NERA

Northeastern Regional Association
of
State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors Meeting

Marriott Hotel, Peabody, Massachusetts
July 11-12, 2005

Minutes

Jeff Seemann, Chair

In attendance:
Seemann, Jeffrey (RI), Chair
J. Scott Angle (MD)
Margaret Brennan (NJ)
Tom Burr (NYG)
Keith Cooper (NJ)
Thomas Fretz (NERA)
Robert Goodman (NJ)
Steve Goodwin (MA)
Ian Hart (CTS)
Reginal Harrell (MD)
Diane Hyman (DC)
Kirklyn Kerr (CTS)
Anna Palmisano (CSREES)
Steve Reiling (ME)
Kirby Stafford III (CTNH)
William Trumble (NH)
Michael Vayda (VT)
William Vinson (WV)
Michael Voiland (NYC)
G. Bruce Wiersma (ME)
Gloria Wyche-Moore (DC)
Rubie Mize (NERA), Recorder

MAJOR DECISIONS

THE JOB JAR

(Work Assignments for the Executive Director)

July 11, 2005

  1. Welcome and Introductions - Chair Jeff Seemann
    Chair Seemann called the meeting to order. Each director gave a brief station update. Chair Seemann congratulated J. Scott Angle on his appointment as new dean at the University of Georgia's College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences effective August 15. Reginal Harrell was introduced as the interim station director for Maryland. He also welcomed Dr. Robert Goodman, Executive Dean and Director, Rutgers-Cook College, . It was also reported that G. Bruce Wiersma will step down as dean and director of Maine on June 30, 2006. Dan Decker will continue as station director for Cornell until September 2005.

  2. Agenda Modification (Additions/Deletions) and Approval - Chair Jeff Seemann
    CSREES liaison Anna Palmisano will give an update on CSREES.
    A motion was made to accept the draft agenda. The motion was seconded and passed.

  3. Approval of the March 2005 Minutes - Chair Jeff Seemann
    A motion was made to approve the minutes from the last meeting held on March 2-3, 2005 in Beltsville, MD. The motion was seconded and passed. The minutes are posted in the NERA homepage at this URL---
    http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/NERAMinutesMarch2005.html

  4. Review of Joint Session discussion and issues - Chair Jeff Seemann
    The first part of the Joint Session was used for presentations instead of the more important budget discussion. It maybe useful in the future to collect information and come back as a group with our recommendations. T. Fretz reminded the group that in last year's joint session, CARET wanted a demonstration of multistate collaborative work. However, it was uncertain whether the message was successfully delivered. It was important though to make CARET be part and have a voice in the process of developing the joint session agenda.

    The purpose of the presentations was to stimulate discussion on how we translate basic research to outreach to impacts. This may be achieved by talking about challenges, not examples, that have worked in the past to enable us to move forward.

    The presentations focussed on impact assessment. How we actually market ourselves to Congress relates to this morning's session. What message do we give our CARET representatives? There will be an opportunity to hear from CARET tomorrow.

    Within the current budget climate the need to create broader partnerships is critical. Questions were raised about the current state of LGU partnership with USDA. Is there really a partnership? Is partnership necessary? Institutions are able to get funding from other federal agencies without a so-called partnership and with less bureaucracy. There is also a need to find a way to bridge the gap between Research and Extension. None actually exists in institutional level, and some like Rutgers have been successful in creating a seamless environment between research and extension. We need to find a way to have closer relationships in a more collective manner and perhaps under one association. Is there sentiment to move in this direction?

    In reporting impacts, it will help a lot if we mention the source of funding, e.g. CSREES, grants, state-match, etc.

    CSREES liaison Anna Palmisano offered to bring to the CSREES Executive Committee ideas that the Northeast directors would like to convey. A comment was made on the Implementation Plan for the SAES Competitive Grants Program. Suggestions were made from the LGU system, but few appear to have been incorporated in the version that appeared for public comment. Why?
    http://www.csrees.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2005news/comments_saes.html

    How will the Plan of Work relate to the SAES competitive grants program if implemented? Has the electronic version of the new POW been beta tested and will there be problems with electronic interface?

    A comment was made about professional societies influencing decisions to cut Hatch funding. An example is the Microbiology Society which had indicated that they are supportive of the cut to formula funds if there is no other way of increasing competitive funds. Do these actions of professional societies have any effect?

    Anna Palmisano gave a brief update of recent developments at CSREES. Rodney Brown, deputy undersecretary has left CSREES. No replacement has been announced for Dr. Jen's position, so will most likely remain in his present position until Sept.-October. The process for selecting his replacement comes directly from the Secretary, so if there is any nomination from the system she suggested conveying such directly to the Secretary. A new RFA is coming out in August for NRI. Programs will be clustered much like NSF's. There has been no change in the issue of indirect costs as this seems to be unpopular in Congress. She welcomed any comments that the directors may have and expressed an interest in working more closely with NERA in relaying concerns to CSREES.

  5. Interim Actions by the Chair and Executive Committee Report - Chair Jeff Seemann
    Actions Taken by NERA Chair.pdf

    Chair Seemann noted and the directors agreed that there is merit in continuing the Northeast Multistate Research Award for Excellence. He urged the directors and advisors to nominate projects that they are associated with. NERA has been successful in nominating regional award winner for the USDA Secretary's Award. NERA staff can assist in putting the nomination together if the directors/advisors will help identify the project and initiate contact with the PIs.

  6. Executive Director's Job Jar Report and OED Accomplishments Report - Tom Fretz
    http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/July2005Meeting/JobJarReportJuly2005.pdf
    http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/July2005Meeting/AccomplishmentsReportJuly2005.htm

    Detailed information on the ED's report can be found on the above URLs. There are links provided to the reports and background documentation.

  7. Discussion of the Multistate Activities Committee Report - Bill Vinson
    MAC Chair Bill Vinson presented the MAC Report that was distributed earlier to the directors. Each item will be discussed in detail tomorrow.
    The report is posted at URL ---
    http://www.agnr.umd.edu/users/nera/workshop/MACReportJuly2005.html

    On the NIMSS user satisfaction survey, the MAC members have the following comments:


    The directors agreed that these comments should be shared with Nikki Nelson. However, it was noted that this survey will be a useful tool in measuring user satisfaction and determining what needs improvement in NIMSS. They were encouraged to participate in the survey particularly those who are frequent users of NIMSS in their stations.

  8. Comments from Chair before closing the day’s meeting - Chair Jeff Seemann
    Chair Seemann reminded everyone about the afternoon's social activities and asked them to make good use of the opportunity to network.

    The meeting adjourned for the day at 3:15pm.

    July 12, 2005 (NERA Meeting resumed at 10:30am after the Joint Session)

  9. Continue Discussion of Multistate Activities Committee Report – Bill Vinson

    A motion was made to accept MAC’s recommendations nos. 1 to 8, nos. 5 and 7 are for information only. The motion was seconded and approved.

    A proposal was made to terminate the Northeast Priorities Committee. The committee has not been active in recent years. The committee was charged to perform the tasks of the Multistate Priorities Committee that is defined in the NERA Rules of Operation. After reviewing the charge of this committee, it was determined that the Multistate Activities Committee can perform the task of identifying the priorities for the region, and in special circumstances an ad hoc committee can be formed.

    A motion was made to terminate the Northeast Priorities Committee and to revise the NERA Rules of Operation for consideration at the September meeting. The motion was seconded and passed.

  10. NRSP Review Committee Report - Keith Cooper
    Draft Minutes of NRSP Review Committee meeting May 25, 2005 in Bloomington, MN
    NRSP Project/Budget Reviews
    NRSP-RC Preliminary Budget Recommendations (6-1-05).pdf

    Keith Cooper explained that NRSP-4 has been successful in leveraging funds including federal and private, and hence there is no justification for the system to continue supporting it at the current level. The NERA directors, at the March meeting, approved a 12% annual decrease.

    A motion was made to reaffirm the level approved by NERA at the March meeting. FY06 off-the-top for NRSP-4 should be returned to $423,440. The motion was approved and seconded.

    Keith Cooper will share this decision with the NRSP Review Committee. Another issue that needs discussion is the manner with which motions are handled on the floor at the September ESS meeting. A clarification needs to be made on how a ‘simple majority’ is defined to allow discussion of a motion. It is clear that a ‘quorum’ is required to amend a motion. In addition, Tom Fretz will also raise the issue with the NRSP Review Committee that the two Executive Directors serving as members of the committee should not be allowed to vote.

  11. Nominations Committee Report and Elections - Jeff Seemann and Bill Trumble
    A motion was made to approve the above nominations. The motion was seconded and passed.

    The slate of NERA officers for 2006 will be elected by electronic ballot. The Comittee has yet to approach one of the nominees to confirm willingness and availability to serve.

  12. Resolutions Committee Report - Bill Trumble
    Bill Trumble read the resolutions as follows:

    Resolution of Appreciation to J. Scott Angle

    WHEREAS, Dr. J. Scott Angle has distinguished himself as Interim Executive Associate Dean and Director of the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service and the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, having joined the college in 1981, and the experiment station in 1994, and

    WHEREAS, Dr. J. Scott Angle has contributed in many ways to the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors (NERA), serving as Chair of the association, member of various committees, and Administrative Advisor for multistate projects: NEC-067, NE-1000, NEC-1007, and NRSP-1. Dr. Angle also served as the association’s liaison to the Northeast Center for Rural Development and the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Committee. Most importantly, Dr. Angle served as Acting Executive Director (Oct. 2002 to Sept. 2003) for the association after the untimely passing of the then Executive Director, Dr. David MacKenzie, and

    WHEREAS, Dr. J. Scott Angle distinguished himself in the national arena as an active member of the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP), and having served as Chair in 2003-2004. He was also a member of several ESCOP committees and more recently the Oversight Committee for the National Information Management and Support System (NIMSS). He was also recently appointed to the BAA Policy Board of Directors to represent ESCOP, and

    WHEREAS, Dr. J. Scott Angle has brought great honor not just to the Northeast region, but the entire nation as an internationally known soil scientist specializing in phytoremediation, and

    NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors meeting in Peabody, MA, on July 12, 2005, expresses its sincerest appreciation to Dr. J. Scott Angle for his many contributions, and wishes him much success and happiness in his future professional as well as personal activities.

    July 12, 2005

    signed

    Jeffrey Seemann, Chair
    Northeastern Regional Association of State
    Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

    Resolution of Appreciation to the Host Institution

    WHEREAS, the Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors participated in an important and productive meeting at the Boston Marriott Peabody Hotel, in Peabody, Massachusetts, and

    WHEREAS, the Directors also were involved in a joint meeting with deans of colleges, extension directors, administrative officers and CARET representatives from the Northeast Region on July 10-12, and

    WHEREAS, the Northeastern Experiment Station Directors enjoyed the Duck Tour and the lovely banquet at the Boston Museum of Science and the relaxing ambiance of the Boston Marriott Peabody Hotel and the surrounding area,

    NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Directors acknowledge their appreciation to Director Steve Goodwin and Patricia Devine Cromack for their efforts in making the meeting a great success and a very enjoyable experience.

    July 12, 2005

    signed

    Jeffrey Seemann, Chair
    Northeastern Regional Association of State
    Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

    The motion to approve the above resolutions was seconded and passed.

  13. Future Meeting Schedule - Tom Fretz

  14. Discussion of Federal Formula Funding and Other Issues- Chair Jeff Seemann
    Discussion on the federal formula funding was the subject in this morning's Joint Session. No additional comments were given at this meeting.

    On the semi-annual seminars, Kirk Kerr reported that the BAAPBD also endorsed the concept of the semi-annual seminars that will rotate among the four regions, but did not agree on increasing the assessment to cover the expenses. He also clarified that this is not part of BRT's contract and that only Fleishman-Hillard will conduct the seminars. The BAC will be responsible for managing this activity, and Fred Cholick reassured that topic selection and priority setting is in line with the Board's policies. Funding also has to be agreed upon by all the parties concerned. Fleishman-Hillard proposed that funding be approached differently. They will try getting some corporate sponsors, part to be funded by ESCOP and ECOP and the host institution is expected to cover a majpr portion of the total expense. The motions for the two seminars this year on Water Quality and Water Quantity are already on-going and will most likely happen. Next year will be the Northeast region's turn. This is why NERA should devote sometime to discuss this and if ESCOP is willing to commit to this activity in the long-term.

    ESCOP Memo Re-Semiannual Seminar Series
    PROSPECTUS: The Land-Grant University System—Leading the Way on Critical Issues

  15. Summary Comments and Closing by the Chair - Chair Jeff Seemann
    Chair Seemann thanked the hosts, Steve Goodwin and Patti Cromack, and thanked everyone for their thoughtful comments. He urged everyone to continue discussing the state of partnership, how this can be improved and how new partnerships can be developed. He closed by reminding the group that there is a joint working lunch with our extension counterparts on the "Challenges for Rural America in the Twenty-First Century" by David Brown and Leif Jensen.

    The meeting was adjourned at 11:45am.

     


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