Present:

Baynton, Cohen, Doershuk, Fan, Flatté, Hesli, Hichwa, Holoubeck, Reardon, Ricketts, Romitti, Semel, Sharpe, Wichman

Guests:

Twila Reighley, Director, Sponsored Programs

Professor Michael Flatté called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Welcome and introduction of the fall 2008 Council members

Research Council Charge

Professor Flatté reviewed the Research Council charge as outlined in the Operations Manual.

Logistics of the Year

• October 17: Research and Graduate Council joint meeting
• November 18: Research Council and Associate Deans for Research joint meeting
• December 18: Research Council meeting

Publication Waiver Subcommittee

Overview:  

As a public institution, UI favors freedom of publication.  Over recent years, funding agencies have inserted language into contracts and agreements that place restrictions on publications.  When Sponsored Programs or the Clinical Trials Office is unable to remove the wording related to the publication restriction, then the PI can request that the VP for Research waive the UI policy on publications.  The RC subcommittee, from which two to three people are selected to evaluate each waiver request, meets via email when a waiver is requested by the PI, and offers advice to the OVPR in these situations.

Proposed:

The subcommittee should meet early with Grainne Martin and Twila Reighley and Charlotte Talman to be updated.

John Doershuk, Simon Holoubeck and Michael Wichman volunteered to serve on the subcommittee. Additional RC members would be encouraged to volunteer.

Meeting with Graduate Council

• Continued discussion on Responsible Conduct for Research (RCR) from last meeting.  This included the web-based training that Charlotte Talman, Clinical Trials Director, presented at the last meeting of the year.  Discussion included the importance of having something in place for the fall 2009 semester and to educate faculty with a formal program that will dovetail with the graduate student training requirement.  The desirability of training beyond web-based training was discussed.
• It was noted that our peer institutions have already started these types of training programs.  The web-based training program is a start in the process and is a good way to introduce the topic to a large group of students.
• Certification in RCR was discussed: should it be a one-time certification or annual?  Research Council should talk with constituencies for opinion.

Professor Flatté asked for additional agenda items for the October joint meeting with the grad council.  

Suggestions included:

• Update from Dean Keller on the status of block allocations and investment areas.
• Bridging support for grad students.
• Future of funding RAs, and creating a new budget model.

Update on Flood Related Issues:

• Twila Reighley, Director of Sponsored Programs, updated the council on grant agencies that are working with the UI in lieu of the flood.  A letter from the NSF was shared and she noted that extensions have been given by several granting agencies.  NSF representatives visited campus twice and were very impressed by the extent of the flood and how the UI is handling the aftermath.  In addition, a high ranking official from NIH visited once and the Deputy Chairman of the NEH is scheduled to visit in October.
• Cheryl Reardon, Assistant Vice President, updated the council on the increased workload due to the flooding and the condition of IATL, SHL, the Art Museum and Hancher.  Work is being done with individual faculty members from IATL and mitigation strategies are being created for all buildings in the event of future flooding.  A flood mitigation firm has been hired and a task force is being composed.
• Jim Walker was recognized for his extraordinary effort in clean up as was Paul Cooper for his superb work in moving animals from UIHC to safe ground prior to the flood.

Additional agenda items solicited:

• Year end agenda topics were read:
  • Faculty/Research Track
  • Grant writing initiatives
  • Funds for graduate students
  • Ethical conduct of research (RCR)
• Major topics were identified:
  • Revitalize research enterprise
  • Research funding for undergraduates
  • Publication waivers
  • Revisit change in research council membership
  • More contact with the faculty senate and graduate council
• New agenda items:
  • Revisit whole approach to economic development.
  • Discuss conflict of interest policies and management strategies
  • Indirect costs and the inconsistencies in how they are handled. 
  • Changes in F&As
  • Grants and incentives for grant writing (potential grad council topic)

The minutes from the last meeting of the Research Council were approved.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.