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October 31, 2008
Topics in today's issue of Extension Update:
BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Given the current economic conditions, it is no surprise that higher education and other agencies in the state are being asked to cut spending and return funds to state coffers. As part of the $6 million holdback in state funds for Washington State University (WSU Today online, October 9), WSU Extension will make a 2.1 percent cut – approximately $300,000 – in one-time funds for the current fiscal year. This is more than what individual colleges at the university will be cutting. The basis for the percent of budget reductions university-wide is to protect instructional faculty, graduate students and operations, libraries, communications, and urban campuses.
Although any reduction in funds has a direct impact on our operations, we are doing everything possible to mitigate the impact of this holdback. Luckily, we anticipated the need to have some funding flexibility and have held open administrative professional and civil service positions as the university directed last spring. The majority of our cut will come from those salary savings generated by positions open in departments, centers, and the office of the Dean of Extension, not the Extension districts. It is my hope that it will minimize disruption to our Extension programs around the state. Please contact me at 509.335.2933 or lkfox@wsu.edu if you have any questions.
INTERNAL AUDIT UPDATE: PURCHASING CARDS, SOFTWARE LICENSES AND CELL PHONES
WSU’s Internal Audit office will be conducting an audit on all Purchasing Cards held by CAHNRS employees (on campus only); this audit is scheduled to start within the next few weeks. Also scheduled for the near future is a University-wide software license inventory and an assessment of the implementation of the new cell phone policy. Please take this opportunity to review your compliance in these areas and contact Mary Hoffman (mhoffman@wsu.edu; phone 5-2993) if you have any questions or concerns.
CALL FOR PROPOSALS UNDER WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT
The State of Washington Water Research Center (SWWRC) is calling for research proposals to be submitted under Section 104B of the Water Resources Research Act. The objectives of this program are to sponsor research that fosters (a) the entry of new research scientists into the water resources fields, (b) training and education of future scientists and engineers, (c) the preliminary exploration of new ideas that address water problems or expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena, and (d) the dissemination of research results to water managers and the public. As a result, preference will be given to proposals received from junior investigators in partnership with more senior faculty mentors. However, proposals from senior faculty that address priority issues in the state and show strong potential for follow-up submissions to major funding sources are also encouraged. In addition, to clarify the intended goal of item (b), reviewers will give preference to proposals that support thesis and dissertation research, rather than simply providing funding for students working on other projects. While we understand that this is somewhat challenging given the level of funding provided, graduate degrees are one measure used by the USGS to evaluate our program; it is therefore deemed an important criteria.
Although any proposal focusing on advancing our understanding of scientific processes in water resources is acceptable, those that address priority research needs in the State of Washington stand a better chance of being highly ranked by the review panel. Similar to last year, the following wide range of priority activities were deemed most important in terms of current needs:
1) Climate change effects on water balances, stream flows, and water quality,
2) Reuse and reclaimed water issues,
3) Policy and socio-economic aspects of water resources management,
4) Fate and transport of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and pathogens,
5) Ecological and/or human health topics related to water quantity/quality,
6) Treatment technologies and storage options for increasing potable water supplies, and
7) Surface/groundwater interaction studies related to enhancing water supplies.
For FY2009, we anticipate that three proposals will be funded at a request of $27,500 each. The cost-sharing requirement of this portion of the program remains 2:1 or $55,000 from non-federal sources. The duration of the grants will be March 1, 2009 to February 28, 2010. Funding is contingent upon allocation of FY2009 program funds by Congress and the release of those funds to the Water Research Centers and Institutes by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Also, it is very important to keep in mind that we need broad-based local support in order to continue receiving federal funding. Consequently, state and/or tribal agency letters of support for your projects indicating how your work will help them solve a problem are highly encouraged.
The deadline for receipt of proposals is 5:00 p.m. on December 3, 2008. Please call us at (509) 335-5532 if you have any questions or wish to discuss your ideas prior to submitting a proposal.
Proposals will only be accepted electronically through the NIWR Internet site at https://niwr.net/. To enter a proposal, you must be registered on the web site. For additional information, we encourage you to review Submitting Proposals to the State of Washington Water Research Center through the State Water Resources Research Institute Program Section 104(B) FY2009. This document is posted on our web site at http://www.swwrc.wsu.edu/. Contact Diane Weber (weberd@wsu.edu) to request an electronic or paper copy.
We encourage you to work closely with SWWRC from the beginning if you intend to submit a proposal. Please call either Diane Weber (509-335-5532) or Mike Barber (509-335-6633), and we will be happy to answer your questions.
ENERGY SURVEY RESULTS AVAILABLE
A survey was prepared by participants in a four-State collaborative (Oregon, Washington, Idaho & Alaska) as part of the Department of Energy, EERE program (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy). The goal of the survey was to explore what energy related questions are coming in to Extension, what current Extension activities in relation to energy take place, what energy information resources Extension staff and faculty already know about and use, and what additional energy related resources might be useful. The Washington survey targeted the entire WSU Extension system, not just the Extension Energy Program.
All WSU Extension personnel were asked to participate in the survey in July of 2007 and again in June of 2008. There were 55 responses in 2007 and 93 in 2008. The survey results can be seen at: http://css.wsu.edu/07_08_EnergySurveyResults.pdf. For more information contact Hans Kok, hanskok@wsu.edu.
THIRD QUARTER ISSUE OF CHOICES AVAILABLE
The third quarter issue of Choices, a publication of the American Agricultural Economics Association, is now available on line. Choices is an online peer-reviewed magazine published by the AAEA for readers interested in the policy and management of agriculture, the food industry, natural resources, rural communities, and the environment.
In this issue, Choices addresses two timely themes and an interesting individual submission. The first theme provides insightful ideas about biofuels, energy, agriculture, and the environment. It addresses cellulosic biofuels, food-fuel choices and conflicts, and E.U. and U.S. policies. The second theme deals with the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 provisions beyond the major commodity crop programs, including the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program, conversation, specialty crops and WTO implications. The final article provides an interesting analysis of consumer reactions to food safety policies.
You can view Choices online at: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/issue.php
If you prefer to read the publication as a PDF file, it can be accessed at: http://www.choicesmagazine.org/magazine/pdf/issue_5.pdf
PULLMAN DINING SERVICES TO PRESENT NW NATIVE AMERICA FOOD
During the week of Nov. 10 - 14, Washington State University Pullman Dining Services will feature "A Taste of Northwest Native America" at each of their three primary dining facilities: Hillside Café, Northside Café and Southside Café.
There will be two special performances from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at Southside Café and Thursday, Nov. 13, at Northside Café. The Native American Music Class and the Palouse Falls Intertribal Drum Group will perform several solo and small group social dances that will include educational explanations of the dances. They will then invite the audience to participate for the main event of the evening, The Friendship Dance. You can read more about all of the events and menus in an article online at
http://www.wsunews.wsu.edu/pages/publications.asp?Action=Detail&PublicationID=13108&TypeID=1. For more information, visit www.dining.wsu.edu.
SCHEDULE
Linda will be in Pullman all week. John will be in Pullman Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He will be on leave on Tuesday.
Linda Kirk Fox, PhD
Associate Vice President and Dean
Washington State University Extension
411 Hulbert Hall, PO Box 646248
Pullman, WA 99164-6248
509-335-2933 Office
509-335-9223 Desk/Voicemail
509-335-2926 FAX
lkfox@wsu.edu
ext.wsu.edu
WSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. |
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