Chesnut sees CMU becoming more focused on its research

Chris McCarty

Provost and Executive Vice President candidate Lloyd Chesnut says he wants to see research grow at CMU during the second of five open forums.

Chesnut, vice president for research and development and professor of biological sciences at the University of Montana-Missoula, presented his views of and visions for CMU Wednesday in the Bovee University Center Lake Superior and Lake Michigan rooms with nearly 25 faculty and staff members attending.

No students were present.

In five to 10 years, Chesnut said he would like to see two to three more doctorate programs added to CMU, external funding at $40 million and more diversity.

“I enjoy touching all areas of campus and working with all people,” Chesnut said.

Chesnut discussed his experience in developing a university to become more research focused.

“A university must prioritize its Ph.D. programs so they can grow. When I started at Montana, there were nine programs and we will be adding our 15th soon. This was possible because we focus our programs and growing on things we can do and do well,” he said.

Chesnut also spoke on the issue of promoting scholarly growth and development with the faculty.

“To be successful you must be multifaceted and look at the vision and strategic plans of the university, and make sure resources are being put in the right programs and incentives are being given,” Chesnut said.

A question from the crowd about state budget cuts gave Chesnut the chance to discuss his experience.

“I have had a lot of experience dealing with budget cuts. We are going through one now,” Chesnut said.

Chesnut said he did not know the ins and the outs of CMU’s particular concerns with the budget, but said he was familiar with state cuts and budget cuts in general.

Focusing on research could help during times of budget cuts because funds could come from another party besides students and the Legislature.

“Sponsoring research gives us a third player when it comes to budget cuts,” said Academic Senate chairman Jim Scott, provost search committee chairman.

Chesnut said he sees a lot of excitement and potential on campus. He spoke of his experience in large-scale fund-raising campaigns at different universities, and discussed his experience in dealing with and setting up cooperative programs within certain industries.

“I have experience in doing things that match the strategic plan of the university,” Chesnut said.

Scott, business information systems professor, said Chesnut is qualified for the position.

“Chesnut comes to us with very high references,” he said.

After the last open forum, the 12-member search committee will put together feedback and form a working list of strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, which will be given to University President Michael Rao, who makes the final decision.

The next forum takes place at 8:45 a.m. today in the UC Auditorium with David Stocum, dean of the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue. The fourth forum will take place at 1 p.m. Monday in the UC Maroon and Gold rooms with Ali Malekzadeh, dean of Herberger College of Business at Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. Open forums will conclude at 10 a.m. Thursday in the UC Auditorium with Derek Hodgson, vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.