By John Staed
Thursday, October 15, 2009

CLEMSON UNIVERSITY — Research funding for Clemson University declined from 2008 to 2009, but much of that was because of a drop in state and local support, Clemson officials said.

Efforts to get federal stimulus money, however, could help offset the decline. Clemson had a total $151 million awarded from all sources in 2008, and $141 million in 2009. The fiscal year runs through July 30.

The information was disclosed during the quarterly trustees meeting Thursday at Clemson’s Madren Center.

Overall, the university saw growth in its federal research grants awarded, going from $83 million in 2008 to $87 million in 2009, said Chris Przirembel, vice president for research and economic development. But state funding declined from $38 million in 2008 to $27.7 million in 2009, he said.

The Department of Defense remains the largest source of research funding, representing 31 percent in 2009, followed by the Department of Health and Human Services, with 22 percent, and the Department of Energy, at 11 percent, he said.

Clemson, like all publicly funded colleges and universities in South Carolina, had to deal with sharp budget cuts last fiscal year, due to declining state tax revenues. That forced employee furloughs, early retirement packages and cuts in numerous programs. Many open jobs went unfilled.

The cuts totaled about $40.7 million in state funds alone. The school lost another $5 million from Clemson University Foundation funding. Clemson officials said state funding now stands at 1992 levels.

During a presentation to the trustees, John Ballato, assistant vice president for research, said Clemson has submitted numerous proposals to get a share of federal stimulus money, and has received $4.5 million through Sept. 25. He said requests for stimulus funds totaling $193.4 million are still pending, but competition for the money is intense.

Clemson faculty members have gone “above and beyond” their workload to do the work necessary to seek the stimulus money, Ballato said.

Wil Brasington, director of Clemson Alumni Association relations, said an in-depth survey conducted for the association by a national organization showed that Clemson alumni were pleased with their degrees and the university.

Asked what affected their opinion of Clemson, the more than 4,600 alumni who responded to the electronic survey said “value and respect for degree,” followed by “history and tradition,” “accomplishments of students,” “media visibility,” “outreach to the community,” “accomplishment of faculty,” “U.S. News & World Report rankings,” and “success of athletic teams.”

The U.S. News rankings refer to Clemson’s quest to reach the top 20 of national public universities in the annual rankings. It is now 22nd.

Brasington said the association needs to do a better job, however, reaching out to more recent graduates, especially informing them of job opportunities and chances to mentor students.

Tim Drake, Clemson staff senate president, said a pilot program to offer professional development has been successful, with many support staff interested in the program. Those who successfully complete it receive a 10 percent raise, up to $4,000.

The pilot project includes 25 people for its first year.

Today the trustees will consider a number of proposals, including:

- A Center for Economic Research on the Family, a proposed collaborative center for faculty and student research on family and economics. If approved, it would be led by the College of Business and Behavioral Science’s economics department and associated with the university’s emphasis area of family and community living.

- The addition of an audio technology emphasis in production studies in performing arts degree. Interest in audio technology has seen “rapid enrollment growth,” according to a proposal. Graduates with emphasis in the technology work with performing arts productions, live performance venues and churches, according to officials.

- Add a concentration in science education for chemistry. It would allow teachers to get a double major in chemistry and science education, which “will help to increase the number of students who pursue teaching as a career and provide greater career flexibility.”

- The Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering in the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences hopes to change its name to the Department of Biosystems Engineering.

The goal is to match the name with its engineering program and improve student recruiting, according to a letter from Young Han, interim chairman of the department.

The name change could help clear up some confusion “and present a simpler, clearer image to potential students,” Han wrote. The faculty has voted to change the name, he said.

- A proposed Small Ruminant Facility, to produce sheep for research, a forage-fed beef cattle facility and surgical suite for research work will go before the trustees today. The facilities would cost a total of $920,000.

“Facilities for the small ruminant flock are limited and lamb numbers needed for research projects are insufficient for the program,” according to the proposal.

State funds are available for the project, according to the proposal.