III Periodic Review of Centers (Academic Policy 100.0)
Center
for the
A.
Written Report Summary:
1.
Purpose: The Center for the Rocky Mountain
West is a resource for a region which its people care deeply about - a resource
they can use to better understand the region's past and present and to explore
and share aspirations for its future.
2.
Objectives: Ÿ To create
an array of programs and activities, such as conferences, forums, and
institutes that bring regional thinkers and leaders together to discuss the
region and to utilize the humanities to deepen our regional understanding of
common issues and potentials. Ÿ To
produce a variety of informational materials such as books, articles, news
pieces, web sites, and other publications that advance understanding of the region’s
history and culture and the challenges and opportunities for the region’s
future. Ÿ To conduct new and unique
forms of inquiry and study into the region’s history and current transformation
and to convey new insights and ideas gained from this study to others in the
region. Ÿ To produce new and
innovative databases and information systems that can be used by thinkers and
decision makers to better understand and advance the region. Ÿ To create an interdisciplinary forum within which
students and faculty at The University of Montana can explore and research
regional issues and enhance their understanding of the Rocky Mountain West as a
region and the role of
3. Activities: A valuable
outlet for regional scholarship has been the Center’s journal, Changing
Landscape, designed as another resource westerners can use to better
understand their region.
Humanities and Culture offers opportunities to celebrate the region's
culture, understand better its heritage, and weave a regional identity from
threads of difference and commonality through public conversations - lectures,
symposia, exhibits, publications - and scholarly research. Examples of
conference activities include “A.B. Guthrie’s The Big Sky- After 50 Years” in 1997, Joseph Kinsey Howard: Writer
of Place and Trans-Border Crusader” in 1998, and Saints and Others: Mormonism
in the North American West” in 2002. A
cross-boarder activity includes a lecture exchange between The University of
Montana and the
The Regional Economy program has three focuses: 1) Larger changes in the
economy and how these translate into change among individual communities and sub
regions, with an emphasis on supporting community and business leaders as they
consider options for the future; 2) Challenges and opportunities tied to the
continuing development of a "transnational" economy in the region,
resulting from the steady reduction of obstacles to trade and interchange
across the U.S.-Canada border; and 3) Changing relations between the region's
economy and natural environment, recognizing the growing importance of the
environment as an extractive resource, biological system, and multi-faceted amenity,
and further recognizing that achieving balance among these is a key to the
region's future economic prosperity. Activities include: Ÿ Development and distribution of the web-based Regional Economies Assessment Database or READ System
for systematic evaluation of sub-state regional economies. Ÿ Special studies and reports on economic development and change among
sub-regions and communities of the region and on-going support of area planning
initiatives throughout the region. ŸPresentations throughout the region
on important changes underway in the region's economy. Ÿ Assessments of cross-border developments in regional trade,
transportation, travel, and community interchange. ŸPeriodic
conferences examining major developments in the region's economy and prospects
for the future.
The Center's work in regional policy raises issues, conducts research,
provides information, and works in partnership with others to create forums in
which people who care about the region can reach across the ideological divides
that often prevent them from working productively together. Activities include:
Forums for public land dialogue; “Cities of the Rockies’ conference which was
an outgrowth of an ongoing series of Summer Institutes sponsored by the Center
to address important issues affecting the future of the U.S. and Canadian Rocky
Mountain West; Headwaters News, a daily on-line news service for the Rocky
Mountain West viewed for approximately 4,000 of the region’s most influential
policymakers, journalists, educators, environmental and industry leaders, urban
planners, Native American Leaders, and state and federal government agencies
and staffs; and a weekly op-ed page called Perspective. Emerging and planned activities include:
4.
Other organizations involved:
The Center’s Advisory Board members include President Dennison, Vice
President for Research Dyer,
5.
Reporting line: One member of the senior staff
serves as the Center’s Director, reporting to the University administration
through the Vice President for Research and Development. Most of the Center’s decisions are reached by
consensus at weekly senior staff meetings, and the directorship is intended to
rotate among members of the senior staff much as departmental chairmanships
rotate.
6.
Relationships with academic units:
The four senior members of the Center, William Farr, Daniel Kemmis,
Larry Swanson, and Pat Williams teach not only at The University of Montana but
also, through frequent guest lectures and speeches, throughout the region on
history, forestry, arts, journalism, political science, and environmental
studies. William Farr, the former chair
of the Department of History continues to teach history and has developed the
Center’s course on Regionalism and the West with Pat Williams. Larry Swanson shares his findings about the
transitions currently under way in
7.
Similar programs: There are no other programs in
8.
Budget:
a. 1.
Current faculty and percentage of time:
William Farr,
Associate Director of Humanities and Culture
.5
Current staff:
Daniel Kemmis,
Director 1.0
Pat Williams, Senior Fellow
in Public Policy 1.0
Larry Swanson,
Associate Director of Regional
Gloria Phillip, Program
Assistant for Humanities & Culture 1.0
Jeanie Thompson,
Administrative Assistant 1.0
Doug
Shellie Nelson,
Headwaters Assistant Editor 1.0
2. Need and cost for new faculty (next five years)/ 3. Need for other
personnel:
To ensure the long-term sustainability of the Center, to
assure that Center senior personnel can be replaced through recruitment as
necessary to attract high quality and experienced persons, and to provide
greater flexibility in the allocation of senior personnel to emerging needs and
opportunities that may not have immediate grant or contract support, the Center
proposes to initiate a Center faculty fellow endowment fund to support at least
three senior fellow positions. The
intent is that each fellow endowment will be complemented by an agreement with
a cooperating UM department to support the regular teaching of at least one
class each year by the Center fellow.
b. Use and anticipated needs (next five
years) of University Resources:
1.
c. Source of Funding (last fiscal year):
|
General
Funds |
209,780 |
33.86% |
Personnel |
543,800 |
87.77% |
|
Grants |
221,935 |
35.82% |
Operations |
22,439 |
3.62% |
|
**Other |
187,834 |
30.32% |
Programs |
53,310 |
8.61% |
|
Total |
619,549 |
100.00% |
Total |
619,549 |
100.00% |
**Includes sales and service, donations,
interest earnings from endowment, SPABA
5-Yr. Totals
|
Grants & Contracts |
State |
Endowment |
Misc |
Total |
|
$1,378,2473 |
$1,012,816 |
$766,522 |
$156,042 |
$3,313,623 |
|
42% |
31% |
23% |
5% |
100% |
Anticipated source of funding for the next five years: The Center expects to expand their endowment base by
approximately $2.5 million over the next five years, and to expand grant and
contract support for the operating budget.
B. Review and Approval Process
2. The Faculty Senate through its Chair,
Review in terms of Scope as stated in academic policy 100.0
To provide instruction, scholarship, or service to the University, state or
world by: (1) focusing attention on an
area of strength and/or addressing a critical issue, or (2) facilitating
collaborative, multi-disciplinary endeavors to combine resources from several
programs or institutions to address issues of common interest.
- Comments: By what criteria are the
members of the Center appointed (for example, the latest appointment – Bob
Brown)? They talk about their coordination with other programs, but more
concrete evidence of this would be helpful.
In terms of the scope as stated in academic policy 100.0: 1) Yes, the Center does focus attention on their strengths and addresses important, critical issues of the region – extending to trans-border issues with - Controversial: Yes, this center
is seen as somewhat controversial.
- Relationship with academic
units beneficial: According to their report, there are four senior members
of the Center who teach courses not only at UM, but also give lectures and
speeches throughout the region.
- Revenue: The initial
understanding that most faculty have, is that this Center would be
self-sufficient and depend on few state (university) funds. This is not the
case. Over one third of Center funding comes from state money. They are working on expanding their endowment base by expanding
grant and contract support for the operating budget – which is a necessity
for continuing operation as a center.
- Progress towards objectives:
The Center has numerous successful out-reach activities that demonstrate
their dedication to achieve their stated purpose and objectives. They
provide a unique function for the region, being the only center that
focuses on the Northwest.
Recommendation:
Justification: The academic contributions that
Part of the reason this center is
controversial is because its budget is heavily weighted towards personnel.
After talking with senior fellows from the