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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Unit Plan- Department of Entomology 

(February, 1999)

VISION: To enhance the national and international reputation of the Department as a leader in the discipline of Entomology through quality teaching, service to the public, and the generation and application of scientific research.

MISSION: To further develop basic and applied programs of study that provide environmentally-responsible solutions to problems associated with insect pests, that increase our knowledge of insect biology, and that provide training for the next generation of leaders in the field of Entomology.

I.) The Department is recognized as a national and international leader in Integrated Pest Management. Because of the relevance of agricultural research to the citizens of Louisiana, and the increased public perception of the adverse effects of agrochemicals in the environment, this emphasis must be maintained and strengthened.

II.) Management of insects that attack humans, our dwellings, and our companion animals in urban environments is of increasing public concern. We propose establishment of a new "research concentration" that expands the Department’s existing strength in management of urban pests.

III.) Conservation of natural resources and biodiversity is becoming increasingly important as demands on the environment accelerate due to population expansion. The Entomology Department has established expertise in systematics as well as biodiversity studies, and is poised to capitalize on the emerging field of conservation biology. Research in this area will be strengthened and expanded to include aquatic environments.

IV.) The excellence of the Department of Entomology is reflected by the high degree of success enjoyed by its graduates entering the job market. However, as the field of Entomology evolves, the educational background necessary for continued success has changed. The Department must redouble its efforts to recruit high caliber students, strengthen offerings of "core" Entomology courses (e.g., Insect Physiology), and modify its curriculum to offer graduate students the training necessary to compete successfully for positions in the academic, commercial and public sectors.

I. Maintain and enhance strength in Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

Objective A: Continue to provide solutions to pest problems using environmentally-sound and sustainable methods.

Actions:

1.) present results from commodity-related research at meetings and in appropriate publications^‡

2.) increase the use of diverse and environmentally-friendly control tactics

Objective B: Encourage participation of faculty and scientists from outside the Entomology Department in IPM-related research and training

Actions:

1.) increase number of faculty from other disciplines on graduate student committees

2.) create an interdisciplinary "Special Topics" course in IPM

3.) increase number of grants and publications from interdepartmental teams

Objective C: Enhance dissemination and implementation of results to end users through increased collaborations between research and extension

Actions:

1.) initiate regular meetings between members of the Department and counterparts within the LCES

2.) create a joint webpage with LCES entomologists

3.) create joint appointments with LCES where appropriate

*(Constraint: Administrative approval necessary for joint appointments)*

Objective D: Support and cooperate in the ongoing formation of an interdepartmental, undergraduate curriculum in IPM

Action: create new (or modify existing) courses to be offered by Entomology as components of this curriculum

Timeline: Goal I YEAR

1999/2000         2001         2005         2010 Champion

Objective A1 ------>------>------>------>------->-------->-------> Guillot

       2                                                         ------->-------> Reagan

Objective B1 ------>------>------>------>------->-------->-------> Guillot

                     2                                 ------>------->-------->-------> Stout

                     3                                                         ------->-------> Guillot

Objective C1 ------>------>------>------>------->-------->-------> Ottea

        2                                 ------>------->-------->-------> Riley

                     3                                                         ------->-------> Guillot

Objective    D                                           ------->-------->-------> Johnson

Objective A: Increase scope and recognition of current program in UPM

Actions:

1.) hire a new faculty member to work on management of urban pests

*(Constraint: Administrative approval necessary to create new position or modify description of vacant/vacated position)*

2.) increase number of students within UPM program

3.) organize a research-oriented conference/workshop on UPM

*(Constraint: availability of funding for conference)*

Objective B: Ensure that adequate facilities are available to UPM researchers

Action: create common/adjacent space for UPM researchers

Objective C: Increase efforts in outreach/education for citizens of LA

Action:

1.) develop a joint web page with LCES to highlight applications of recent research

2.) coordinate a citizen-oriented "Open House" to highlight research and extension activities in Entomology

Timeline: Goal II YEAR

1999/2000         2001         2005         2010 Champion

Objective A1                                                  ------->----------> Guillot

        2 ------>------>------>------>------->------>---------> Guillot

                     3                                                    ------- >---------> Henderson

Objective B    ------>------>------>------>------->------>---------> Guillot

Objective C1  ------>------>------>------>------->------>---------> Riley

Objective A: Enhance multidisciplinary systematic and biodiversity research

Actions:

1.) participate in establishment of a unified "umbrella" organization (e.g., Louisiana Natural History Museum) for museum collections at LSU

2.) collaborate with the LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. Forest Service to survey unstudied ecosystems in the State

Objective B: Expand the focus of systematic research to include neotropical and aquatic insects

Actions:

1.) publish monographs and taxonomic revisions of inadequately characterized neotropical insect taxa

2.) hire a new faculty member with expertise in aquatic entomology

*(Constraint: Administrative approval and funding necessary to create new position or modify description of vacant/vacated position)*

3.) establish long-term relationships with parks or preserves in neotropical countries to catalog fauna and do systematic research

Objective C: Enhance dissemination of taxonomic and systematic information

Action: develop a webpage to publicize services provided by the Louisiana State Arthropod Museum and to serve the identification needs of the public

1999/2000         2001         2005         2010 Champion

Objective A1                                                     ------->---------> Carlton

       2 ------>------>------>---->----->---->----->---------> Prowell

Objective B1                                                     ------->---------> Carlton

       2                                                     ------->---------> Guillot

       3 ------>------>------>---->----->----->---->---------> Carlton

Objective C1 ------>------>------>---->----->----->---->---------> Carlton

STRATEGIC GOALS: (cont.)

IV. Attract and train quality graduate students:

Objective A: Improve nationwide recruitment of graduate students

Actions:

1.) update and improve the Entomology webpage

2.) produce a brochure to advertise research concentrations and program strengths within the Department

3.) increase graduate student stipends to competitive level

*(Constraint: Administrative approval required)*

4.) increase the visibility of Department at national and regional meetings (e.g.,through participation in Linnean Games or Department mixer)

Objective B: Increase efforts to recruit graduate students from regional or local pools

Actions:

1.) increase enrollment in cross-listed courses

2.) develop freshman/sophomore-level course in Entomology (e.g., "Insects and Humans")

3.) increase the number of undergraduates involved in Ent research

Objective C: Modify curriculum to meet changing needs of Ent students

Actions:

1.) develop course in "Aquatic Entomology" as expertise becomes available

*(Constraint: Department has no Aquatic Entomologist)

2.) hire an Insect Physiologist/Biochemist to develop a research program and teach a course in "Insect Physiology"

*(Constraint: Administrative approval and funding are necessary)*

3.) develop "Special Topics" courses covering timely subjects 

(e.g. biotechnology, neotropical insect diversity) to increase the breadth of course offerings

4.) increase the breadth of existing IPM curriculum through development of a course in "Insect Ecology" and a new course that includes quantitative aspects of IPM

5.) develop a graduate-level course in UPM

6.) revitalize the Department’s "Distinguished Lecturer Series"

*(Constraint: funding to support "outside" speakers)

Objective D:Improve the quality of existing courses

Actions:

1.) increase the use of available technology (e.g., web-based and distance learning; digital imaging) in course offerings

2.) increase attendance at University "teaching workshops"

3.) promote review of course syllabi by experts at peer institutions

4.) promote external review of Entomology courses by members of the Center for Faculty Development

STRATEGIC GOALS: (cont.)

5.) improve the quality of teaching space and equipment (e.g., microscopes)

*(Constraint: funding for equipment is extremely limited)*

1999/2000         2001         2005        2010 Champion

Objective A1             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->------->  Guillot

                    2              ------>------>----->------>------->-------->------->  (formerly Meek)

       3             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->------->  Guillot

       4             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->------->  Guillot

Objective B1            ------>------>----->------>------->-------->------->  Prowell

                     2                                                                --------->-------> Ottea

                     3             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Ottea

Objective C1                                          ------>------->-------->-------> Guillot

                     2                                          ------>------->-------->-------> Guillot

                     3             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Stout

                     4                                                                -------->-------> Johnson

                     5                                                                -------->-------> Foil

                     6                       ------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Ottea

Objective D1            ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Carlton

                     2             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Prowell

                     3             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Ottea

                     4             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Stout

                     5             ------>------>----->------>------->-------->-------> Guillot

Appendix 2: Responses from graduate student survey: (27 distributed /23 returned)

Q1. Why did you choose LSU-Entomology for graduate study?

1. reputation of the department – 4.35%
2. reputation of faculty – 30.04%
3. recommendation of former student or professor – 17.39%
4. availability of support – 26.09%
5. other – 21.74%

• "I was encouraged by an employee in industry; during employment, I worked jointly with a faculty member and was impressed."
• "Research Associate"
• "I was in another department and switched due to common interest with research professor."
• "Switched departments"
• "Dr. Foil"

Yes – 60.87%

• 92.86% were accepted to other departments
• 7.14% were not accepted.

No – 39.13% did not apply elsewhere

1. very important – 56.52%
2. somewhat important – 34.78%
3. neutral – 4.35%
4. minor importance – 0%
5. not important – 4.35%

1. strongly agree (level is adequate) - 4.35%
2. agree – 8.75%
3. no strong feelings – 21.74%
4. disagree – 47.83%
5. strongly disagree (level is inappropriate) – 17.39%

1. faculty – 22.73%
2. course offerings – 9.09%
3. high potential for career placement – 4.55%
4. reputation for strong applied programs – 50%
5. reputation for strong fundamental/basic programs – 0%
6. other – 13.64%

• "I feel our department strength does not come form one or two of these areas/categories. Rather, it is a strong department because of multiple factors that compliment each other."
• "High potential for career placement & reputation for strong applied programs"
• "Available resources"

Q6. What do you consider the major weakness of the Department?

1. faculty – 4.55%
2. course offerings – 27.27%
3. low potential for career placement – 9.09%
4. shortage for strong applied programs – 9.09%
5. shortage for strong fundamental/basic programs – 13.64%
6. other – 36.36%

• "Faculty near retirement no longer recruit students"
• "Low support of funding"
• "Poor assistantships"
• "Opportunity for students to gain teaching experience"
• "Faculty and lack of basic program"
• "Teaching aids (i.e., micro and dissecting scopes)"
• "I don’t know"
• "Graduate students (i.e., number of and quality)"

1. Academic – 34.78%
2. Industry – 8.7%
3. government (includes military) – 13.04%
4. extension – 4.35%
5. consultant – 13.04%
6. undecided – 26.09%

• if undecided, are you receiving guidance needed to make a career decisions

  yes – 60%

  no – 40%

1. other – 0%

1. strongly agree – 39.13%
2. agree – 47.83%
3. no strong feelings – 4.35%
4. disagree – 8.7%
5. strongly disagree – 0%

1. strongly agree – 34.78%
2. agree – 39.13%
3. no strong feelings – 21.74%
4. disagree – 0%
5. strongly disagree – 4.35%

1. extremely satisfied – 8.7%
2. satisfied – 65.22%
3. no strong feelings – 21.74%
4. dissatisfied – 4.35%
5. extremely dissatisfied – 0%

Assistantships:

• "My major professor offered to pay tuition from a grant, but he was told that he couldn’t. He tried to get me more money, but he was told no. If a professor wants to supplement a student, the professor should be able to. Many universities wave tuition for graduate students. If they waived tuition, then what we get paid would be adequate."

• "We do need to increase the assistantship to attract more high quality students."

• "Waive tuition"

• "It would be nice if tuition payments were waived for graduate students (in addition to the existing assistantships)."

• "There needs to be a waiver of tuition. Systems which rely on graduate student money from tuition are antiquated and unreasonable."

• "Faculty supportiveness was addressed in the survey in terms of their student’s research. Nothing was said about how they are in terms of departmental problems. It seems the overwhelming majority of professors will listen to students, however, they say "Don’t rock the boat." No matter what the circumstance is, they tell us not to stand up for what we know is right or wrong. I don’t know whether it is because they know nothing will change or that they don’t want their name associated with the student that spoke up."

• "I think the faculty intelligence level is outstanding; however, they let political and personal issues get in the way. Students are very aware that certain professors don’t like other professors. More advanced students advise newer students "to not have Dr. X on your committee if you have Dr. Y because they don’t get along…you’ll pay a price for it you do."

• "Faculty are extremely attentive to students when it comes to conducting research, and encouraging participation in meetings, such as stressing oral/poster presentations, Linean Games, student debate contest, etc. However, if students have other problems such as complaints/constructive criticisms about classes or the department, etc., their opinions are ignored, or not taken seriously by faculty and administration."

• "We need to open more courses for students."

• "I feel the most important part of the program is the students, being a student myself, and that it is critical to the improvement of the department to increase student numbers and quality. It is through the student’s training and dispersal into all types of positions that the department provides one of its most important services. Suggestions for improved #’s: recruitment, increase LSU name recognition, work on web page. Suggestions for improved quality: higher standards for admissions and/or stricter guidelines for passing generals."