Tier one for Texas Tech draws step closer with cotton research grant: A-J Link
Higher education in Texas is struggling financially. We all know that. We are a society of immediate gratification. We've heard about tier one and expect it to be done automatically. Unfortunately, it's just not that easy. So imagine $15 million being dropped in your lap "" $10 million for research collaboration and $5 million for a proposed new building.
It's like winning the lottery. This is what happened to Texas Tech's Department of Plant and Soil Science - and the "lottery" is compliments of Bayer CropScience ($7.5 million) and matching state funds ($7.5 million). This is the largest grant in departmental history.
"This is the type of opportunity that comes along once in a lifetime," said Tom Thompson, the department's chairman. "For us, it will create possibilities for expanding our research. It's going to allow us to develop our research infrastructure and to be a part of what ultimately could transform the cotton business."
Are other departments working to gain this type stature? Nearly every facet of university operations now revolves around tier one and research associated with it, reported the A-J's Matthew McGowan. In November, voters approved creation of the National Research University Fund, a $500 million endowment that could significantly help Texas Tech and the six other universities in Texas vying for tier one status.
"Getting into NRFU is really the first step," said Guy Bailey, Texas Tech president. "It's not the end, but the beginning."
The fund requires applicants to meet several benchmarks. Every school must have at least $45 million in annual restricted research expenditures for two consecutive years. Expenditures qualify as "restricted" if they come not from the state, but from private grants and federal research projects.
The university already has spent about $22 million this year, and has a good shot
at reaching $45 million this summer, a traditionally busy research season, said Taylor Eighmy, Tech vice president for research. In addition, each of the universities must meet
at least four of the following six:
"$400 million endowment (Tech had $388.5 million in 2009).
"200 Ph.D.'s awarded annually (Tech had 169 in 2009).
"Membership in Association of Research Libraries, Phi Beta Kappa or equivalent national
recognition.
"Freshmen class with high academic achievement.
"High-quality faculty.
"Commitment to high quality graduate education.
Of the seven emerging schools, the University of Houston already has met most of these, with Tech, UT Arlington and UT Dallas not far behind. Houston's endowment is now valued at about $440 million and Tech's comes in a close second with $430 million. The next highest endowment is the University of Texas-Dallas, with about $230 million.
Written by A-J Editorial Board
CONTACT: Thomas Thompson, professor and chairman, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2838 or thomas.thompson@ttu.edu
0519NM10 / For additional informaton, click http://lubbockonline.com/editorials/2010-05-19/j-editorial-tier-one-texas-tech-draws-step-closer-cotton-research-grant
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