a businessman’s view of tier 1 from the president’s office at unlv donald d. snyder president
TRANSCRIPT
Research Universities
linchpins of U.S. economy since 1950s focus on granting college degrees also focus on research, innovation crucial to regional economic development
Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings report: “shortcomings of current
innovation system …Nevada lags behind other states and the nation on every indicator of innovation and Research & Development activity”
Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings report: “threats” to the Nevada
economy : “underinvestment in
higher education” “lack of a top-ranked
Carnegie research university”
Research Universities in Nevada
SRI/ Brookings: Southern Nevada innovation capacity “underdeveloped” despite “significant strengths”.
> 50% state’s advanced degrees from UNLV but only 25% of academic R&D spending
UNLV < 25% of state-funded lab space only ½ of so. NV lab space is bio-medical
Outcome: only 25% of National Science Foundation funds to state come to Las Vegas.
Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings recommendation: expand role of research
universities: in Research &
Development through industry collaborations
in Workforce Development through advanced degrees
UNLV as a Research UniversityScience Coalition report: Sparking Economic Growth 2.0
value of university research to regional economic development university research is both basic
(technological innovation) and applied (specific products, services)
university research creates technologies, not just products more sustainable industries higher levels of skills, pay for
technology workforce technology firms more likely to
attract venture capital
Universities Drive Economic Growth
“We believe that America’s research universities are today a key asset for our nation’s future. …Our future now depends on the willingness of our current policymakers to follow their example and make the decisions that will allow us to continue to compete, prosper, and shape our destiny…. ”
RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. REPORT BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (2012)
Universities Drive Economic Growth
“...other nations have recognized the importance of world-class research universities and of university-driven research and advanced education to economic prosperity and social well-being. They are strategically and rapidly strengthening their research universities to compete for international students and faculty, resource, and reputation and [they] have closely tied university research to business.”
RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. REPORT BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (2012)
Universities Thrive in Major Cities
“It makes the most sense to put new top tier institutions in large cities ….You need the sophistication of a major city to be able to take advantage of all the connections and opportunities these institutions can bring.”
- Larry Faulkner, President Emeritus, UT Austin
UNLV and the Las Vegas community
“You cannot have a great community without a great university …connected to that community”
- Donald D. Snyder
UNLV goals for the community Quality, value education
remain accessible, affordable for students attract competitive students in-state, nationally and
internationally
Fulfill recent NSHE, state mandates completion: funding based on student performance alignment: degrees in economic development areas
Serve regional needs Minority Serving Institution designation Research University / Very High designation
UNLV educational objectives (10-year)
Commitment to improving quality Reform of General Education Improve basic Mathematics, Communications Increased focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics degrees Develop innovative programs such as IT, Gaming Law,
Urban Leadership, Graphic Design and Media, Aeronautic Systems, etc.
60% undergraduate graduation rate 4250 undergraduate degrees per year
25% of students in graduate, professional programs 1500 grad/ professional degrees per year
Carnegie Foundation Research University designations UNLV 2010 : “High Research” (top 4.5%) 20-Year goal is “Very High Research” (top 2.3 %)
108 Research Universities/ Very High as of 2010 75 are public universities 74 have medical schools 2 Minority-Serving Institutions currently designated as
Research University/ Very High
Carnegie Foundation Research University designations Key metrics
Graduation rates Doctoral degrees awarded
Across all fields of study
Research grant and contract expenditures science and engineering other fields
Research professionals (e.g. post-docs) Faculty size
UNLV Tier 1 : 20-Year Business Plan
1. Analysis of Current Conditions
2. Phase 1: 10 Years to Build Capacity
3. Resources Need to Build Capacity
4. 10-Year Targets
5. 20-Year Performance Targets
6. Annual Benefits to Community Upon Completion of Plan
1. Analysis of current conditions
Comparison with 4 universities: Oregon; Colorado, Boulder; Utah; Arizona State All Research Universities/ Very High All public universities in Mountain West region Not land grant institutions 3 of 4 do not have medical schools 3 of 4 in “Mountain Mega” cities
Key Findings : UNLV, c. 2011 Faculty Size
From peak of 925 down to 780 average size of Tier 1 university = 1200
Campus Size 400,000 GSF smaller than comparators 200,000 GSF lab space below comparators
Key Findings : UNLV, c. 2011 Grant/ Contract activity
< $30M per year (by NSF methodology) > $80M per year below comparators
2. 10-Year Plan to Build Capacity
add 250 new full-time faculty lines prioritize Economic Development areas recruit research-active faculty
add 300 graduate scholarships expand research support staff upgrade, expand existing lab space enhance internet connectivity and high-
performance computing capacity
3. Resources Needed to Build Capacity
Restore cuts in state funding over 10 years 10-year investment to rebuild research capacity performance benchmarks, careful oversight
Performance funds, student fees devoted to student success (ensuring graduation)
State capital funds plus community support for campus infrastructure
Federal, state, private grant/ contract expansion for research support
4. 10-Year Targets
1200 full-time faculty members increased average research productivity per
faculty member to $100,000 per year 350 research support staff
post-doctoral scholars, research scientists, librarians, etc. (mostly self-supporting)
400,000 additional gross square feet
5. 20-Year Performance Targets
$120M in annual grant / contract expenditures (from current $40M)
160 post-doctoral researchers supported by external funding (currently 61)
200 doctorates per year (current 100) 30 graduate programs ranked in top 100
(current 11)
6. Benefits to Community in 20 Years
> 5000 quality degrees per year annual economic impact of billions of dollars
direct expenditure economic spin-off value added of education to workforce
12 start-ups per year from UNLV research 2500 high-paying jobs (off campus) created
each year from spin-off of UNLV research