Montana
Forest and Conservation Experiment Station (Academic Policy 103.o)
Senate
Recommendation
A. Written Report Summary:
1.
Purpose: The purpose of the MFCES is scientific
investigation of natural resource problems and issues. It seeks to enhance
public understanding of forestry and conservation and to contribute to the wise
use of timber, water, range, wildlife and recreation resources. The MFCES was
created by an act of the Montana Legislature in 1937 as a statutory agency. The
MFCES is obligated to carry out research in the below areas which is reviewed
and authorized every biennium by the Montana Legislature.
2.
Objectives: Seeks to conduct and disseminate research on
natural resource topics with the following emphasis: Natural resource
management, Natural resource education, and Social and economic development of
Montana and the Rocky Mountain West.
3.
Anticipated activities: Research is
administered and conducted in the following areas:
a. Modeling and Management Information Systems
b. Fire Ecology and Management
c. Silviculture and Stand Management
d. Wildlife Ecology and Management
e. Water Riparian, and Wetland Resources
f. Recreation, Tourism, Wilderness, and Protected Areas
g. Economics, Management, and Policy
4.
Other organizations
involved: MFCES is directly linked to The College of
Forestry and Conservation at The University of Montana. The MFCES also has a
reporting and funding relationship to the USDA Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) as a recipient of Cooperative
Forestry Research Funds (McIntire-Stennis funds).
5.
Reporting line: The Director of the
MFCES reports to the Provost of The University of Montana. Activities are also
reported to the Montana Legislature.
6.
Relationships with institutional
mission and contribution to academic programs: Relates to the
instructional, research, and outreach components of the mission of the
University. Most faculty members of the College of Forestry and Conservation
hold joint appointments in the MFCES and all of their research activities are
administered by the MFCES. The center is heavily involved with graduate thesis
and dissertation projects and research activities are included in the courses
and field activities of the College.
7.
Similar programs: None
8.
Budget: See Center Review
Budget Form.
B. Review and Approval Process
2. The Faculty Senate through
its Chair, who in turn shall distribute it to
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.
Review
in terms of the University’s mission.
§
Comments:
§
Does
§
Is
the relationship with academic units beneficial? Yes, especially graduate
programs.
§
Is
the program revenue neutral or does it consume more resources than it
generates? If so, is the use of University resources justified? The program is well funded for the next five
years.
§
Is
the entity making progress toward objectives? Yes
Recommendation: Approve the Montana
Forest and Conservation Experiment Station for another five years.
Justification: The MFCES has
been on campus since 1937 and is partially funded by the USDA Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service. The Center is a statutory agency of
Montana and has been maintaining satisfactory levels of sustainable funding.