Minutes - Feb 28, 2012

Date of Meeting: 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

12:30pm – 201 Gilmore Hall

Council Members present: 

Manar Al-Ghabeish, Jordan Cohen, John Doershuk, Edward Gillan, Carin Green, Robert Kirby, Kevin Kopelson,Miriam Landsman, Cheryl Reardon, John Rosazza, Neil Segal, Alberto Segre and Paul Soderdahl

Gue​sts:

David Hensley, Ann Ricketts and Zev Sunleaf

Agenda Item 1: Approval of minutes from February 14th meeting

Alberto Segre made a motion to accept the minutes from the February 14th meeting, Bob Kirby seconded the motion. The minutes were approved.

Agenda Item 2: Discussion of Economic Development

Jordan Cohen, David Hensley, Ann Ricketts and Zev Sunleaf spoke about the Universityof Iowa's contribution to Iowa's economic development. Highlights from their presentation:

  • The University works in concert with regional business partners, such as the Iowa Economic Development Agency (IEDA), Iowa City Area Development Group (ICAD) and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.
  • The Van Allen radiation belt, CMV Promoter, Dr. Ponseti’s nonsurgical treatment of clubfoot and the Iowa Test of Basic Skills have all been major UI contributions to economic development.
  • An agreement with Kirkwood and the ICCSD to develop a STEM education center at the UI Research Park has been executed.
  • 20 startup companies have been launched in the past five years, with many becoming viable companies.
  • UI’s school of Urban and Regional Planning has partnered with the cities of Dubuque, Decorah, Charles City, Burlington, Columbus Junction, Wellman, Oskaloosa and Cedar Rapids on multiple sustainability goals.
  • Arts education and engagement is also a part of economic development. A new Public Engagement Grant Program will award a maximum of $3,500 [for up to four proposals] to promote collaboration between UI and the community.
  • The Bedell Entrepreneurial Learning Lab is a successful campus student business incubator.
  • Future economic development opportunities for the University:
    • EPSCoR
    • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education
    • Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND)
    • Synergy with agriculture, food production, bioenergy and animal and human health.

There was discussion about forming a Research Council subcommittee to determine what might be included in the economic development spotlight from their perspective.

Agenda Item 3: Discussion of the Undergraduate Research Survey for Students

The Undergraduate Research Survey for Students was submitted to the Research Council for suggestions and changes. The goal is to have the survey sent to undergraduate students the week following Spring Break. 

Agenda I​tem 4: Other Business

Alberto received an email from Jim Walker, just this morning, requesting that the Research Council review and respond to proposed Conflict of Interest policy changes. Jim would like a response from the Council as early as possible, and preferably by Friday. Since there won’t be another Research Council meeting until March 20th, Alberto suggested the Council review the proposed policy changes by email and/or have few members meet and discuss the proposed policy changes. He will send an email to the Council regarding this.

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m