| Scott Angle (University of Maryland)
Gary Cunningham (CSREES) LeRoy Daugherty (New Mexico State University) Samuel Donald (ARD Executive Director) Jim Fischer (Clemson University) McArthur Floyd (Alabama A&M University) Ken Grafton (North Dakota State University) Ian Gray (Michigan State University) |
Mike Harrington (Western Region Executive Director)
Richard Heimsch (University of Idaho) Robin Huettel (Auburn University) Virginia Clark Johnson (North Dakota State University) Richard Jones (University of Florida) Colin Kaltenbach (University of Arizona) Don Kirby (North Dakota State University) |
Daryl Lund (North Central Region Executive Director)
Roger Lewis (University of Nevada-Reno) Sally Rockey (CSREES) Dennis Saviano (Purdue University) Steve Slack (Ohio State University) Carolyn Turner (North Carolina A&T University) Eric Young (Southern Region Executive Director) |
| 1. | 9:00am | Call to order - Scott Angle |
| 2. | MAPs Task Force Update - Eric Young | |
| 3. | NRSP Task Force Report: Consideration of NRSP Guidelines - Daryl Lund | |
| 4. | Partial Assignment of NERA ED to NASULGC - Scott Angle | |
| 5. | Agro-Security Initiative Update - David Thawley | |
| 6. | ESCOP Assessment - Scott Angle and Mike Harrington | |
| 7. | NIMSS Oversight Committee - Daryl Lund | |
| 8. | Future Meetings - Mike Harrington | |
| 9. | Confirmation of the Report of Recommendations from the ESCOP ad hoc Committee on Committees - Scott Angle | |
| 10. | Other Reports and Miscellaneous Business - Scott Angle | |
| 11. | 11:30am | Adjournment |
Background: Chair Scott Angle will call the Executive Committee meeting to order. The agenda will be approved with changes so noted.
Action Requested: Approval of agenda.
Action Taken: Moved and seconded to accept the agenda as distributed.
Background: Attempts to enhance federal support for agricultural research and extension activities conducted at Land Grant Universities have met with concerns that accountability is inadequate for any new formula funding increases for specific initiatives. To address this concern a joint ESCOP/ECOP task force has proposed a new organizational framework, referred to as Multiple Activity Programs or MAPs, to rapidly respond to new formula funds with national research and extension initiatives and track expenditures, outcomes and impacts. Their purpose is to greatly facilitate reporting multistate and multi-functional collaborations with direct accountability of outcomes and impacts whenever practical, and to link those reports to investments and USDA performance plans. MAPs are organizing frameworks for tracking expenditures of new formula funds (and funds from other sources) for research and extension initiatives of national scope, and for reporting results from and impacts of those programs.
In August the ESCOP and ECOP chairs appointed a joint ad hoc committee to (1) develop implementation details for MAPs, and (2) to recommend procedures for reporting and accounting of new formula funds that are programmatically directed.. The committee consists of Daryl Lund, Eric Young, and Jim Jacobs from ESCOP, Dick Wootton, Mary Gray, and Keith Smith from ECOP and Cheryl Oros from CSREES.
It was decided during a conference call on August16, 2002 that due to the changes within CSREES and the new extension reporting system under development (EASE), that there may be a solution to the accountability problem without developing a new procedure. Subsequent consideration by Dr. Oros and Dr. Gary Cunningham, CSREES Associate Administrator, indicated that no barriers exist in current accountability requirements and reporting mechanisms to USDA/REE/CSREES accepting new formula funds that are programmatically directed. The activities described by the MAP process can now be accomplished within the framework of the existing multistate project process and existing information systems in CSREES. Therefore, continued developing of the new MAP procedure to account for integrated, programmatically directed formula funds through CSREES is not necessary. However, the MAP framework could be used in the future to develop an integrated multistate, multi-agency initiative in a particular area.
Action Requested: For information.
In meeting discussion: The Report of the Task Force was accepted. Basically, there appears to be no need within the CSREES agency for funding special programs such as those defined through the proposed Multiple Activity Programs (MAPs). Programmatically directed formula funds (Hatch and/or Smith Lever) can be handled through existing systems available through the CSREES (for example, NRSP, multistate integrated projects).
Action Taken: Scott Angle thanked the Task Force for its efforts and dissolved the Task Force.
Background: NRSP Guidelines will be considered for endorsement by the Executive Committee for subsequent distribution to ESS members for electronic vote. If approved by ESS and CSREES, Guidelines would become effective January 1, 2003.
Action Requested: Endorsement of NRSP Guidelines.
In meeting discussion: The motion, passed at the September meeting of the ESS in Baltimore, on the disposition of the NRSP Task Force Report was introduced. The Executive Committee directed Daryl Lund to prepare the NRSP Guidelines and a ballot for distribution to the ESS membership. The Executive Committee will have a final review of the guidelines and the ballot. The ESS membership will be asked to vote (each station has one vote) on the approval of the guidelines, the vote being completed by the end of December. If the guidelines are approved, they will be tranmitted to the CSREES with further consideration within the agency and implementation.
Background: Consideration of the Northeast Regional Association Executive Director being partially assigned to NASULGC will be discussed, and the necessary assessment to accomodate such a plan.
Action Requested: For discussion.
In meeting discussion: Scott Angle briefly reviewed the possibility that the NERA ED would have 25% of his/her time (or approximately one day per week) assigned to NASULGC (performing some of the same type of functions that the current NASULGC staffed positions do for Academic Programs and Extension). The NERA ED would have an office at NASULGC to carry out these functions. The cost for the 20-25% time would be borne by the system of Experiment Station Directors. The Executive Committee was reminded that each ED has a portion of his time dedicated to national issues. While the discussions are proceeding within NERA, it was recommended that Scott Angle, Gale Buchanan (Current chair of the BAA Policy Board), Bobby Moser (incoming chair of the BAA Policy Board), and the current EDs also discuss the possibilities for distribution of efforts.
Background: An update on the initiative will be provided, including the status of hiring an Executive Director. A ballot was distributed by NASULGC on November 5 to vote on the use of residual ESCOP funds ($100,000) held by NASULGC to employ a part-time executive director for the National Institute for Agricultural Security in 2003. The deadline for ballots being returned to NASULGC is December 5.
Action Requested: For discussion.
In meeting discussion: Mike Harrington reminded the Executive Committee that it had approved the request to use residual funds ($100K) at NASULGC to employ a part time executive director of the NIAS. A ballot was distributed to the voting members of the ESS seeking formal approval on this issue. We also need to consider how the Institute will accept money from various sources. One consideration is to have the Institute affiliated with a university for those purposes. Colin Kaltenbach briefly reviewed the current policy of the BAA regarding assessments.
Background: Drs. Angle and Harrington will lead a discussion concerning the possibility of having a separate assessment for special ESCOP projects.
Action Requested: For discussion.
In meeting discussion: Scott Angle and Mike Harrington outlined several activities of ESCOP that will require resources: Office of the Executive Director of NIAS, ESCOP Committee on Communications and Marketing, partial ED position located at NASULGC, maintenance and upgrades for NIMSS, etc. The needs suggest that ESCOP should consider continuing with some assessment. It was pointed out that the bill from NASULGC for all assessments managed through NASULGC will be sent to the dean at the institution for payment. The dean in turn will distribute the bill within his/her institution. Given that this is a transition year within BAA and ESCOP, it was moved, seconded and passed that the membership of ESS be asked to approve an assessment at 50% of the current rate for this next year only. It was pointed out that the vote would need to occur in December since, if it is approved, notification to NASULGC must occur in early January so the bill can be included in the bill to the deans.
Background: Dr. Lund will provide a brief report on the recent NIMSS Oversight Committee in which improvements and future plans for NIMSS were discussed.
Action Requested: For information.
In meeting discussion: Daryl Lund updated the Executive Committee on the improvements which need to be made to NIMSS. The costs associated with these changes will be shared among the four regional associations. If the directors approve continuing with some assessment for next year, these expenses could be taken from that contingency fund.
Background: Dr. Harrington will lead a discussion regarding future meetings of the ESCOP Executive Committee.
Action Requested: For discussion.
In meeting discussion: It was decided that the decision on a Spring ESCOP Executive Committee meeting would be made after the March meeting of the full ESCOP membership in Wash DC.
Background: Actions on the Report of the ad hoc Committee on Committees will be reaffirmed. The only recommended change is a clarification of title of the Advocacy and Marketing Committee to Communication and Marketing Committee. There were no recommendations brought forward regarding the charges to standing committees of ESCOP.
Action Requested: For discussion.
In meeting discussion: It was confirmed that the name of the ESCOP Committee on Advocacy and Marketing was changed to the ESCOP Committee on Communications and Marketing by action at the Baltimore ESS meeting in September. This was deemed a clarification since there are no changes in the charge and duties of this committee. Therefore, this change does not require a vote of the ESS membership.
Background: Additional oral reports from Standing Committees and ESCOP liaisons will be accepted as need and time dictate.
Action Requested: For information.
In meeting reports -
Background: Announcements and assignments will precede adjournment.
Action Requested: For information.
Assignments: