Strawman/Papers

Creating Cross-Functional Regional Committees

July 17, 1997

The goal of cross-functional regional committees is to bring the most knowledgeable research, teaching and extension faculty and professionals together to address critical problems facing our stakeholders. These committees are brought together by a common concern and the purpose of the group is to solve a common problem. Many of the critical issues facing us call for cross-functional approaches to address the complexity of the issue. A simplified process for creating the group should be used.

The primary concerns of administrators are:

  1. 1. Is the issue a priority for the Northeast?
  2. 2. Is a cross-functional approach needed to address the problem?
  3. 3. Can the group develop a solution to the problem?
  4. 4. What resources will be needed?
  5. 5. Where will these resources come from?

The process outlined below is proposed for creation of the Northeast Research, Extension, and Academic Programs (NEREAP) committee.

  1. 1. The Northeast Administrative Heads Section will approve the formation of a NEREAP. An initial request to write a proposal would be submitted through an Administrative Head of one of the Northeast Land Grant Universities (LGU). At institutions where the Director of Extension and the Administrative Head of Agriculture are not in the same administrative unit, either individual may sponsor a proposal. The sponsor would submit the proposal to the Administrative Heads for approval. A two-thirds majority would be required to authorize the preparation of a proposal for a new NEREAP. The sponsor would serve as the initiating administrative advisor. The institutions voting for the preparation of a proposal would be obligated to provide financial support for the representatives from their institution to attend the first meetings of the committee. The research, extension and academic program administrators at each LGU will be involved in identifying the most appropriate faculty or professional representative/s from each institution for the committee.
  2. 2. At the first meeting of the committee to write, a proposal for the creation of the NEREAP would be developed. This proposal should clearly articulate the critical issue that the committee will address. The proposal should explain how the proposed activity would address one of the regional priorities of the Northeast Land Grant Universities. The proposal should describe the expected outcome and include a timetable for completion of the activity. The timetable should include a list of milestones that will be monitored by the Administrative Advisor. The rationale for cross-functional participation should be established.
  3. 3. When the NEREAP has been approved, the Northeast Administrative Heads Section will appoint an administrative advisor. The administrative advisor will report to the extension, research, and academic program administrators, CARET delegates, and administrative heads at the summer meeting. The progress toward completion of the milestones will be included in the report. The NEREAP will be dismissed when the project is completed. A NEREAP is not to be used as a discussion group. The group comes together with a specific purpose, for a limited term, with an expected outcome.