Recipient Organization
UNIV OF ARKANSAS
(N/A)
PINE BLUFF,AR 71601
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) 2023-2025 Facilities Program Grant aims to enhance and strengthen the university's land-grant mission. The grant will upgrade facilities and equipment necessary for UAPB to continue to serve its clientele and stakeholders in Arkansas and the nation. Thus, the proposed five-year funding of $4,928,770 will be distributed over research 33%, Extension 34%, and teaching 33%. This five-year plan of work will focus on the following specific objectives: 1. Upgrades to UAPB's Aquaculture Research Station ponds and operational facilities 2. Equipment for Improving Academic Support for Food Service and Hospitality and Tourism Programs 3. Remodel Poultry Science Research Laboratory 4. Enhancements to Facilities and Purchase of Modular Units on Lonoke Farm 5. S.J. Parker Research Building Upgrades 6. Install Pre-Fabricated Campus Greenhouse This proposal will support and extend the capabilities of the programs described in the UAPB Combined Research and Extension Plan of Work (2023-2028) and the University's 2023-2030 Strategic Plan - Strategic Priority 1: Create and sustain a culture of academic excellence, success, and renewal necessary to grow enrollment and Goal 1: Strengthen and grow the university's enrollment by enhancing access, flexibility, and responsiveness to meet the changing educational needs of students, and Goal 3: Promote excellence in teaching, research, and service. and Strategic Priority 3: Modernize and upgrade University Infrastructure and facilities and Goal 1: Fully modernize campus facilities and infrastructure to create an environment that is accessible and inviting to students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the greater community.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
60%
Applied
40%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAhing 33%.PB) 2023-2025 Facilities Program Grant aims to enhance and strengthen the university's land-grant mission. The grant will upgrade facilities and equipment necessary for UAPB to continue to serve its clientele and stakeholders in Arkansas and the nation. This five-year plan of work will focus on the following specific goals/objectives:1. Upgrades to UAPB's Aquaculture Research Station ponds and operational facilities2. Equipment for Improving Academic Support for Food Service and Hospitality and Tourism Programs3. Construction/Remodel Poultry Science Research Laboratory4. Enhancements to Facilities and Purchase of Modular Units on Lonoke Farm5. S.J. Parker Research Building Upgrades and Equipment6. Install/ReplacePre-Fabricated Campus Greenhouse
Project Methods
The proposed activities include the upgrades of facilities for farm research, reengineering the aquaculture and fisheries ponds and research facilities, acquisition of commercial kitchen equipment for meeting industry and accreditation standards, renovation of the poultry research lab and campus greenhouse, and facilities upgrades for our Lonoke and Marianna Farms. These activities require stakeholder involvement of inputs for problem identification, planning, implementation and evaluation. The stakeholders also include the researchers, extension specialists and extension agents who are internal to the University. With regard to the external stakeholder involvement, the academic departments and Extension unit have formed advisory committees that include experienced and knowledgeable agricultural sciences practitioners, farmers, and alumni. Internal committees within the university consisting of faculty members, researchers, extension specialists, and assistant deans will be formed. The extension program leaders will also assist in identifying extension functions for UAPB during this funding period.All functions related to the planning for the use of facilities will be coordinated by Dr. Bruce McGowan, the Interim Dean/Director (PD) of the School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences (SAFHS), who reports to the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (PVCAA).The Interim Dean/Director with the assistance of the Dean's direct reports which comprises of the Assistant Dean for Research (Co-PD), Assistant Dean for Extension, and Department Chairs will effectively provide leadership and coordination for the phases of planning and coordination for all objectives. The upgrade and/or renovation of the facilities and management of all facilities improvements will be the responsibility of Mr. Ronald Reynolds, SAFHS Facilities Manager. Terrell Langley, University Director of Facilities Management (DOFM), will supervise and coordinate the construction-related activities, and coordinate all requests for change orders during construction. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs (AVCFA) will assist the team in all necessary coordination needed for bidding all contracts related to design/construction and construction management with the Business Affairs Office.The selection of architects and contractors for planning and renovation will be by a committee comprising of the PVCAF, PD, Co-PD, DOFM, and the AVCFA. The necessary interactions needed for input from the external stakeholders will be coordinated by the PD. The SAFHS facilities manager will be responsible for all coordination with NIFA for processing the pre-approvals required for construction and equipment purchases.Coordination required for the Teaching Kitchen which will involve Extension and academics, will be carried out by the PD, and Dr. William Burrus (food service faculty/chef), and the department chair (Dr. Marilyn Bailey). The PD will provide leadership for the functional requirements of the kitchen in conjunction with the department chair, the PVCAA, and the Assistant Dean for Extension. The input from community stakeholders will be handled by the PD and Dr. William Burrus, food service faculty and chef.All equipment requirements will be assessed by Dr. Christopher Mathis, Co-PD, with input from researchers, the department chairs, and the Associate Dean for Extension. Farm research will be mainly driven by stakeholders' input through the UAPB Cooperative Extension Program (CEP). The SAFHS facilities manager will coordinate obtaining the necessary approval for purchasing equipment and modular facilities from NIFA. The equipment requirements for research and extension will be for the areas of soil science, horticulture, entomology, food science, exercise science and public health. It is expected that the research equipment will also be used for teaching. We propose to obtain equipment for instruction in the areas of food service, sustainable agriculture, poultry science, water resources management, and agricultural engineering. Purchase of modular facilities will be managed by the SAFHS facilities manager, and set-up activities will be outsourced for vendors.