Background Statement: In 1996, the Academic Senate reconfigured its subcommittees. From this process, the Research and Professional Development Committee was formed and given the charge to assist in the development of research policies for the campus. Faculty on this committee, over the past two years, began identifying barriers to research on campus through a campus wide survey, and has prepared recommendations for creating an environment that supports faculty efforts in their scholarly work.

WHEREAS,     Cal Poly is an institution known for its high quality of undergraduate education, where graduate
                          programs have traditionally played a small role and faculty teaching of undergraduates has been
                          the highest priority; and

WHEREAS,     The Cal Poly Strategic Plan outlines a greater emphasis on research and other scholarly activities
                          by faculty in the future; and

WHEREAS,     The Research and Professional Development Committee was formed by the Academic Senate and
                          given the charge to assist in the development of research and professional development policies for
                          the campus; and

WHEREAS,     The success of research and professional development on campus requires an investment of time by
                          faculty and students, allocation of space, and commitment of fiscal resources by the university
                          administration; and

WHEREAS,     The processes of teaching, discovery, integration, and application through research and creative
                          activities is crucial for the continued growth and development of a community of faculty and
                          student scholars; therefore be it

RESOLVED,     That research and other scholarly activities be a factor in assigning faculty work loads; and be it
                          further

RESOLVED,     That research and other scholarly activities be a factor in assigning faculty workspace, facilities,
                           and equipment without compromising the quality of undergraduate education; and be it further

RESOLVED,     That campus resource allocations include considerations of research and other scholarly
                           activities, without compromising the quality of undergraduate education; and be it further

RESOLVED,     That research programs and proposed development efforts be encouraged and supported; and
                           be it further

RESOLVED,     That scholarly activities be given consistent recognition in retention, tenure, and promotional
                          decisions at all levels of review; and be it further

RESOLVED,     That research opportunities be encouraged as a valuable component of undergraduate education;
                           and be it further

RESOLVED,     That graduate curricula be encouraged and developed, including funding for recruitment of
                          graduate students and for graduate assistants; and be it further

RESOLVED,     That the Academic Senate approve the attached recommendations for research and professional
                          development at Cal Poly, and that these recommendations be forwarded to the President and
                          Provost of Cal Poly.

M e m o r a n d u m
 
 

To:     Myron Hood                                                                        Date: August 30, 1999
          Chair, Academic Senate
 
 

From:    Warren Baker                                                                 Copies: P. Zingg, D. Conn,
            President                                                                                      P. Bailey, W. Boynton,
                                                                                                                H. Davis, M. Harms,
                                                                                                                H. Hellenbrand, J. Jen,
                                                                                                                P. Lee, S. Opava
 

Subject: Response to Academic Senate Resolution AS-527-99/R&PDC - Resolution on Development of a Research and Professional Development Infrastructure at Cal Poly

This will acknowledge receipt of the above referenced Academic Senate resolution. I would like to commend the Academic Senate, and particularly the Research and Professional Development Committee, for taking the initiative in affirming the importance of faculty research and scholarly activity to the University. Your affirmation reflects my own appreciation of this value, which I have communicated to the campus on many occasions. Your placement of these activities in the context of a predominantly undergraduate institution and our own mission makes the resolution particularly valuable. I am committed to working together with the Provost and the academic deans to create an infrastructure that will appropriately support the research and creative activities of our faculty.