Performing Department
Cooperative Extension Service
Non Technical Summary
As a result of the institutional effectiveness process (planning, resource allocation, and assessment) "Focus 2015" is the guide for strategic planning for the University. This document outlines several goals that guide the institutional units in their planning. These goals include; (1) create an academic environment that is internationally known for its scholarship, high student achievement, first order faculty, inclusion, leadership, and commitment to service for the common good; (2) provide a campus environment that is aesthetically pleasing, physically safe, technologically efficient, historically preserved, and meets the programmatic needs of the University; and (3) upgrade and expand state-of-the-art technology and equipment to support the University's infrastructure, including instruction, and research, and administrative effectiveness. "Focus 2015" provides the umbrella for the College of Agricultural Life and Natural Sciences' (CALN) and Extension goals and initiatives that have been outlined to address the enhancement and advancement of the infrastructure for program offerings in research, Extension and academics in the Food and Agricultural Sciences. Facilities Grants Funds will continue to provide resources to help realize the College's and Extension's goals and initiatives to include: Provide comprehensive, disciplinary and multidisciplinary instructional programs in traditional and new fields of agriculture, natural resources, food science, family and consumer sciences, agribusiness, and community planning. The end result is to significantly increase the number of students, particularly African Americans, receiving high quality training and resultant degrees in Food and Agricultural Sciences. Maintain, improve, and expand the College's capability in basic and applied research; by equipping the teaching and research laboratories and field research and demonstration sites with state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation, computer equipment, and related technologies to enhance student training for 21stCentury Food and Agricultural Sciences. Facilitate student and client learning through experiential, face-to-face, distance learning and virtual learning opportunities; and Maintain, improve, and expand the College's capability in teaching, Extension, and basic and applied research through obtaining state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. The goals and objectives of the first year facilities plan in support of the College's and Extension's goals are: Goal 1: Expand research, teaching, and Extension capabilities through facilities upgrade as identified in the following objectives: Objective/Outcome 1: Renovate and refurbish the poultry building for the establishment of an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accredited facility for research and hands-on teaching purposes using small and medium size animals. Objective/Outcome 2: Renovate and refurbish space to house the Center of Excellence in Nutrition with a focus on obesity. Objective/Outcome 3: Renovate interior space for the purpose of establishing a virtual simulation (3D) Modeling facility in urban and regional Planning. Objective/Outcome 4: Upgrade the Agribition Center arena and construct a model urban and small farm cooperative facility for the purpose of providing quality training, low cost inputs, and a viable means for locally produced product marketing. Goal 2: Expand research, teaching and Extension capabilities through the acquisition of state-of-the art equipment as identified in the following objectives. Objective/Outcome 1: Purchase/Acquire state-of-the art equipment to advance research in chemistry, reproductive physiology and endocrinology, engineering /processing, food product development, and mammalian cell culture. Objective/Outcome 2: Purchase research equipment for nutrition including for the Center for the study of Obesity. Objective/Outcome 3: Acquire and utilize state of the art equipment in GIS, water resources, soil analysis and Plant physiology, cell biology to infuse technology in hands-on learning in teaching laboratories and smart classrooms. . Objective/Outcome 4: Expand Extension's capabilities through distance education and virtual learning. Each of the objectives and associated outcomes listed above will be evaluated based on their impact on enhancing undergraduate or graduate education, faculty and staff productivity as determined by measurable achievements attained in research (measured e.g., by research publications) and in Extension (e.g., by demonstrations and community or leadership training impacts). The goals and objects are related to NIFA's purposes and priorities regarding the acquisition and improvement of agricultural and food sciences facilities and equipment.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
100%
Goals / Objectives
Goal 1: Expand research, teaching, and Extension capabilities through facilities upgrade as identified in the following objectives: Objective/Outcome 1: Renovate and refurbish the poultry building for the establishment of an Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) accredited facility for research and hands-on teaching purposes using small and medium size animals. Objective/Outcome 2: Renovate and refurbish space to house the Center of Excellence in Nutrition with a focus on obesity. Objective/Outcome 3: Renovate interior space for the purpose of establishing a virtual simulation (3D) Modeling facility in urban and regional Planning. Objective/Outcome 4: Upgrade the Agribition Center arena and plan for the construction a model urban and small farm cooperative facility for the purpose of providing quality training, low cost inputs, and a viable means for locally produced product marketing. Goal 2: Expand research, teaching and Extension capabilities through the acquisition of state-of-the art equipment as identified in the following objectives. Objective/Outcome 1: Purchase/Acquire state-of-the art equipment to advance research in chemistry, reproductive physiology and endocrinology engineering /processing, food product development, and mammalian cell culture. Objective/Outcome 2: Purchase research equipment for nutrition including for the Center for the study of Obesity. Objective/Outcome 3: Acquire and utilize state of the art equipment in GIS, water resources, soil analysis and Plant physiology, cell biology to infuse technology in hands-on learning in teaching laboratories and smart classrooms. . Objective/Outcome 4: Expand Extension's capabilities through distance education and virtual learning.
Project Methods
The methods for this project will include following the institutional and NIFA guidelines for facilities renovation and equipment acquisition for the 1890 Facilities Program: 1. Preassessment renovation planning and preparation for the bid process as appropriate. 2. Equipment identification and preparation for implementing the bid process as apropriate. 3. Implementation of renovation activities. 4. Equipment acquisition.