, technician lines, etc., have been severely decimated
throughout all aspects of this college, including Cooperative Extension.
Thus, while we are now dealing with 60% of the allocated funding base to
support faculty and staff positions in Cooperative Extension, a significant
fraction of those positions that have been lost are among the staff ranks.

Therefore, as we go through the next phase of identifying strategically
critical priorities for hiring, I think it is very important for us to
maintain a line of focus and consideration in the area of staff funding and
support.  These critical staff positions need to be considered in balance
with faculty positions necessary to develop, deliver, and fully implement
our programs across the state.  I'm sure this does not come as a great
revelation to anyone who has been working in CALS for more than a few years,
but I do hope to offer these comments as a reminder as we move forward in
the refinement of our strategic priorities. 

MARICOPA COUNTY DIRECTOR SEARCH UPDATE:

We are continuing in the search and screen process for the Director position
in Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.  Dr. Ed Martin will continue to
serve as the interim-chair and he is stepping down as the chair of the
search and screen committee.  Mr. Rick Gibson will be serving as the search
and screen committee chair (same committee composition) as the process moves
forward to the identification of the next Director.  Individuals interested
in the position are encouraged to apply.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Wednesday, May 22, 1-2:30pm (EDT) - "Developing a Successful Partnership
with Your County Government" Webinar with guest speaker Monica Pastor, Area
Agent, Agricultural Literacy and School Garden Food Safety.  To start or
join the online meeting, go to the NACAA Administrative Skills Webinar
website
<https://cornell.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?service=1&siteurl=corn
ell&nomenu=true&main_url=%2Fmc0806l%2Fe.do%3Fsiteurl%3Dcornell%26AT%3DMI%26E
ventID%3D178497882%26UID%3D491651792%26Host%3Df55d08080524040558%26FrameSet%
3D2> .  To participate by audio only, call toll free to 1-855-244-8681 and
enter access code 649 304 198 (no password required).  

May 25, 8:30am-3:30pm- Audubon Workshop Introducing Multi-State River
Protection Network, UA Karsten Turfgrass Research Facility Conference Center
(2101 E. Roger Road, Tucson).  Please join Audubon Arizona, Tucson Audubon
and the University of Arizona's Water Resources Research Center for a free
workshop to discuss Audubon's new multi-state effort to save western rivers.
Audubon has taken a major step to address threats to rivers in the arid
west, launching the Western Rivers Action Network (WRAN), a multi-state
grassroots coalition to advocate for rivers and the birds and other wildlife
that depend on them.  The workshop agenda will include overviews of critical
issues facing western rivers and habitats; a presentation about Audubon's
policy priorities for the WRAN; key Audubon Chapter presentations about
Arizona river protection efforts to be supported by WRAN; an afternoon
devoted to effective advocacy, communications and media with a legislative
introduction from Arizona legislators; and more. A light breakfast and lunch
will be served.  To RSVP, email Sarah Luna <mailto:llsarah at msn.com> .

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
<http://extension.arizona.edu/state/directors-suggestion-box> 's Suggestion
Box" - all submissions are anonymous.  

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