CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
February 17, 2010
Meeting Minutes
Members Present:
Dr. Dan Baden (CMS/Director)
Dr. Chris Finelli (Bio/Non-Resident 2009-2011)
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. 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)
Members Absent:
Dr. Wilson Freshwater (Non-tenure Research Faculty 2009-2011)
Dr. Jack Hall (EVS/Chair)
Dr. James Reeves (CHM/Chair)
Non-Members Present:
Dr. Brooks Avery (CHM)
Agenda Items:
1. Policy 990, Internal Advisory Committee – Draft Revision
2. Reductions in Budget – Draft Priorities
3. Climate Change Working Group
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
February 17, 2010
1. Policy 990 – Internal Advisory Committee
Draft Revision
The draft revision of Policy 990 was discussed. This document defines the scope and
responsibilities of the IAC. Dr. Baden stated that the structure of this group is
based on what other schools are doing at their highest level advisory committees.
Suggestions were made for having an IAC member in a coordinator role, to assist the
director with putting agenda items together. Also discussed was having a structure
similar to departmental models, where there is faculty interaction independent from
Chairs, and greater faculty autonomy.
There was discussion about whether the document should reflect what the group’s
responsibilities actually are vs. what they should be. Dr. Pawlik stated that the
group’s current role is to be “informed”, and thus he objected to having language in
the document that states “responsibilities”, if that is not what the reality is.
Dr. Baden responded that he perhaps was mistaken about “present reality” versus
“what the future would hold”. Dr. Baden had revised the draft policy with an eye
towards giving the IAC more responsibility. The IAC was instructed to give feedback
for revising the document, and expand or revise the bulleted list of responsibilities,
with the goal to make it an accurate list. Once consensus on the responsibilities of
the group is established, the document will be shared with faculty. NOTE added by
DGB: Word document to be sent to all members for track changes comment editing
and sent back to Catarina.
It was requested that references on the document to “Executive Committee” be
clarified by stating who they are – the Director and Associate Directors of CMS.
Suggestions were also made for having one of the voted-on members, be an ex-officio
member of the Executive Committee.
Dr. Leonard suggested that the IAC could have a greater role in face of Marine
Sciences strategic plan, such as when the chancellor asks for a presentation by faculty,
an IAC member could be sent to present, or represent marine science topics.
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
February 17, 2010
The scheduling of the Marine Science faculty meeting was discussed. Requests were
made that a standing date should be decided on, by May this year (for next year);
early January was suggested as a good time.
2. Reductions in Budget – CMS
Draft Priorities
CMS has been asked to prepare a 4.5 - 5% budget reduction scenario. Final numbers
not available, but preparation was made in the following areas:
Administrative, academic, graduate support, core facilities support, Seawater and
Marine Operations.
MORE DETAIL WAS PRESENTED BUT IS NOT REFLECTED IN THE IAC
MINUTES DUE TO INDIVIDUAL ITEM SENSITIVITY.
Currently CMS is looking at 137k in permanent reductions.
Concerns were expressed about the impact on students, if the small boats fleet is
affected. Student access to boats is what makes us unique amongst competitors, and
the trickle down impact of that should be looked at.
Members asked to be shown the whole picture, especially what is not being cut.
The CMS Budget will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting, with budget
sheets provided. Members requested that comprehensive breakdown of the budget
be provided, in order to have a better understanding of the big picture; also wanted
to review what Cores, and which people are working for a larger group of individuals,
or have a greater impact on the Center.
Dr. Leonard suggested a pay-as-you-go arrangement with many of the services, such as
what Melissa Smith provides for a large group of people, students and researchers.
She stressed that grad students should be kept out of the cuts as much as possible.
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
February 17, 2010
3. Climate Change Working Group – Lynn Leonard
Dr. Leonard informed about the Climate Change Working Group initiative.
Following the UNC-System Climate Change Retreat in November, working groups
were initiated. Dr. Leonard along with other faculty are spearheading this effort at
UNCW.
The objective is to form a climate change faculty working group, which would
function as an advisory body to administration on climate change issues; and to
develop regional engagement. This group would also pursue funding for climate
science curriculum, instruction and research. They would focus on curricular
development, collaboration, outreach and research. Dr. Leonard suggested there
could be a role for the IAC in this as well. Collaboration is already in place with the
National Weather Service, with funding from the Chancellor’s office. The group
will next meet on February 25.
On the topic of Climate Change, the Planet Ocean Seminar Series will be also
dedicated to climate change, for next year.
Dr. Baden mentioned Otis Brown of Cooperative Institute for Climate Science. Otis
was responsible for bringing about the Climate Change Workshop. He is trying to
make CICS in North Carolina the biggest in region. He hopes to have Dr. Brown
be a speaker at Planet Ocean next year.