Attachment 1 to SAC minutes of 8/19/2005

To: Buck Sharpton

Susan Henrichs

Douglas Causey

Brendan Kelly

Mike Castellini

George Happ

Beth Benner

CC: Pat Ivey for Faculty Alliance

Provosts

President’s Cabinet

Subj: Postdoctoral programs at the University of Alaska

Over the last several months, the Research Working Group at UAF and the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at UAA have been examining postdoc status and programs at the university. The general conclusion is that our programs do not meet best practices from the standpoints of hiring, supervision, training, stewardship, classification, salary, benefits, transition to other positions within the university, and many other criteria of importance both to the postdoctoral scholars and to the faculty with whom they work. Given the importance of postdocs to the academic enterprise, and the competitive climate for attracting the best candidates, the Provosts and I believe that it is important that our deficiencies be identified and rectified.

Accordingly, I request that under the chairmanship of Buck Sharpton you form a subcommittee reporting to the RAC, to recommend modifications to our existing practices regarding postdocs. While some aspects the program may have to be tailored to meet the needs of the various MAUs and units and to reflect differences among academic disciplines, the basic guidelines and practices should be consistent throughout the system. One constraint on your recommendations is that postdocs remain members of the bargaining unit as currently defined.

Our discussion at the 19 August 2005 SAC meeting indicated that it would be highly desirable to have a completely redefined and implemented program in time to enhance recruitment for the next academic year. However, it appears that many beneficial changes can be implemented incrementally, and this should commence as soon as possible. Please ensure appropriate faculty, postdoc, and staff involvement in your deliberations.

Craig Dorman

Attachment 2 to SAC minutes of 8/19

To:

Karen Perdue

Lauren Bruce

Oscar Kawagley

Rick Caulfield

Vicki Orazem

From:  Craig Dorman

President Hamilton has authorized the allocation of $200K of FY06 BP ConocoPhillips funds for the initiation of a program to support faculty and staff development.  This initiative was motivated by discussions about the importance of supporting University faculty and staff who already have their Masters degrees to obtain PhDs, although other types of support may also be warranted.

Lauren, Oscar, Rick and Vicki have been nominated by their Provosts to serve on a SAC subcommittee, to be chaired by Karen Perdue, to recommend to SAC the parameters of such a program, to include such issues as priorities, selection procedures, and types and magnitude of support.  I believe that one constraint should be to maintain commitment to a faculty or staff member who commences a PhD or similar terminal degree program, for a period sufficiently long to enable successful completion; duration of support in turn has obvious implications for the number of people who can be supported, and the nature and magnitude of support.  You may agree or disagree with my opinion on this matter, and suggest other constraints.  Your recommendations should consider out year costs at a range of levels, albeit as you know the BP ConocoPhillips funds can not support significant growth of this or any other program  (and their continuity is not guaranteed), and you will thus need to consider contingencies and other approaches to funding, should the program prove successful.

I hope you will be willing to undertake this important but challenging task. Your subcommittee may elect to add a few additional members or seek advice from faculty and staff as appropriate.  I would appreciate a report on your initial deliberations in early October.

Thanks in advance for your efforts,

Craig Dorman