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University Daily Kansan
Tuesday, May 21, 1963
University Research Is Key to Future
(This is the first in a three-part series concerning research at the University of Kansas.)
Ey Dolores Orman
What is the importance of research in a university? How important is the role of research at the University of Kansas?
Those are some of the questions which are being asked about the present and future of university research as a tool of learning and as a means of discovery.
THE IMPORTANCE of university research in the future industrial growth of the state of Kansas is also being recognized.
In an article, "University Research," in the April issue of the monthly professional and trade magazine "Industrial Research," the following comment was made by Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe;
"Today, the state is beginning to understand a university may provide an excellent undergraduate education, but it has more to do than that . . . The future of Kansas lies in industrialization, and the key to industrialization is higher education.
"Kansas does not seek just any industrialization, but industrialization whose future is the future that is, it must be based on research. Research is the insurance we pay for survival."
JAMES A. McCAIN, president of Kansas State University, said university research is indispensable to developing all the sources of new wealth in Kansas.
Speaking to the annual convention of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce at Kansas City, President McCain said stimulating development of new manufacturing industry and laboratories within the state includes the enormously expanding nuclear, electronics, and space industries.
"The two powerful attractions to such industries," he said "... are great universities and a pleasant environment to live in.
"KANSAS CAN compete successfully if Kansans have sufficient wisdom, foresight, and boldness," he said.
Two years ago, as a result of analyzing the economic problems of this area of the country and the role research could play in economical development, Chancellor Wescoe appointed an Ad Hoc faculty committee to conduct a thorough investigation of "the place of research in the University of Kansas," to report its findings, and to make recommendations concerning the general policies pertaining to research and the area of research development.
AFTER A YEAR and a half of investigation the committee made its full report in June, 1962. The report covered all the various aspects concerned with research in all phases — faculty, funds, space, equipment, organization, and other material necessities.
The report stated: "The proper development of research in the University requires the existence and exploitation of resources in people, the accumulated knowledge and research materials of the past, physical space, equipment and organization and atmosphere conducive to that development.
The committee outlined the various sources of research funds at the University; sponsored research funds (gifts or grants or contracts with governmental agencies, private foundations, or individuals); General Research Fund; the Endowment Association; the Organized Research Funds of the University (the Geological Survey, the Center for Business and Economic Research, the Bureau of Child Research, the Bureau of Educational Research, and the Governmental Research Center) and miscellaneous funds, such as public service (museums, for instance) and equipment.
THE MAJOR PORTION of the University research funds come from the sponsored research funds such as National Science Foundation and NASA. In the 1960-61 school year approximately $3 million came from these sources. The General Research Fund expenditures for the same period were about $400,000.
William J. Argersinger, professor of chemistry and associate dean of the Graduate School, was chairman of that committee.
"In my opinion," he said speaking of the committee report, "it was a very useful and important document especially because it makes provisions for the existence and operation of the University Research Committee.
"THE PURPOSE of the University Research Committee," said Prof. Argersinger, "will be to govern all
areas of research and scholarship within the University."
Melina Anthony
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The passion of Phaedra... who at the same moment embraced her love and her destruction
THE AD HOC committee report outlined the following duties of the University Research Committee (with respect to the General Research Fund): to evaluate faculty research proposals, to suggest ap propriate areas of research to be developed; to recommend to the Chancellor that research funds to be requested of the legislature (with respect to the total research operation); to prepare an annual report on research in the University, to prepare general capability surveys and recommendations on the use of institutional research grants.
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The second major recommendation by the Ad Hoc committee report was the recommendation of the establishment of a Research Foundation. The purpose of the foundation, as explained by the committee report, will be to "coordinate and facilitate all research supported by outside agencies."
- Starts Wednesday
The foundation, expected to work closely with the University Research Committee and the Graduate School, is not, according to the report, to
be a separate operating research organization. It will be concerned with contract negotiations, accounting reports, and security matters.
THE ESTABLISHMENT of a research foundation at KU will hinge on the new law creating a state research foundation.
"The bill provides for sub-research foundations in the Kansas schools such as Manhattan and Lawrence with the central office in Topeka." Prof. Argersinger said.
THE IMPORTANCE of the faculty members in the various areas of the arts and sciences was emphasized in the Ad Hoc committee report also.
"The faculty is the primary resource in research development at KU," Prof. Argersinger said.
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