FACULTY MEETING MINUTES -- APRIL 22, 2003

ATTENDEES: Drs. Adams, Buss, Capinera, Cuda, Fasulo, Foltz, D. Hall, G. Hall, Hoy, Koehler, Larson, Liburd, Maruniak, McAuslane, McSorley, Oi, Smart, Stimac, Webb, Yu; C. Tucker, M. Litchfield.

Meeting came to order at 3:05 PM.

Capinera passed out copies of the budget, UF/IFAS FY 2004 Federal Priorities, and 2004-2005 Extension Long-Range Plan Entomology/Nematology Department.

Discussed FTE that was passed out on April 11 to each faculty to review and return to chair if changes were necessary. What was handed out to faculty was the budgeted FTE not generated FTE. There seemed to be some confusion between the budgeted FTE for the year and the Semester Assignment Report. FTE for the year is a summary of faculty's function for the entire year. The Semester Assignment Report is a projection of what each individual faculty member plans to do for the coming semester. If there are any adjustments to be made in the Semester Assignment Report the Registrar's Office contacts the Business Office and Sharon makes any adjustments necessary. Capinera asked that if there were any changes in the FTE to make them on the sheet he passed out and return it to him.

When making an estimate for percent of time for working on a grant put research percentage only and keep matching to a minimum, 5-15% of time. When handing in a grant check with Sharon to make sure that you have filled it out correctly.

Budget: House & Senate seems to be in agreement, plus or minus 1 million. We won't have final amount until budget is passed. We may have no cuts this year and if this budget holds we will recover all DROP funds from retiring faculty and should be able to hire replacements. The bottom half of handout shows twelve million which is a one time allocation.

IFAS Funding Priorities: The T-STAR program has increased funding, with a good likely hood that it will continue. This is the Comprehensive Initiative for Research, Education and Regulation of Exotic Pests to develop appropriate strategies and tactics to stem the influx of exotic diseases, insects and weeds into the United States. There is a space science research program, which is an interdisciplinary collaboration that will provide dedicated biotechnology, and agricultural research focused on the regeneration of space flight environments. There is a medical entomology program with Vero Beach for which they are soliciting participation. Another area is international activity. IFAS formerly had a good international program but for the last few years it has decreased. Here is an opportunity for faculty to look into and obtain funds for their international activities.

Extension Long-Range Plan: Extension faculty met and came up with long-range plans and measures of impact. Impact includes examination of EDIS to see what publications the public is viewing, and a survey of County Extension Agents for a report for Extension Administration in IFAS. We need to produce data that will back up extension programs so the consumer can see that this is a scientific program. Capinera went over the plan and discussed report with faculty.

Don Hall will convene a Screening Committee meeting immediately after the last candidate presents his last seminar. This will probably be next Friday afternoon, May 2. A faculty meeting will be called the following week so that a decision can be made to hire the new faculty.

Dr. Smart gave a list of the new students that will be coming in the Summer Semester: Erika Anderson with Don Hall and Russ Mizell; Samuel Breaux with Drion Boucias and Russ Mizell; Rodrigo Diaz with Dave Schuster; Rachel Seman with Bob McSorley; and Frank Wessels with Jim Cuda.

Meeting adjourned at 3:35 PM.