Meeting notes: April 11, 2014

Recap of presentation to Board of Trustees (BoT) Research and Graduate Education subcommittee from 4/10/14.

Three main takeaways (slide presentation):

1. We need to view this as a significant opportunity for RIT and not be limited by present constraints.  This is the time to express aspirational vision. The BoT was concerned about US position in global competitiveness in science and engineering.  How can RIT contribute?  Industry placement is critical.
2. Goal of research: BoT: RIT should produce “applied interdisciplinary critical thinkers.” 
   1. Research with relatively short term impacts vs. near term commercialization.  What does “applied” mean? 
   2. Examples and success stories of research impact from RIT students would be helpful, in addition to iphone example.  ACTION: task force members send examples to Callie and Vicki.
   3. Should RIT revisit the expectations for faculty research?
   4. Focus: BoT would like RGE to provide a vision for key areas of future impact.  Where is RIT going to make a fist to punch a hole in the wall in 10 – 20 years?
      1. We do not have the option of a grass roots development approach.
      2. We need unique (or competitive) areas to enhance fundraising opportunities.
      3. BoT recommends very clear and specific areas of focus from this task force.
      4. Some of the choices for focus areas have been made, eg. Sustainability and Imaging, but could benefit from reexamining the operational definitions.
      5. Some discussion of what focus areas to choose

                                                               i.      Life sciences and fundamental research may not be popular with BoT but an argument could be made that it is best synergy with undergrad education.

                                                             ii.      Existing PhD programs have one commonality (maybe): “Big Data” or “Data-driven discovery” or “Applied Data Science.”

                                                           iii.      We have commitments to current Ph.D. students that we cannot back away from. 

1. Barrier Free Interdisciplinary Work. 
   1. How is credit assigned for work done?
   2. Reinvestment of F&A

                                                               i.      Currently spread too thin.  What would we change?

1. Infrastructure and space
2. Ph.D. major and minor
3. MS programs

What are the wildest dreams?  What would succeed? 

1. Change metrics and incentives for deans to be more inclusive across colleges.  Include metrics for collaboration and work with students.
2. F&A return creates competition between deans.  It is small change and won’t make a real difference.
3. Standardized evaluation process for faculty across RIT.
4. Joint appointments to increase collaboration.
5. Faculty club/bar/space to encourage serendipitous collaboration.
6. Improved allocation of research space.
7. Project based measurement vs calendar based measurement for faculty performance.
8. Centralized research infrastructure with open access.
9. Change graduate student recruitment and education to interdisciplinary focus.

Callie reminded the group that we are responsible for a response in the table format given.  She and Vicki are open to any responses from members at any time.