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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is a short overview of the main topics of discussion at our faculty meeting yesterday:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>4)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>5)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bye<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Brian<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dr. Brian A. Larkins<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Porterfield and Regents Professor<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Director, School of Plant Sciences<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>University of Arizona<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Forbes 303C<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>P.O. Box 210036<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tucson, AZ 85721<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tele (520)-621-9958<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>FAX (520)-621-3692<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>