Renewable
energy and bioscience zones legislation will benefit CBS
Two initiatives approved by the 2003 Minnesota Legislature in May will
play a significant role in the future of CBS.
- Renewable
Energy Research Funding
The "Prairie Island" bill provides funding for the University
of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment. Funds
will be used for basic and applied research and demonstration projects
on hydrogen and other renewable energy sources. Funding for this initiative
will be provided through a one-time allocation of $10 million and additional
annual funding through 2008, estimated at $1.8 to $2 million per year.
A demonstration facility will be located at the West Central Research
and Outreach Center in partnership with the University of Minnesota,
Morris. A committee has been formed to determine the process for applying
for these funds. Judd Sheridan, associate dean for research, is representing
CBS on this committee. Details will be forthcoming.
Dean Elde, Rep. Steve Kelly, and MNBIO led efforts to promote this legislation,
which directs to the University money utility companies are required
to set aside for alternative energy development.
- Biotechnology
Tax-Free Zones
The Omnibus Tax Bill contained provisions enabling the Commissioner
of the Department of Trade and Economic Development to designate two
tax-free zones to provide tax incentives for the development of biotechnology
and health sciences businesses near a research institution. The goal
in establishing these zones is to foster the development of the biotechnology
and health sciences industries in Minnesota, improving the quality of
our citizens' lives, and growing jobs in these industries. University
officials will work closely with the Department of Trade and Economic
Development as these zones develop in the future. At present, the governor
is deciding where these zones will be located. It’s likely that
one will be along the transit way between the Minneapolis and St. Paul
campuses, where the University Enterprise Laboratories, Inc. laboratory-incubator
will be located. The zones will take effect on July 1, 2004. At present
there is a $1 million cap on tax waivers, but this could be raised in
the future as the state’s economy improves. Dean Elde, MNBIO Executive
Director Ray Frost, St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly, among others, actively
promoted the creation of the zones.
- In
addition to the bioscience park initiative the Legislature approved
$2 million for the Mayo and the University of Minnesota to collaborate
on biotechnology and genomics research. And the Translational Research
Facility was among the projects funded through the supplemental bonding
bill.
State
cuts $196.3 million from U’s biennial budget
The Legislature approved a $1.1 billion budget for the University for
the FY 04-05
biennium (July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2005). This is a reduction of approximately
$196.3 million from the University's budget base in the FY 02-03 biennium.
This biennial appropriation ($1.1 billion) is less than proposed in
either the House or the Senate higher education bills but slightly more
than the Governor's budget proposal. The College of Biological Sciences
has already eliminated several administrative positions in the spring
in response to previous and anticipated budget reductions. Further cuts
may be necessary. Details about these will be announced as soon as they
are available.
Mark
your calendars for CBS Community Day Sept. 5
All faculty and staff are invited to CBS Community Day on Sept. 5 in
the Cargill Building for Microbial and Plant Genomics. Community Day
will begin with a noon lunch, followed by Dean Elde's "State of
the College" address. The afternoon will consist of tours and workshops
throughout various CBS research facilities. More information will follow
shortly.
Gopher Graduate Program encourages diversity at the U
CBS, IT, and CLA hosted a mini college program for a diverse group of
more than 220 high schoolers from 40 metro-area schools June 23-26.
Courses offered over the four days included Math Rocks, Acting 101,
Instant Chinese, Colors in Biology, Brain Awareness, Cities as Works
of Art, and Wars and the Economy. Other sponsors include the College
of Continuing Education and the Office of Admissions. Besides attending
classes, students ate lunch in a residence hall dining room, attended
a panel discussion on student organizations, and learned how to prepare
for college, get admitted, and apply for financial aid. The purpose
of the program is to encourage minority students consider a University
education. Two thirds (22) of the 33 seniors who attended last year’s
Gopher Graduate Program applied for admission to the U; 17 of those
were accepted. John Anderson coordinated CBS’ role in this effort.
Developmental Biology Symposium
The 12th Annual Developmental Biology Center Symposium, titled "From
Egg to Organ: Cell Cycle Regulation in Development" will be held
September 29-30, 2003 in the Great Hall of the Coffman Memorial Union.
Events include platform speakers, a banquet at the Weisman Art Museum
with keynote speaker, and a poster session. Speakers include: Bruce
Edgar (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center), Terry Orr-Weaver (Massachusetts
Institute of Technology), David Glover (University of Cambridge), Bruce
Bowerman (University of Oregon), Martine Roussel (St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital), Sander van den Heuvel (Massachusetts General Hospital
Cancer Center), Martin Hulskamp (University of Koln), James Maller (University
of Colorado), and Jacqueline Lees (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
For registration and other information visit http://www.med.umn.edu/dbc/symp/2003/index.html
or contact Tami at 4-4981 or jauer002@umn.edu.
Microsoft
Campus-wide Campus Agreement
The Board of Regents has approved an agreement between the
University of Minnesota and Microsoft Corporation to provide a suite of
Microsoft's most popular software for use on computers owned by the
University. Academic & Distributed Computing Services (ADCS)
and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) will be administering this
license. Starting date for the license is July 1, 2003 and the
University is committed to a three-year term for these products.
Software available through this agreement includes the following:
Windows operating system upgrades
Microsoft Office XP Professional
Microsoft Office for Macintosh
Front Page
Publisher
Visual Studio.net
All Windows Client Access Licenses (CALs), including SQL CAL
More details about the agreement are available at this page:
http://www.umn.edu/adcs/site/MSagree.html
Top
David Stephens, associate professor of ecology, evolution
and behavior, received a four-year grant of approximately $338,000 from
the National Science Foundation for a research project titled “Animal
Impulsivity: Discounting or Ecological Rationality.”
David Tilman, Regents Professor of ecology, evolution
and behavior, was featured in the “Random Samples” section
of the June 20 issue of Science. The section provides updates on the
work of leading scientists in different fields.
Janene Connelly has resigned from her position as director
of development and external relations for CBS effective June 30. Janene
has accepted the position of development director for St. Paul-Mpls.
Catholic Charities. Please direct any questions regarding development
to Jean Marie Lindquist, 625-7705.
Stephen Polasky, associate professor of ecology, evolution,
and behavior, received $82,000 from the USDA Forest SVC North Central
Research Station for
“Developing a Collaborative Modeling Approach to Assess Biological
and Economic Effects of Land Use Decisions and Pollution Mitigation.”
Iris
Charvat, professor of plant biology, received a $25,000 grant
from the Minnesota Department of Transportation for research on “Production
and Characterization of Mycorrhizal Fungal Inoculum.”
David
Ross Moir, a student of former Botany Department Heads Gerald
Ownbey and Ernst Abbe and teacher at the Lake Itasca Biological Station,
died on May 24, 2003. A celebration of his life was held in St. Paul
on May 29. Memorials may be made to the Lexington Outreach Library,
1080 University Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55104 or to the donor's choice.
Top
September 5
Community Day begins
with a noon lunch at the Cargill Building, followed by Dean Elde's annual
State of the College address and tours of Biodale and other research
facilities. Watch for details.
CBS
seminar listings
Top
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Visit the CBS Web site at www.cbs.umn.edu.
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.
This publication is available in alternative formats upon request
from Peggy Rinard
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the CBS News Archives
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