Goals

Milestones

Performance Indicators

Progress/Results

Individuals Impacted

Student Engagement

Development of student run clubs and student engaged activities, on and off campus.

Establishment of student‐run organizations, activities, participation in TLC, SET House residence hall and campus facilities.

Four distinct, well‐attended ESE related clubs are in regular operation. Students participate in a wide variety of engaged learning and outreach activities with faculty, including research projects and participation in professional meetings.

Hire additional ESE and joint appointment faculty

Four joint appointment faculty searches were approved during FY12, with proposed tenure homes in ISYE, TECH, BIOS and ANTH

Craft search committees that fairly represent all constituencies. Successfully recruit top quality candidates for these interdisciplinary positions.

All four searches attracted large and impressive applicant pools and all concluded with the successful hiring of world‐class candidates. All have very strong academic, research and teaching credentials and all use fundamentally interdisciplinary approaches in their scholarship. At least two of the four had competing offers, but we were able to recruit our top choices because of the interdisciplinary nature of our program. Additional hires are sought for FY14.

Establishing and growing a Foundation account in support of ESE goals and mission (despite the lack of a pool of alumni, given
that the program is new.)

Establish a direct line‐item on the NIU Foundation website for cash donations earmarked for ESE/ENVS. Develop a brochure and a strategy designed to enhance outreach and foster community, alumni and industrial partnerships, including financial contributions to the foundation.

Cash and in‐kind donations
Hosting fund‐raising events
Distribution of our Community Outreach brochure to prospective supporters

ESE Institute is now listed as a donor target on Foundation documents and web page. The Foundation account has to date received several donations, including one “Dean’s Circle” donation. Outreach events include participation in trade shows and conferences, the annual Environmental Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater included a silent auction, and environment‐themed summer camps. Fundraising, in cooperation with the NIU Foundation and through direct appeal will begin in summer, 2012, when our brochure has been printed.

Programmatic and
Interdisciplinary research proposals

Preparation, submission and funding of interdisciplinary grant proposals that directly or indirectly support the ESE institute.

Interdisciplinary grant proposals submitted and funded.

Associates currently hold significant external awards, including an NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates program for an Environmental Think Tank (D. Changnon, PI). Current awards by formal ESE Associates total $5.6 million in 27 individual grants. An additional $9.5 million is requested in 12 submitted interdisciplinary, proposals pending agency decision. After further examination of funding solicitations it was determined that a grant program for development of a graduate program (e.g., IGERT, PIRE) will need to wait until our graduate program is formally established.

Interdisciplinary graduate
Program development

Identification of a proposed new graduate program structure and theme. Submission to and approval of the proposed program through the NIU curricular process, Provostal approval; IBHE submission and approval.

Identify theme(s) and structure, engage stakeholders in the developmental process, seek all necessary approvals to move forward.

The theme for the initial phase of graduate program development is complete. The goal is to establish an accredited Professional Science Master’s program in Water Resources Management. Thematic approval has been acquired from Deans of CLAS, CBUS and the Graduate School. A proposal will be prepared during FY13 with the goal of submission to IBHE by the end of FY13.

Student success

Continue to grow undergraduate enrollment and demonstrate student success in establishing student internships and post-graduation career success.

Attaining enrolment and recruiting goals; begin graduating students with ENVS degrees. Our first formal graduates will come in December, 2012.

We predicted that we would attain 100 majors/minors by the start of our second year of operation. Current enrolments are 58 majors and 28 minors, and several others awaiting MyNIU revision before they formally declare the major. By the start of the fall 2012 term, given those who have expressed intent to enroll, we will meet or exceed last year’s enrolment goal. We are early in our high school outreach program so many HS counselors and teachers remain unaware of our new program. As this changes we anticipate significant growth. Incoming student data shows that we are attracting diverse and high‐achieving students (mean ACT=24.7) and Honors admits.

Complete and ratify ESE bylaws

Submitted to CLAS Dean for comment; Revised following continued feedback from ESE Associates.

Approval and ratification by Associates

Bylaws have not yet been formally ratified. After much internal discussion of provisions, all sections have, as of May 2, 2012, been approved by our Associates. Final language will be voted on at the next Associate’s meeting, then submitted to the Dean and CLAS College Council by September 1, 2012.

Establish external Advisory Board

Gathered list of >15 potential Board members
from academia, NGO, and the public and private sector, including industry and the legal/legislative sector. Many of those selected are considered potential employers of our graduates or mentors for
interns. The Board will advise on different aspects of our program and mission.

Board will be formalized only after bylaws are ratified and executive
committee formally defines the role and responsibility of Board
members

We plan to have the Board established and seated by January, 2013.

Office Staff: Upgrading Office Support Associate to Office Manager

Two formal requests to date have been made.

The work‐load and complexity of the job continues to increase as
enrolment and faculty numbers increase.

Expansion of interdisciplinary
research grants further define the need for additional and/or upgraded office support.

All such requests to date have been denied, but this remains a priority.