Vol. 17, No. 20	Feb. 19, 1998

UD requests funding to strengthen partnerships

President David P. Roselle (left) address the General Assembly's Joint Finance Committee.

University of Delaware President David P. Roselle made a case Feb. 17 to the General Assembly's Joint Finance Committee for an additional $1.1 million over the $95.7 million allocation recommended by Gov. Carper for the upcoming fiscal year.

"There is no wiser investment than education, which ensures the continued growth and prosperity of Delaware and its citizens," Roselle said, noting that the governor's recommendation "demonstrates his continuing commitment to strengthening and further solidifying the partnership between the state and its flagship University."

Roselle called the state and the University "visible partners" at work in virtually every facet of day-to-day life. He cited as examples the numerous research initiatives ongoing with the state, ranging from gene targeting in agriculture to introducing state-of-the-art technology for Delaware's bridges and highways, as well as public service and educational contributions to the agricultural and agribusiness sectors and to assist in the area of K-12 education reform.

Outreach programs "bring the energy and knowledge of the University's faculty and students directly to the state's communities," Roselle said.

Roselle told the legislators he was aware of the fiscal constraints and demands facing them as they deal with the allocation of state funds, but he urged them to ratify the governor's recommendation and to give favorable consideration to the University's request in support of programs and initiatives that would "strengthen the partnership" between UD and the state.

Several programs received only partial funding in the governor's recommendation, and Roselle asked for a total of $191,000 to bring them up to the levels requested. In priority order, they are:

• An additional $61,000, bringing funding to $96,000, for the Delaware Undergraduate Research Scholars program, which would build on the University's demonstrated ability to integrate research into the undergraduate academic experience of the brightest students, expanding the number of students involved, with an emphasis on involving Delaware resident students.

"There is ample evidence that students who engage in undergraduate research have a richer academic experience than those who do not," Roselle said. "Support for this program is an investment in the state's intellectual growth."

An additional $75,000 over the governor's recommendation, bringing the total to $150,000, for extension of the work of research and public service on school finance issues.

• An additional $30,000 for Agricultural Environmental Quality, bringing the total to $130,000, to develop a holistic approach to environmental quality and nutrient management with regard to environmental issues confronting the poultry industry, embracing air, soil and water.

• An additional $25,000 to bring the Center for Community Needs and Family Policy to the original request of $50,000, which will permit a broadening of the center's services-addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income family households, neighborhoods and community. Primary service areas include economic development, housing, poverty, crime, juvenile justice, services for children and families, social service delivery, neighborhood planning and governance and the use of nonprofit and private resources in community development.

The president also asked for $936,000 million in support for items of significant importance to the state that were not funded in the governor's budget recommendation. These include:

• $65,000 in recurring and $200,000 in one-time funds in support of technological upgrades to deliver interactive instructional services to Southern Delaware, providing for the personnel, technical and equipment support that would link the Newark campus with an interactive classroom in Dover.

• $100,000 in additional funding for poultry disease research, targeted specifically at avian influenza, which could threaten poultry farms in Delaware.

• $70,000 for the Agricultural Education and Research Center in Georgetown, to enable videoconferencing between the center and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and significantly enhance UD's ability to deliver educational programs to Southern Delaware.

• An additional $50,000 for Local Government Assistance to be used in the Institute for Public Administration to expand training and applied research and to provide technical assistance to local governments in such areas as transportation planning, zoning and infrastructure development.

• $11,200 for inflationary increases in support funds associated with operations and $54,800 for support funds associated with special lines, to assist the University in meeting inflationary pressures.

• $40,000 for support of an interactive technology technical position, with responsibility for the operation and repair of video equipment at technical sites in Lewes, Dover and Georgetown.

• $100,000 for the Center for Disabilities Studies to improve the quality, quantity and range of public and private services for individuals with disabilities and their families.

• $50,000 for Crop Extension, to assist farmers in protecting and enhancing the environment through computerized application of agricultural chemicals and controlled planting and harvesting.

• $135,000 in expanded Cooperative Extension funding to broaden the activities associated with the statewide 4-H program.

• $60,000 in additional funds to expand the Master Gardener Program, to help homeowners use soil testing and integrated pest management technology around the home.

Photo by Jack Buxbaum