CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
September 16, 2009
Agenda
 Introductions and welcome new members (Dan Baden)
 Budgets (Anne Beach)
 New/continuing construction/renovation projects (Paul Reinmann)
 PhD in Marine Science program (John Morrison)
 International Marine Science Exchange Program (Ron Sizemore)
 IAC projects for 2009-2010 academic year (IAC)
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dr. Dan Baden (CMS/Director)
Dr. Chris Finelli (Bio/Non-Resident 2009-2011)
Dr. Wilson Freshwater (Non-tenure Research Faculty 2009-2011)
Dr. Jack Hall (EVS/Chair)
Dr. Russell Herman (PHY/Chair)
Dr. Lynn Leonard (GLY/Chair)
Dr. Dylan McNamara (PHY/Resident Faculty 2009-2010)
Dr. Joe Pawlik (BIO/Resident Faculty 2009-2011)
Dr. Martin Posey (BIO/Chair)
Dr. James Reeves (CHM/Chair)
Dr. Ronald Sizemore (CMS/Associate Director)
Dr. John Taggart (EVS/Non-Resident, 2008-2010)
Dr. Joan Willey (CMS/Associate Director)
Ex-Officio Members Present:
Steve McFarland (Vice Provost for Academic Affairs) for Cathy Barlow (Provost)
Guest Presenters:
Anne Beach, Paul Reinmann, and John Morrison
Introductions and welcome new members
Introductions were made. New members are Chris Finelli, Wilson Freshwater, Russell Herman, and
Dylan McNamara.
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
September 16, 2009
Budgets (Anne Beach)
Anne Beach gave a summary of the budget. CMS has incurred an overall 3.7% reduction in state funds.
A handout was provided with details of the budget. Budget cuts have resulted in reassignment of one
administrative personnel, reduction in support for pilot projects, as well as elimination of a vacant
position. Anne discussed various breakdowns, such as types of funds, and percentage of funding; also
funding by program, and changes in program funding.
New/continuing construction/renovation projects (Paul Reinmann)
Paul Reinmann discussed several major projects.
The Oyster Research Hatchery is a $4.3 million project, and will have an 8 month schedule to completion.
11,000 sq. ft. UNCW building, with outdoor tank area. Areas include: brood stock, larval culture, algae
bag, quarantine. Building will include offices, seawater mechanical, HVAC, electrical; will utilize
seawater from our existing seawater system; contain “green” features: orientation for some day lighting,
operable windows, minimal site clearing, tree replacement, low noise.
The MARBIONC Facility is a $30 million project: $15 million provided by NIST stimulus funding, with
50% UNCW match. 70,000 sq. ft. of lab building, and will include a parking lot. This facility will house
UNCW and leased space; will be a LEED Silver building, with energy efficiencies that could save up to
1/3 off existing bldg. operations expense. Designer selection is in process. Site work could start in
February 2010, with a 16 month construction, to finish summer 2011.
Dr. Baden mentioned that several offices/lab space in the CMS main building will be vacated when
several labs move over to the new MARBIONC building.
Paul also briefed on the Aquaculture Grant, which will be to expand aquaculture area.
In addition there will be the Greenhouse floor replacement project, to do construction and upgrades in this
area.
Some significant Natural Gas savings have been incurred as a result of modifications and upgrades to
equipment. Approximately $22,000 per month, or $300,000 per year have been saved as a result in these
upgrades.
PhD in Marine Science program (John Morrison)
Dr. Morrison discussed the status of this document, which had been on hold for a period, following
review from the Provost office last spring. More recently, after getting feedback from General
Administration that the process for approving was going forward, they discussed this with Bob Roer,
Dean of the Graduate School, and he agreed that it would be good to get this document in the quo. The
Graduate Council is scheduled to meet on Sept. 24, and is scheduled to review this paper. Members of
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
September 16, 2009
the Ad-hoc committee, Dr. Joan Willey and John Morrison, will meet with the Provost on Sept. 25th for
further discussions.
Dr. Morrison emphasized that this document is a request for authorization to plan, a pre-planning process.
The Provost will assign a committee to finalize the plan. The objectives are a high priority in the UNC
Tomorrow initiative. Dr. McFarland added that UNC Tomorrow emphasizes that new PhD programs
should be Inter-institutional.
IAC member Dr. Joe Pawlik commented about the limited circulation of the planning document to the full
marine science faculty. Dr. Morrison reminded the IAC that this was the “Permission to Plan” document,
not the “PhD proposal” to implement. It was agreed by all that further development of a PhD in Marine
Science would include greater participation and input from faculty during final document preparation.
There was further dissent from Dr. Joe Pawlik, citing resource issues which would affect the Marine
Biology PhD degree.
International Marine Science Exchange Program (Ron Sizemore)
Dr. Sizemore spoke about the Southampton Exchange Program. Two graduate students from the UK,
Southampton University are here for 2 semesters. We are targeting to get 2-4 applicants to go to
Southampton in the Spring 2010. He encouraged IAC members, and their department faculty, to promote
the program with their students.
Dr. Morrison added that marine science grad student Ebenezer Nyadjro participated in the program, and
spent 3 months in Southampton with their Oceanography Program. There he developed a satellite
tracking system that was utilized by UNESCO at their annual meeting in South Africa. Dr. Leonard
stated how this exchange program is a great way to obtain an oceanography minor with only one semester
abroad.
Cathy Lucas, coordinator from Southampton, will be visiting UNCW at the end of Sept.
There will also be a spring break 2010 program in Bermuda, BIO 485, which will be fully subsidized.
IAC projects for 2009-2010 academic year (IAC)
Dr. Baden suggested that there would be a Policies and Procedures review, as a topic for upcoming
discussion. Other topics for upcoming discussions will include: F & A, Trust, and Advancement.
Dr. Willey will provide an academic update.
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
September 16, 2009
Other Announcements
Proposal for R/V CAPE FEAR Replacement: Dan Baden, John Morrison, Joan Willey and Jay Styron
submitted a proposal to the NSF Academic Research Infrastructure Program: Recovery and
Reinvestment (ARI-R²) to replace the existing facility with a modern ~ 60’ (18 m) research catamaran.
The replacement facility will be a state-of-the-art, high-tech platform. A catamaran offers many
advantages, including greater stability and hence safety, as well as shallower draft, higher-speeds (~25
knots) and increased fuel efficiency. The wide beam provides deck and cabin areas that can accommodate
2 crew and 25 – 30 scientists/students for day trips and berth 10 scientists/students for overnight cruises of
5 days or more.
Dr. Willey shared an inquiry she received from a Biology PhD student, working in Dr. Esmlie's lab, to see
if any other marine science faculty was applying for a particular NSF grant - and if so, can she add her
request for equipment on it. This grant stipulates that only one institution (or marine lab) can apply per
year. The grant name is: "Improvements in Facilities, Communications, and Equipment at Biological
Field Stations and Marine Laboratories (FSML)". This grant would enable them to purchase a Direct
Mercury Analyzer for their study of mercury contamination in birds. If no other faculty is applying for
this grant, they will move forward with their own submission. For further information contact Rebecka
Brasso, PhD student.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 12:00pm. The next IAC meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2009.