RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP, AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

 Strategy One

Promote nationally and internationally distinctive research and academic programs that value collaborative learning.

(supports USF St. Petersburg goals 1, 2, 4, and 7)

Overview

As the University of South Florida has evolved into one of the nation's top 100 public research institutions (Top American Research Universities, 2002 ), USF St. Petersburg, created in 1965 as the University's first and largest regional campus, now strives to establish its own separate and distinctive global identity while contributing to the overall mission and accomplishments of the USF multi-campus community.

In August 2000, the Florida Legislature mandated that USF St. Petersburg seek separate accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Achievement of this mandate remains the main priority for USF St. Petersburg because accreditation of its programs is paramount to establishing a national and international academic reputation.

Research at USF St. Petersburg creates new knowledge, improves the quality of life, and enhances the economic development of the people and communities it serves. Members of the USF St. Petersburg faculty have established growing national and international recognition for their research and scholarship. The following action points reflect USF St. Petersburg's commitment to further its research productivity and enhance its academic profile.

Actions

Accreditation

1.  Establish a national and international academic reputation by achieving institutional and program accreditation that will provide the foundation for research and scholarship.

• Pursue separate institutional SACS accreditation.
• Pursue separate accreditation by AACSB for College of Business programs.
• Pursue separate accreditation by NCATE for College of Education programs.
• Pursue separate accreditation by ACEJMC for Journalism and Media Studies.

Research Investments

1.  Direct research investments to support faculty in both established and emerging academic areas, including:

•  coastal water, environmental studies, and environmental policy

•  Florida studies

•  social responsibility and corporate reporting

•  journalism and media studies, including science journalism

•  leadership studies

•  science education

•  global business and public policy

•  health, education, and well being of children and families

2.  Strengthen the commitment to and capacity for interdisciplinary, collaborative research across colleges and academic programs.

3.  Expand the number of endowed professorships and chairs in a variety of disciplines, especially in Programs of Distinction.

4.  Increase the number of competitively compensated faculty commensurate with that of regional research universities in order to foster scholarship and creative works and to attract accomplished faculty from underrepresented groups.

5.  Increase the number of competitively funded graduate research assistantships commensurate with that of regional research universities to further support scholarship and creative works and to attract promising student researchers from underrepresented groups.

6.  Provide support for expanded undergraduate opportunities to engage in research, particularly in collaboration with faculty.

Graduate Program Development

1.  Establish new doctoral and master's programs in those interdisciplinary areas with the greatest potential for achieving national distinction, including educational leadership, journalism and media studies, environmental sciences, and social responsibility and corporate reporting.

2.  Develop new master's programs that contribute directly to the economic, educational, cultural, and social vitality of the state, region, and community.

3.  Develop new fellowships and other financial-aid incentives that focus on academic programs with a distinctive national presence.

Research Infrastructure

1.  Enhance the capacity to recruit and retain internationally recognized faculty, including individuals from underrepresented groups who have high potential to contribute to USF St. Petersburg's research objectives.

• Enhance start-up packages to aid in faculty recruitment
• Increase the number of graduate research assistants assigned to faculty
• Increase the number of faculty admitted to National Academies and selected to receive nationally competitive awards, such as Fulbright Fellowships
• Increase library holdings and services to support increased research

2.  Enhance the sponsored research infrastructure to support faculty applying for and obtaining external funding.

3.  Expand faculty workshops and services to promote grant applications and to expand research funding from external sources.

4.  Construct facilities to support interdisciplinary research in the natural and environmental sciences, such as additional research laboratories and the Science and Technology Complex.

5.  Expand facilities for the visual and performing arts to support academic programs and community involvement.

Economic and Community Development

1.  Improve the reputation of USF St. Petersburg as a catalyst for economic and technological development.

2.  Cultivate partnerships with businesses, schools, foundations, and community organizations to work in collaboration on research and scholarship that contributes to the social, economic, and intellectual life of the community.

3.  Establish research goals that identify and address the unique issues and problems facing the people and communities USF St. Petersburg serves.

Accountability

Selected Accountability Measures