OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR STRONG GEOSCIENCE DEPARTMENTS: RESULTS OF A NATIONAL SURVEY

During the 2003-2004 academic year, we surveyed 63 geoscience departments, drawn primarily from the research-intensive institutions in the American Association of Universities, on the challenges, threats and opportunities they felt they faced in the next 3-5 years, and the role that planning played, or could play, in addressing departmental needs. The survey was completed at over an 80% rate, and while confirming that not all geoscience departments are identical in their needs and issues, found a large number of issues common among many departments, even considering the very wide range of departments involved (over at least an order of magnitude in size and resources). For example:

• Many departments see opportunities in large, community-wide initiatives such as EarthScope, and in interdisciplinary science, in the next 3-5 years.

• Most departments felt that the biggest threat in the next 3-5 years was declining resources, and the associated problems (faculty retention, lab support, etc.).

• For departments facing faculty retention issues, many recognized the benefit of pre-emptive measures. Responding to outside offers, many found benefit in strong, prompt counter offers, and the growing need to address spousal/partner job issues.

• In terms of recruiting faculty, the strategy most commonly cited was substantial start-up packages.

• For both graduate and undergraduate students, recruitment was much more of an issue than retention. Recruitment strategies were quite variable, but involved lots of personal contact.

• The vast majority of departments felt it was important to integrate, or balance, research and education. The most commonly cited example was undergraduate research opportunities.

• Planning was seen as overwhelmingly valuable, but written comments carried an undertone of frustration with planning in a rapidly varying environment. Planning was found most useful for faculty hiring plans and for curriculum reform/revision.