CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
April 21, 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)
1. F & A Discussion
The meeting began with a discussion about F & A. Dr. Baden suggested taking this discussion
further at the next IAC meeting. Some members suggested having Steve Meinhold and Bob Roer
present. Members were requested to send related items to Dr. Baden for this expanded discussion.
2. Marine Science Faculty Meeting
The group discussed potential dates for the Marine Science Faculty Meeting, and decided on May
10, in the afternoon; to be held at CMS. Agenda items relating to budgets, resources and people,
should be forwarded to Dr. Baden.
3. Lab Shuffle
Dr. Baden discussed the various offices and lab vacancies coming up at CMS, and requested that
members consider possible moves, or clustering research areas; and also to consider space for new
hires. Floor plans for the OPS wing and 2nd floor of main building were provided. A large number
of rooms will vacate on the second floor when the MARBIONC building is completed. The OPS
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
April 21, 2010
wing does not have very much open space, and any remaining vacancies there should be filled with
research support in the near future.
Another issue is that CMS is coming under scrutiny of campus space planning, which is looking to
allocate vacant space for academic use. This is further reason why the IAC should start carrying out
this exercise. Focus on a plan for room usage, even if they will be occupied at a future time. Taking
smaller rooms for resource facility would be an option. This is also an opportunity to set aside
space for visiting research scientists, and space for faculty that are currently on campus.
Dr. Sizemore will be in charge of organizing the new space allocation planning, and will convene a
group to move forward with this project.
4. Project Updates
Oyster Hatchery: Most of the lingering issues have been resolved, and the completion date has been
moved back to July 16, 2010.
The MARBIONC building is expected to break ground in September, 2010. There should be a
ground-breaking ceremony, planned for Sept. also. Currently the project is in design development
stage; followed by state approval stage; then construction can start. There will be changes to the
existing parking lots: elimination of the front lot, expansion of back lot, and possibly moving boat
lot to an area behind the OPS wing.
Wet Labs and Greenhouse: Greenhouse repairs planned due to the floor having been damaged by
salt water. The floors will be replaced, and a re-bar will be put in. This will be done by July this
year. After the Greenhouse repair is completed, work will begin on expanding the Wet Lab, funded
by Dr. Saterlie’s grant. The Wet Lab will expand into the old field storage room and old loading
dock area.
5. Pilot Projects
$200,000 has been made available from to fund Pilot Projects. Since currently a 2%
budget reduction scenario, is more likely than the 5% that was discussed in previous
meetings.
CMS Internal Advisory Committee Meeting
April 21, 2010
There was discussion of support for grad students, particularly when their TA support
ends. The group generally agreed that giving grad students support was a high
priority. It was also agreed that grad students should be given the opportunity to
apply for pilot projects.
6. Aquarius
Aquarius is now reopen, as of April 20, 2010, with new operations regulations. This is
following 11 months of being closed due to perceived safety lapses.
Dr. Pawlik, who was on the Dive Control Board, discussed the review process. He
thanked Ken Johns who reviewed all changes coming from IRB, and also Dr. Baden
for his part in helping move through this challenging process.
Dr. Baden expressed that there should be a formal announcement of the 2010-2011
season, and there should be a broader call, so the public can see the value of
Aquarius.
Fundraising for Aquarius will be an issue. Since at NOAA now all funding given over
to NOVA, their coral reef conservation program. There is heightened interest and
motivation to find funding, either with NOAA, or outside NOAA, to support IRV
missions.
Other Announcements
Dr. Baden informed about the Langdon Morris workshop, April 28 at CMS, and
encouraged IAC members to attend; and invite their department faculty. This would
be a valuable workshop for development, working together, and coming up with
innovative solutions; with an impressive track record of success. Attendance at the
April 28th workshop is expected from the Governor’s Office, NC Biotech, Chapel
Hill, NC State, and UNCW administrators and faculty.