Provost’s & GSBS Dean’s Report – Faculty Senate 2/13/12

Provost Report:

• GSBS Dean has served since 2007 as UTMB representative to THECB Formula Advisory Committee (HRI Subcommittee). Subcommittee met in Austin monthly from August to December. Committee meets every other year to make recommendations to the THECB Commissioner for requests by THECB for formula funding by the Texas legislature. Committee final report was approved Dec 20, 2011. Report makes recommendations for increased funding over next 2 biennia for all parts of the formula – Instruction & Operations, Infrastructure, Research Enhancement, and Graduate Medical Education (GME). As promised last month, a copy of the final report submitted to the THECB commissioner is attached for the Senate.

· UT System Graduate School Deans (Graduate School Deans Council) met in Austin Sat, Jan 21, 2012 to discuss responses to the Chancellor’s Framework for Advancing Excellence throughout the University of Texas System. Dr. Patricia Hurn Associate Vice Chancellor for Research from UT System hosted the meeting. Meeting was very successful so a UT graduate school deans council has been formed that will meet formally 2x/year.

· UT System has announced 2 new Stars programs. Announcement and high level description are attached. Details will be coming soon.

Dean Report

· GSBS plans for Annual Dean’s Lecture at Homecoming, March 9-10, 2012.

This year’s speaker will be Dr. Monte Pettitt who joined UTMB Jan 1, 2012 as Director of the Sealy Center for Structural Biology, Professor of BMB, and holder of the Welch Chair in Chemistry. Dr. Pettitt comes from the U of Houston and current serves as Chair of the Keck Center/GCC Oversight Committee. This is a chance to hear about the research from one of our recent prize faculty recruits.

· GSBS Commencement will be held in Levin Hall May 4, 2012 at 4:00 pm. We are seeking nominations for 3 awards to be awarded at commencement - Distinguished Faculty Research, Distinguished Teacher, and Distinguished Service to the GSBS.