The Whitworthian

Issue date: 4/15/08 Last Updated: 4/16/08

NOTE: This article contains a correction.

One of the university's goals is to continue to expand the science facilities, according to the 2005-2010 strategic plan.

Richard Stevens, associate professor of physics, said he has reservations about the new center.

"No one asked the question of why we should build a lab for a faculty member who doesn't do any research," he said. "The lack of research is due to administrative policies and decisions, lack of financial support and leadership. There was no restraint or rationality exercised."

Craig Tsuchida, associate professor of biology and chair of the biology department, said there has been an increased emphasis for faculty and students to be engaged in research.

Michael Le Roy, vice president for Academic Affairs, said one of the university's goals is to increase the amount of science research being done.

Stevens said there is a need for grants in order to be able to have a need for the same kinds of facilities as competitor institutions.

"To me, the lack of research is the pressing issue," Stevens said. "We are spending money on labs to keep up with other institutions."

Deanna Ojennus, associate professor of chemistry*,  said lab space is needed to complete research, which is a graduation requirement in order to receive a B.S. in chemistry, Ojennus said.

Le Roy said students can either assist professors with their published work and get paid for it, or do their own independent research.

Ojennus said three years ago, the sciences received a two-year grant from the Murdoch Foundation to fund junior faculty scholarship. Whitworth matched some of those funds in order to provide student stipends, she said.

"The grant was intended to get us started," Ojennus said. "We have to keep the ball rolling."

She said a goal is to provide more research opportunities on campus.

Whitworth offers an undergraduate summer science research fellowship program, supported by Whitworth and external funders, Ojennus said.

A total of 10 fellowships are available to students this summer, she said.

"In 2005, [science] research activity peaked," Stevens said. "Since that time, there has been a steady decline."

Stevens was the director for the Murdoch grant. He was previously the science research coordinator from 2003 to 2005.

Stevens said there has been a poor record in receiving grants compared to comparable institutions.

Since 2006, there has been one grant, according to data on external grants.

There have been 37 grants for curriculum, research, faculty development and equipment since 1997, totaling about $1.3 million, according to the data.

Stevens said last summer, there was outside funding for research for five faculty members.

This summer, due to the end of the two-year grant from the Murdoch Foundation, there was outside funding for two faculty members with university funding for three additional faculty, he said.

Brian Benzel, vice president for finance and administration, said initiative for seeking grants come from faculty with particular areas of interest.

"We are well-positioned to do research," Benzel said.

Contact Julie Wootton at julie.wootton@whitworthian.com.

Read related article: "Science center funding on top agenda"

*In the original posting, Deanna Ojennus' position was incorrectly identified. Ojennus is an associate professor of chemistry.

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