Science & Technology Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 12, 1999


Attendees: Anita Jones (chair), Suzanne Farnsworth, Ariel Gomez, John Herr, Stephanie Johnson, Bob Jones, Tom MacAvoy, Dick Merrill, Karen Parshall, Dennis Proffitt, Kevin Sullivan. Ex officio: Gene Block, Jeffrey Plank, Tim Sigmon, Dick Sundberg. Staff: Amy Cronin, Charlie Feigenoff, Brian Moriarity, Michelle Ritter, Fariss Samarrai.

Meeting Summary

Ms. Jones reviewed the outcomes of the Commission’s fall workshop. She noted a number of tasks to be completed this fall:

• Review indirect funds – source and allocation
• Review Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) – history, return on investment
• Explore ratings/rankings of U.Va. units
• Explore sources of seed funding
• Ask schools for their unfair advantages (Skalak, Bean)

She also reviewed a number of presentations to be sought this fall to assist the Commission in its work:

• Intellectual property – Patent Foundation (MacWright)
• Land – Research Parks plan (Rose), Master Plan (Anderson)
• Graduate Programs – Schnatterly, Owens, Plog, Thornton, others

In addition, three straw business cases will be developed:

• Proteomics – Herr, Owens
• Information Technology – Sullivan, Brown
• Environment – Hornberger, Johnson

Mr. MacAvoy indicated a willingness to assist with the development of the business cases as needed.

The remainder of the meeting focused on a review of the white paper developed by Ms. Jones and Mr. Moriarity on indirect funds. A few key comments that emerged in the discussion of the report:

• Need to review U.Va.’s process for negotiation of indirect payout rate with the Department of Health and Human Services. E.g., Gene Block’s office is not consulted.
• Perhaps U.Va. should spend more on infrastructure now in order to better position itself for next round of negotiation with HHS (in 2001, using FY 2000-2001 figures). E.g., expenditures on technology.

Discussion Topics

• Review of action items from the workshop
• Report on Indirect Funds

Action Items

• Begin development of straw business cases (see assignments above)
• Redistribute information on program rankings (Cronin)

Next Meeting

• Tuesday, October 26, 7:30-9:00 a.m., Newcomb Hall Room 389