[Plsfaculty] Summary of 1-18-12 Faculty meeting

[Brian Larkins]

Dear all,

 

Here is a short overview of the main topics of discussion at our faculty
meeting yesterday:

 

1)      Most of the time was spent reviewing the draft I wrote summarizing
the responses to the Dean's questionnaire.  Except for some word-smithing,
there was general consensus that the document was satisfactory.  It was also
concluded that I should not include negative comments that appeared in
response to question 9.  I would say, however, if you feel there are
problems with the way the department is being managed, please see me.  I may
or may not be able to fix the problem, but in any case I would like to be
aware of it.

2)      Rich Jorgensen pointed out that there was only superficial mention
of our vision for where the department is going and what it ought to look
like in 5 -10 years.  The word "sustainability" was not mentioned in the
document.  Questions relevant to this topic are included in another set of
questions the Dean sent, and it is a good idea for the faculty to have a
shared vision,  if for no other reason than the fact that PLS is scheduled
for an academic review next year.   Rich suggested that rather than approach
this discussion from the point of view of the three former Divisions, small
discussion groups composed of mixed faculty from the former Divisions meet
and develop a vision for the future of PLS.  We would then discuss these
ideas at a faculty meeting.  I think this is a good approach;  it seemed to
work well for the present exercise.  

3)      In my previous meeting with the group of 10 who organized the
discussion groups to respond to the Dean's questionnaire, it was suggested
that I reconstitute the "Research Visioning Committee", and Rod Wing offered
to chair this committee.  I plan to follow-up with Rod next week and appoint
this committee.  I expect their deliberations would be valuable relative to
the vision issue, and hopefully they will start meeting right away.

4)      I explained that Donna-Rae and I, with the support of Dean Burgess,
have come up with a plan to deal with the 5% budget cut for FY 2013 that
will not necessitate any staff or faculty layoffs or impact the level of
your 2012 support.  This is primarily because the Dean is willing to apply
salary savings from retirements to our $200,000K bill.

5)      In case you have not heard, I am planning to become an emeritus
professor this summer.  I will be meeting with Dean Burgess next week to
discuss his thoughts about replacing me as Division Director.  I'm sure this
question will come up during our meeting with Dean Burgess next week.

 

I plan to follow-up organizing groups to discuss a vision of the future of
PLS, and you will be hearing from me soon in this regard.  I will also start
organizing a committee to manage the up-coming academic review of the
department.  If we make good progress with this work this spring, it will
make things a lot easier next fall.

 

Bye

Brian

 

Dr. Brian A. Larkins

Porterfield and Regents Professor

Director, School of Plant Sciences

University of Arizona

Forbes 303C

P.O. Box 210036

Tucson, AZ 85721

Tele (520)-621-9958

FAX (520)-621-3692

 

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