ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ

Charge

Establish a new Franke College that galvanizes ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ’s strengths by bringing together the departments of Environmental Studies, Geosciences, Society and Conservation, Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, and Forest Management. In joining these academic units within a single college, we will amplify our collective expertise in various fields related to the environment, sustainability, energy, earth systems, natural resources, and conservation to address problems through multiple perspectives via research, teaching, and policy engagement.

Background

In the spring of 2022, Dr. Pam Matson, the Goldman Professor of Environmental Studies at Stanford University, conducted a study of academic programs and research assets at the ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ. She notes,

Many of the faculty are truly working toward sustainability goals—combining different disciplines and different kinds of knowledge to help equitably meet the needs of people, today and in the future, while sustaining the ‘life support systems of the planet’—our environment, ecosystems, and resources (p. 2). 

The ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ has strengths in the areas of environment, sustainability, conservation, and earth system sciences that many universities do not have, in combination with unique field and experiment stations. Our collective research spans issues pertaining to natural resources, earth system dynamics, environmental health, and human-environment interactions. Much research happens through interdisciplinary teams, and the research is often both guided by and shared with a wide range of stakeholders to inform decision making.

If these strengths are combined, ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ’s position as a campus known for its work on environment, sustainability, conservation, and earth system sciences, would certainly be amplified and, as Dr. Matson noted, "the new College... would be like nothing else in the country" (p. 13). Remembering that our place is a strength and that we attract students, faculty, and staff who are committed to what ÀÏ»¢»ú¹¥ÂÔ offers is key. Cultivating curiosity about each of the involved units—what and how they teach and research—will likewise be key to fostering mutual respect.

Structurally uniting the departments of Environmental Studies, Geosciences, Society and Conservation, Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, and Forest Management under a new Franke College should begin now with the recognition that it will take time for the new college to come to full fruition.

Task Force

Leadership

Payton Gardner

Libby Metcalf

Membership

Andrew Wilcox, Geosciences

Cara Nelson, DECS

Robin Saha, EVST

Solomon Dobrowski, Forest Management

Keith Bosak, Society & Conservation

Meetings

Meetings will be held to discuss and draft the Level II proposal for establishing the College of Science. The Faculty Senate will publicly consider this proposal during Spring 2025. As a courtesy, these sessions are open to the public, with the first five minutes reserved for public comment. No official decisions will be made during these meetings.

The meeting schedule for after finals week is yet to be determined and will be posted as soon as it becomes available.