Department of Geography and Geology -- Strategic Plan, 2001-2006

II. Distinctiveness

The Department of Geography and Geology is the only one of its kind in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and it holds the largest concentration of earth scientists in the state.

The Department is strategically located near Mammoth Cave National Park, along the 31W Heritage Corridor, and near important coal resources. Its location offers significant research advantages.

The Department has the only program in the United States with a specific emphasis on karst hydrogeology and on the numerous problems associated with development upon karst terrain.

This is the only department in the Commonwealth with a curriculum in atmospheric science, and it is the only department on campus with three Programs of Distinction (The Kentucky Climate Center, the Center for Cave and Karst Studies, and the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute through the Center for Water Resource Studies).

Faculty are diverse in training and research interests, yet provide an integrative approach to human-earth issues that spans the human and physical sciences. Several faculty are internationally respected as experts in their research areas.

The Department's unique focus on the spatial dynamics of human-earth relationships provides an analytical perspective not offered by any other discipline on campus.

The Department's history of successful programs in city and regional planning, environmental management, and geologic sciences places it in a unique position to integrate business, community, academic, and governmental approaches to addressing human-environment issues.

The Department's expertise in spatial and geologic analysis gives it a distinct advantage in teaching, developing, and promoting GIS (Geographical Information Science) approaches to problem solving.

The Department is distinctive in providing professional public service through the State Climatologist and the Kentucky Climate Center, through its weather information broadcasts from the College Heights Weather Station, and through the Center for Cave and Karst Studies that addresses karst-related environmental problems.

The Department is internationally recognized for its well-marketed and high-quality summer research programs at Mammoth Cave National Park that address environmental problems associated with development on the karst terrain.

The Department is distinctive in the University for its long history of successful professional public service related to human-environment issues in the local community, the Commonwealth, nationally, and internationally.

B. Opportunities for Distinctiveness

The Programs of Distinction offer opportunities for distinctiveness in research and service contributions to the university and community through student research, internships, and specialized courses.

The Department plans to develop a distinctive curriculum that is focused on an integrated approach to addressing human-environment issues and problems.

The Department is poised to become a leader of distinction in applying geotechniques to development strategies and policy formation.

The Department has the potential to create a distinctive self-supporting center for GIS analysis, which would be unique in the region.

The Department has the potential to develop the Commonwealth's only graduate program in Geoscience that takes a distinctive, interdisciplinary, integrative approach to human-environment research.

The Department has the potential to become a major focus for pre-service and in-service teacher training in the Geosciences.

The Department has the potential to become a distinctive destination for visiting groups of regional science students at the K-12 levels.

Through development of the Heritage Corridor Research Initiative, faculty and students can promote the concept of "Intelligent Development Solutions" in the region and engage K-12 teachers, students, and local officials in distinctive sustainable development programs.

III. Limitations

The Department's ability to provide instruction in cutting-edge techniques is severely limited by an extremely poor operating budget. Key components of the operating budget have not increased meaningfully in over twenty years. This limitation conflicts with the University's strategic goal #1 -- to increase student learning. Solution: Increase the Department’s operating budget by 15 percent annually over the next five years.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No additional operating funds have been provided.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Operating budgets were increased during the 2004-2005 academic year. The Department still requires a 5% increase annually over the next five years to achieve its operational goals.

Incoming students generally are poorly prepared to handle the rigors of the Geography and Geology curriculum. This conflicts with the University's strategic goal #2 -- to develop student excellence. Solution: Require geoscience instruction for teacher certification and encourage K-12 teachers to develop geoscience curricula.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Minimal progress has been made to date.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress in Earth Science and with the introduction of a national AP test in Human Geography.

The University consistently has failed to provide adequate faculty and staff and continues to appropriate budgeted faculty salary dollars for non-departmental uses. This limitation conflicts with the University's strategic goals # 3 and 5 -- to assure high quality faculty and staff and to improve institutional effectiveness. Solution: Fully staff the Department based on the faculty lines budgeted for the Department and invest unused salary dollars in Departmental improvements.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No change in University policy vis-a-vis "lapsed" salary funds has occurred.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - The Department has benefited from additional salary funds to hire three new faculty since 2003. The "lapsed" salary issue remains unresolved.

The University has allowed the physical plant of the Department (building, environment, public spaces, etc.) to deteriorate to the point where students are physically uncomfortable as they attempt to learn. This limitation conflicts with the University's strategic goal #1 -- to increase student learning. Solution: Repair the physical plant to an acceptable level of operating comfort and efficiency.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No repairs to the physical plant have occurred to date.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - No repairs to the physical plant have occurred.

The University limits the ability of the Department to excel in teaching, research, and service by failing to provide adequate faculty support. This conflicts with the University's strategic goals #3 and 4 -- to recruit and retain high quality faculty and to enhance responsiveness to constituents. Solution: Allocate $15,000 annually to the Department for teaching, research, and service support.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No additional funds have been provided.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some additional funds to support faculty professional development have been allocated. The Department remains at 50% of actual need in this area.

The Department continues to be severely limited in its ability to recruit and retain quality faculty, particularly women and under-represented groups, because of poor recruitment planning strategies by the University. This conflicts with the University's strategic goal #3 -- to recruit and retain high quality faculty. Solution: Prepare staffing plan in May (i.e. 2002) for the following academic year (i.e. positions to commence August 2003), begin recruitment in August (i.e. 2002), and have hiring decisions completed by January (i.e. 2003).
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Marginal improvement in recruiting timetable.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Little improvement in recruiting timetable, or in timely staffing plan approvals.

The Department's ability to recruit outstanding graduate students is severely limited by the inadequate library facilities at Western. Continuing cuts in the periodical budgets are particularly devastating, as academic journals are the lifeblood of advanced undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research. This conflicts with the University's strategic goal # 2 -- to develop student excellence and diversity. Solution: Restore the library’s periodical budget for geoscience journals to an adequate level.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No improvement in periodical budget to date.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - The Department continues to suffer from inadequate library resources.

The University further limits the ability of the Department to recruit outstanding graduate students because of its embarrassingly low graduate stipends and its failure to provide tuition remission for graduate fellows. This conflicts with the University's strategic goal #2 -- to develop student excellence and diversity. Solution: Increase graduate stipends 15 percent annually over the next five years to reach benchmark, and provide graduate fellows a tuition waiver.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Graduate stipends were increased to a minimum of $7,000 annually effective Fall 2003.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Marginal gains were made due to increased reliance on grant and contract funds. Graduate stipends at $9,000 per academic year. Potential tuition waiver is under discussion.

Faculty teaching loads remain high and emphasize introductory level courses. This is driven by the administration's desire for a high FTE/ faculty ratio (efficiency), yet conflicts with the University's desire to promote smaller class sizes and to retain increasing numbers of students. Large class sizes also conflict with the desire for an emphasis on active learning environments. This situation conflicts with all five of the University's strategic goals. Solution: Reduce faculty teaching loads where appropriate, reduce class sizes where appropriate, and promote quality not quantity as the hallmark of excellence in education.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Some progress has been made in reducing overall class sizes.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Overall faculty teaching loads have been reduced and class sizes have been slightly reduced. A new 100-seat theatre-style classroom is in development for the EST complex.

The University does an adequate job of tracking alumni for the Department, yet Alumni Affairs has not developed a specific fund-raising program for the Department. This conflicts with the University's strategic goal #5 to enhance institutional effectiveness. Solution: Institute a Department-specific program for alumni data management and fund-raising.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Some progress has been made.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress in this area. Improvements in the flow of alumni giving have been achieved.

The University's campus recruiters do not speak specifically about the Department's programs. This conflicts with the University's strategic goal #2 -- to develop the student body. Solution: Develop a specific marketing strategy for campus recruiters that includes the Department.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Some progress has been made.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress in this area, especially with GIS and Earth Science.

B. Departmental Limitations:

The Department has insufficient technology to deliver adequately its curriculum. Solution: Develop a fully maintained computer lab, a GIS technology center, and appropriate laboratories for geoscience courses.

UPDATE April 2002: A GIS technology lab, in conjunction with Agriculture and AMS, opened in January 2002 and is now training the first group of GIS students. A dedicated university-wide graduate student computer lab has been dedicated in EST 345 and will be fully operational in Fall 2002.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Both the GIS lab and the graduate-student computer lab are fully operational.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional computing resources are needed for teaching and research.

The Department is severely understaffed in terms of the faculty/FTE ratio desired by the University and in terms of the students’ demand for more appropriate courses. Solution: Hire two additional faculty; one in environmental geology and geoscience and the second in cultural geography and technology.

UPDATE April 2002: A GIS Technician/Instructor is being recruited to help develop the capabilities of the GIS lab and will take over the lab on July 1, 2002. Requests for additional teaching faculty were denied by the Provost.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - A full-time instructor in Geology was hired effective Fall 2003 to help promote the geology major. A full-time instructor for the Glasgow campus was hired effective Fall 2003. A full-time tenure-track assistant professor position was filled effective Fall 2003 (Environment and Geomorphology). Position has been given to advertise a full-time, tenure-track GIS position for Fall 2004.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional faculty members in Meteorology and in Planning have been hired to strengthed those programs. A need still exists for at least two additional geology faculty and two meteorology faculty for program enhancement.

The curriculum has not changed quickly enough to meet the new demands of students and employers. Solution: Restructure the undergraduate and graduate curricula to meet the needs of contemporary society.

UPDATE April 2002: A complete restructuring of the Graduate and Undergraduate geography curricula has been completed and becomes effective in Fall 2002. During the Fall semester, a complete review of the Geology curriculum will take place.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - The geology program update remains uncompleted, but is scheduled for Spring 2004.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - The new geology curriculum became effective Fall 2005, although the administration placed a caveat on the new BA geology programs as it attempts to codify the difference between a BA and BS degree. Other program revisions are in development.

The Department has taken an ad hoc approach to management and has been reactive in addressing its needs. Solution: Develop a long-term strategic plan that is proactive and develop six permanent workgroups to facilitate the ongoing efficient management of the Department.

UPDATE April 2002: The six permanent workgroups have met several times during the academic year and have made progress in identifying action items.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 -- the workgroups were disbanded, and ad hoc groups are now being formed as needed. All faculty were given the opportunity to participate in the creation of the 2006-2011 strategic plan commencing Fall 2005.

The Department has a limited budget for enhancing student research and other learning activities. Solution: Develop additional monies through grants and service contracts; request that the University allocate $3,000 annually to the Department specifically for student field-based activities (conferences, field trips, etc.).

UPDATE April 2002: The University has failed to provide additional unrestricted operating funds to help developed student-centered learning activities. However, competitive and restricted funds for certain types of activities have been identified by way of CPE Action Agenda funds. The Department received support from these funds to help construct the new GIS facility. Support from grants and contracts has increased over the past 12 months and funds from these sources have been used to support student attendance at conferences.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No additional operating funds have been provided to the Department to date.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional operating funds have been allocated to the Department. In addition, the university has allocated at least $100,000 to support Study Abroad programs and initiatives.

The faculty have limited time and expertise to develop marketing and promotion materials. Solution: Utilize the resources of Sponsored Programs, the College, and other divisions to develop adequate marketing and promotion materials.

UPDATE April 2002: Some progress has been made in developing marketing and promotion materials. The Department is developing a multimedia Powerpoint presentation to market its capabilities and activities.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress has been made on developing marketing material.

The Department is unable to maintain adequately its computer technology because of limited expertise and inadequate budgets. Solution: Hire a permanent full-time technology manager who can maintain the computer labs and GIS technology center (about $50,000 annually). This position should become self-supporting in five years.

UPDATE April 2002: The Department has hired a part-time technician to help address student and faculty technology needs and to maintain departmental equipment. The Department has received permission to hire a full-time GIS Technician/Instructor to manage the GIS lab effective July 1, 2002.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - The Department has two part-time student workers effective Fall 2003. The Department has a full-time GIS lab manager/instructor effective Fall 2002.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - No change in this situation. The Department needs a full-time temporary computer technician and it needs full-time temporary lab managers.

The Department relies almost exclusively on lower-division service classes to recruit majors and minors. This promotes the continuance of large service courses and limits the ability of faculty to develop more meaningful and appropriate courses. Solution: Develop a diversified plan for student recruitment, reduce the number of large service courses, and develop appropriate courses that will attract more students to the Department.

UPDATE April 2002: The number and size of lower-division service courses have been reduced, new courses have been proposed or are in development that could attract new students, and new initiatives to recruit students from high schools are in development.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - New, 1-credit hour recruitment courses have been developed to help attract majors.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - New initiatives in geology, GIS, and meteorology have seen a solid upsurge in majors and minors over the past three years.

The ability of the Department to grow has been limited by a lack of understanding by administrators, politicians, and others of the critical importance of geoscience in education and in the community. Solution: Develop a long-term plan to promote the value and importance of the Department’s curriculum to all constituents.

UPDATE April 2002: The education plan, including a Powerpoint presentation, is in development. The Department has taken a more aggressive approach in disseminating information to administrators and the media that promote the Department's activities and achievements.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - An aggressive marketing and promotion campaign has resulted in wider acknowledgment of the strengths of the Department and student engagement in a variety of research and other learning activities.

Geology students can graduate with all the academic credentials required for eventual professional registration at the state and national levels.

Research opportunities are available in the Programs of Distinction and in the research initiatives of the Department.

Students have the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest within the Department based on organized "tracks."

The Department provides courses that focus on an integrative approach to addressing human-environment issues.

The Department has a good record of developing student internships in a variety of research, government, and business environments.

The Department has taken advantage of its location on karst terrain to develop programs in cultural geography, physical geography, and geology that take an interdisciplinary approach to environmental analysis.

The Department has developed six workgroups to address the planning and management needs of the program. These workgroups have student members as well as faculty, so the Department clearly understands and is responsive to the needs of students.

B. Overall Weaknesses/Problems:

The current curriculum is inadequate to meet the current demands of students and employers. Solution: Restructure the curriculum for both undergraduate and graduate students.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Complete undergraduate (geography) and graduate program restructuring has occurred. Geology undergraduate program restructuring should be complete by Spring 2004.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Curricula enhancements became effective Fall 2005.

The Department has inadequate technology to meet the technical demands of students and employers. Solution: Develop a new computer lab with cutting-edge hardware and software ($200,000), and a GIS Production center with cutting-edge hardware and software ($100,000).
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - The new GIS lab has been in operation since summer 2002. A dedicated graduate-student computer lab is in operation, and a specialized lab for graduate and undergraduate students conducting research in the Department is now operational.

Students generally cannot graduate in four years (graduates, two years) because the Department has insufficient faculty to offer all the required courses on a regular basis. Solution: Hire two additional faculty to provide specialized courses for majors and minors.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Two full-time instructors were added effective Fall 2003 (one dedicated to the Glasgow campus) and permission has been received to advertise a tenure-track GIS position for Fall 2004.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - An additional meteorology faculty was hired in August 2005 and a new planning faculty member commences August 2006.

Many of the Department's lower-division service courses are too large to facilitate an interactive, problem-based approach to learning. Solution: Reduce lower-division courses to a maximum of 40 students.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Lower-division courses have been reduced to an average of 45 students, with the largest class 60 students.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - A 100-seat classroom has been introduced into the rotation, with other classroom capacities reduced.

The curriculum of upper-division courses is highly diverse and in need of better integration. Solution: Restructure upper-division course offerings to emphasize higher-level content and technology that are integrated into relevant and attractive program tracks.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - The geography undergraduate curriculum has been revised.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Program revisions are ongoing.

Faculty interests, both topical and research, are diverse and often poorly connected. Solution: Integrate faculty interests through active involvement in the Programs of Distinction and the research centers.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Discussions are proceeding on ways to integrate or merge more effectively the Department's disparate interests (see graphic on this issue).
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress has been made in identifying areas of commonality.

The Department is limited in its ability to offer instruction using cutting-edge technology, which reduces the effectiveness of the programs. Solution: Develop two smart classrooms (a geology/physical geography room and a cultural geography room) equipped with desk workstations, interactive faculty management tools, web links, and GIS software ($250,000 each).
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No progress on this need.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Little progress on this need, although several classrooms have been rehabilitated.

The physical design and layout of classrooms do not provide an attractive learning environment for students. Solution: Modernize the classrooms, redesign the seating in theater style, provide ports for laptops, and improve the aesthetics of classrooms.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No progress on this need.
UPDATE MAY 2005 - No progess on this issue, although a new 100-seat theatre-style classroom has been approved for the EST complex.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Renovations have occurred in EST 337 and 328, with other rooms scheduled for renovation in coming years.

The non-thesis option in the Geoscience Master's program weakens the graduate experience academically. Solution: Eliminate the non-thesis option and develop a research-based, publishable-paper approach to graduate studies.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Geoscience program requirements restructured effective Fall 2002. Non -thesis option changed.

The Graduate Program has been technologically and methodologically weak and did not prepare students adequately for the demands of the market-place. Solution: Provide state-of-the-art learning technologies and engage students in activities that develop critical thinking and research skills.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Geoscience graduate program restructured effective Fall 2002.

C. Assessment of Major State, National, and International Trends Impacting Departmental Programs.

The key trend in the geosciences is the adoption of GIS technologies in most fields of potential employment for our program graduates. Strategy: Develop a GIS Certificate program, a 24-hour minor in GIS technologies, and incorporate basic GIS strategies into key areas of the curriculum.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Completed effective Fall 2002.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - A new 12-hour Graduate GIS certificate is now available.

Many graduate programs around the country are moving towards a greater level of integration between the physical and human sciences. Strategy: Develop an integrated geoscience curriculum for the graduate program.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Completed effective Fall 2002.

Applied research is emerging as a significant factor in the student learning process. Strategy: Develop a curriculum that links each student to one of the Department’s Programs of Distinction or research centers and promote applied research activities as a key element of the student’s education.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - In progress - some changes have been made to the curriculum.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - In progress. Curriculum revisions are ongoing.

The Council on Post-Secondary Education in Kentucky has targeted programs that do not meet an artificial "production of graduates" quota for elimination. This has a potentially negative impact on the Geology program. Strategy: Continue to build the program, recruit more majors, develop a greater awareness of the importance of a geology curriculum at Western, and enhance the program through curriculum improvements.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Some progress has been made.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - A new curriculum in geology that offers BA and BS options has generated additional enrollment.

A growing trend towards increased globalization and integration of the regional, national, and international economies requires that the Department develop courses appropriate to the demands created by this trend. Strategy: Restructure the undergraduate and graduate programs to reflect this globalization trend.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Both the undergraduate (geography) and graduate curricula have been restructured effective Fall 2002. The geology curriculum is scheduled for a revision by Spring 2004.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Curriculum revisions are ongoing. A new BS Meteorology program is in development.

The introduction in August 2001 of an Advanced Placement Test in Human Geography may provide a larger pool of better-prepared students as potential majors and minors. Strategy: Identify schools in the region that offer the AP test, work closely with high school teachers, and develop specific recruitment plans for the Department’s programs.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - No significant progress.

Growth in the demand by K-12 teachers for advanced training in the geosciences provides an opportunity for the Department to enhance its Geoscience Master’s Program to meet this demand. Strategy: Identify areas of increased demand, design specific courses to meet this demand, and recruit potential students.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Increased enrollment in Fall 2003 driven more by a soft economy than by successful recruitment strategies. However, improvements to the curriculum have helped to recruit students.

UPDATE April 2002: Completed (geography).
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Geology program review completed, with a BS and BA option available.

Goal 2. Develop an appropriate curriculum for the Graduate Geoscience program that integrates faculty research and teaching interests. Achievement Measure: Specific tracks with course requirements identified, appropriate course changes approved by the various Department, College, and University committees, and the new program in place for the 2003-2005 catalog.

UPDATE April 2002: Completed.

Goal 3. Provide appropriate technologies to enhance critical thinking and research skills in students. Achievement Measure: A state-of-the art GIS laboratory, equipped with ArcView and other appropriate hardware and software, is put in place during the 2001-2002 academic year.

UPDATE April 2002: Completed Spring 2002.

Goal 4. Link all program majors to a research activity centered in the Department's Programs of Distinction and/or its research initiatives. Achievement Measure: Ten percent of all majors engaged in a research project by Fall 2002, 25 percent by Fall 2003, 50 percent by Fall 2004, 75 percent by Fall 2005, and 100 percent by Fall 2006.

UPDATE April 2002: Approximately 5 percent of our majors are currently engaged in a research project.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No significant increases in this category.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - A curriculum revision for geography will require, commencing Fall 2007, that all majors have a research, internship, thesis, or study abroad experience as part of their program.

Goal 5. Reduce the FTE/faculty instruction ratio to the Ogden College average, resulting in smaller classes and better-integrated instruction for students. Achievement Measure: The Department has reduced its FTE/faculty ratio from 150 percent of the Ogden College average in 2000-2001 to the College average in 2005-2006. This requires a reduction of about 10 percent per annum.

UPDATE April 2002: On target for reduction.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Department is approximately 105% of Ogden College average for Fall 2003.

Goal 6. Provide a comfortable and conducive environment for instructional activities. Achievement Measure: Classrooms are properly air-conditioned, students have comfortable seats and/or desks, and the facilities are maintained adequately. Complete during the 2001-2002 academic year.

UPDATE April 2002: No significant progress to date. Facilities Management is not cooperating.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No significant progress. Facilities continue to deteriorate.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Renovations have occurred to EST 337 and 328.

Goal 7. Provide student support for field trips, external research activities, and conference attendance, which will enhance the student learning experience. Achievement Measure: University has enhanced the Department budget for student instruction by adding $3,000 annually commencing in Fall 2001.

UPDATE April 2002: No progress. The Administration has failed to increase basic operating budgets.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No additional funds provided.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional funds have been provided in the operating budget. The Department is still below 50% of actual need.

Goal 8. Improve the attendance and participation of undergraduates at local, regional, and national conferences. Achievement Measure: Each undergraduate student participates in at least one conference during program residency. Achievement is contingent upon adequate funding by the University for this goal.

UPDATE April 2002: Some progress this academic year, but no funds have been forthcoming from the administration to increase operating budgets.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No additional funds provided. Student support increased by drawing from WKU Foundation funds provided by alumni.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional funds have been provided, and more students are participating in local, regional, and national conferences.

Goal 9. Increase the participation rate of undergraduates in international research and study experiences. Achievement Measure: At least one-quarter of the Department's majors has studied or conducted research internationally by June 2006.

UPDATE April 2002: On target. The Department is taking 21 students to Australia in July 2002 as part of its new study abroad initiative.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Three new programs for study abroad are developed for 2003-2004, including a Spring Break course in the Bahamas (Geology) and a summer program in Britain.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - The Department has a fully operational annual study abroad program, with 76 students participating up through June 2006. Programs are in development for 2007 and 2008.

Goal 10. Develop a series of team-taught courses that facilitates an interdisciplinary approach to human-environment issues. Achievement Measure: By academic year 2002-2003, at least two major courses are team-taught each academic year.

UPDATE April 2002: The graduate core courses will be team-taught effective Fall 2002. Other team-taught courses are in development.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Progress has slowed on this initiative due to inadequate staffing.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - No significant progress on this initiative.

B. Research

Goal 1. Provide research opportunities for Department majors and graduate students through the Programs of Distinction and the research initiatives. Achievement Measure: Ten percent of students engaged in a research project by Fall 2002, 25 percent by Fall 2003, 50 percent by Fall 2004, 75 percent by Fall 2005, and 100 percent by Fall 2006.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Progress has been slow on this goal due to inadequate staffing.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress as additional funds have been provided to support student research.

Goal 2. Focus greater attention on research themes and opportunities in the Department's service area through an integrated approach to human-earth issues. Achievement Measure: Establishment of the Heritage Corridor Research Initiative during the 2001-2002 academic year and the development of programs to address sustainable development issues during subsequent years.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Heritage Corridor initiative is underway, with a website developed.

Goal 3. Increase faculty research productivity. Achievement Measure: By Fall 2002, all full-time, tenure-track faculty members have a maximum semester course load of 9 credit hours, with research assignment time amounting to 3 credit hours per semester.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Achieved.

Goal 4. Increase University financial support for faculty research activities. Achievement Measure: By the 2002-2003 academic year, the University has established a research seed-money pool of $15,000 for faculty members to draw from in the initial stages of their research. Additional funds will be generated by external research grants and contracts.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No funds provided.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some additional travel funds have bbeen provided to the Department's annual budget.

Goal 5. Double the participation rate of faculty in international research experiences over the next five years. Achievement Measure: The majority of faculty members have had at least one international research experience by June 2006.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - On schedule for achieving the goal.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - progress is being made.

Goal 6. Increase faculty research grants and external funding applications. Achievement Measure: By the 2002-2003 academic year, the Department has identified specific external funding opportunities, and by the 2005-2006 academic year the number of grant proposals submitted has increased by 50 percent over the 2000-2001 academic year.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - On schedule to achieve this goal.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Achieved and exceeded - with grants in excess of $4 million obtained for 2006-2007.

C. Public Service

Goal 1. Develop the Heritage Corridor Research Initiative as a public service and to promote "Intelligent Development Solutions" for the region's human-environment problems. Achievement Measure: The Heritage Corridor Research Initiative is fully operational by May 2002, with students and faculty contributing to research on sustainable development issues.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Heritage Corridor initiative is underway, with a website developed.

Goal 2. Enhance the relationship between the Department and K-12 institutions in terms of curriculum development, service training, and geoscience education. Achievement Measure: Relationships between the Department and K-12 institutions have improved, a contact list of geoscience teachers is developed, service training needs have been identified, and graduate courses in geoscience education are developed by Fall 2002.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress.

Goal 3. Explore the feasibility of developing an annual Geography Bowl competition for area junior high and high school students that would promote geography and the geosciences. Achievement Measure: Feasibility study completed during the 2001-2002 academic year, with a contact list of potential schools developed.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Little progress.

Goal 4. Increase faculty public service productivity. Achievement Measure: By Fall 2002, all full-time, tenure-track faculty members have a maximum semester course load of 9 credit hours, with research assignment time amounting to 3 credit hours per semester, allowing for mopre public service activity.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Goal achieved.

Goal 5. Increase University support for faculty public service activities. Achievement Measure: By the 2002-2003 academic year, the University has established a load-reassignment policy to support faculty members who engage in meritorious public service.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Goal achieved at the Department level.

Goal 6. Develop further the Lost River Cave public service project through the Center for Cave and Karst Studies, with greater linkage to the community and K-12 students and teachers. Achievement Measure: Increased visits to the Lost River Cave project each academic year compared to previous years, and new projects identified and in process for K-12 students and teachers.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Goal partially achieved.

D. Faculty Development

Goal 1. Develop written guidelines for the Department's Tenure and Promotion policies. Achievement Measure: Policy approved and in place for the 2001-2002 academic year.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Goal achieved. Policy revised and updated effective July 1, 2003, and 2005.

Goal 2. Increase the Department's operating budget by 15 percent annually over the next five years to facilitate faculty development through workshops, conferences, field trips, and student-based research activities. Achievement Measure: The Department's operating budget is increased by 15 percent annually between 2001 and 2006. Faculty have become more productive as measured by specific performance indicators.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No new funds have been forthcoming.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional funds have been received, but the department is still budgeted significantly below its needs.

Goal 3. Develop the concept of Departmental Citizenship, whereby faculty are fully engaged in the management and growth of the Department. Achievement Measure: Faculty each have been assigned to two of the six Departmental workgroups, with workgroup assignments rotating every academic year. Workgroup system is fully in place by the 2001-2002 academic year.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Goal achieved. Ad hoc committees are meeting and contributing to Department administration.

Goal 4. Increase University financial support for faculty development. Achievement Measure: By the 2002-2003 academic year, the University has established a development support pool of $15,000 for faculty members to engage in meritorious faculty development projects. Additional funds will be generated by external research grants and contracts.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - No new funds have been forthcoming.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Additional funds have been budgeted.

Goal 5. Increase faculty productivity in teaching, research, and public service activities. Achievement Measure: By Fall 2002, all full-time, tenure-track faculty members have a maximum semester course load of 9 credit hours, with research assignment time amounting to 3 credit hours per semester.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Goal achieved.

Goal 6. Bring all faculty members to a satisfactory level of engagement with new technology. Achievement Measure: Schedule implemented by Fall 2002 for regular in-house and external training workshops, ranging from simple to advanced techniques.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress made.

Goal 7. Increase the diversity of faculty and staff. Achievement Measure: A program is in place to seek out and recruit qualified female and under-represented candidates through informal networks and at national conferences. Diversity of the faculty body shows meaningful improvement over the five-year period of this strategic plan. Attainment is contingent upon the University supplying adequate recruitment resources and lead times to identify qualified candidates.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Little progress made.

Goal 8. Achieve disciplinary benchmark parity in salary, benefits, and conditions for all faculty and staff. Achievement Measure: Achieve a progressive increase over Departmental benchmarks for funding years 1 through 5 respectively to attain 100% of benchmark by June 2006. Attainment of this goal is contingent upon adequate University funding.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Little progress made.

Goal 9. Double the participation rate of faculty in international teaching and research experiences over the next five years. Achievement Measure: Every faculty member has had at least one international teaching and/or research experience by June 2006.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress made.

Goal 10. Improve the morale of the faculty each year in terms of improvements in working conditions, benefits, and job satisfaction. Achievement Measure: Significant, measurable annual progress has been made on addressing the goals enunciated in this strategic plan.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Some progress made.

E. Graduate Program

Goal 1. Develop an appropriate curriculum for the Graduate Geoscience program that integrates faculty research and teaching interests. Achievement Measure: Specific tracks with course requirements identified, appropriate course changes approved by the various Department, College, and University committees, and the new program in place for the 2003-2005 catalog.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Goal achieved.

Goal 2. Develop a research-based, publishable-paper approach to the graduate program and restructure the non-thesis option. Achievement Measure: Graduate students are fully engaged in meaningful research projects that lead to publication. In place by Fall 2003.
UPDATE OCT 2003 - Goal achieved.

Goal 3. Enhance the scope of the Graduate program by engaging all graduate faculty in mentoring, supervision, and program development. Achievement Measure: All graduate faculty are engaged with graduate students in interdisciplinary work that leads to a publishable paper. Geology faculty particularly are fully engaged in graduate-level super-vision and course development. In place by Fall 2003.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Goal partially achieved.

Goal 4. Develop a national and international graduate recruitment program, including a brochure highlighting research opportunities in the geosciences. Achievement Measure: A graduate brochure is designed and completed during the 2001-2002 academic year. A strategic mailing list identified and contact made with potential institutions.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - No significant progress towards this goal.

Goal 5. Develop better technology resources for graduate-student research. Achievement Measure: A new graduate-only computer lab is placed in operation during the 2001-2002 academic year. Technology resources that include workstations and GIS software are put in place during the 2001-2002 academic year.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Goal achieved.

Goal 6. Require the attendance and participation of graduate students at local, regional, and national conferences. Achievement Measure: Each graduate student participates in at least one conference during program residency. Achievement is contingent upon adequate funding by the University for this goal.
UPDATE JUNE 2006 - Goal partially achieved.