CMU creates new positions for grant writing, research

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The university will create the Institute of Great Lakes Research and a Center for Health Systems Research to attract more grants.

Plans were announced at an Oct. 19 Academic Senate meeting. On Friday, University President George Ross and Provost Gary Shapiro will present their plan for prioritizing academic programs.

The two will introduce a plan for increasing external grants and contracts — one of Ross’ goals.

The meeting will focus on academic programs. Planning of non-academic programs will not be presented at this time.

“With our budget, we have limited resources,” Shapiro said. “Some programs may be reduced in resource allocating, some will see profit and others could be eliminated all together. Some will benefit, others will not. We don’t have enough money.”

Compared to other schools, Central Michigan University is very low in external grants and contracts, Shapiro said.

“This will give us the opportunity to engage in research and creative activities, greater collaboration between faculty, the ability to attract more and better qualified graduate students and hire faculty recruited for grant writing,” Shapiro said.

Research-oriented, tenure track faculty will be hired this year to do research with the two groups, Shapiro said. The IGLR will be associated with the College of Science and Technology. The Center of Health Systems Research will be associated with both the College of Health Professions and the College of Medicine.

Each group will hire three additional faculty members every year for the next three years.

“IGLR will be able to take advantage of CMU’s Biological Station on Beaver Island, which has recently been enhanced to provide outstanding teaching and research opportunities in northern Lake Michigan,” said Jane Matty, interim dean of the College of Science and Technology.

IGLR is beginning to search for three new scientists who will focus on expanding expertise in the Great Lakes, she said.

CMU has not had the money available to pay professors to write grants while teaching fewer classes, something common at other universities, Shapiro said. The new positions will entice more grant-writing faculty to consider CMU, he said.

“We expect the three new faculty members will start at CMU next summer,” Matty said. “The specific areas of expertise for these new positions have not been defined, but may be any area of Great Lakes science. Faculty members already at CMU may also join the institute and participate in collaborative research initiatives.”