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Don McKay Future of State Geological Surveys AASG Dubuque, IA June 13, 2011

Challenges and Opportunities for University-based vs. State-based Surveys -- One View from Both Sides --. Don McKay Future of State Geological Surveys AASG Dubuque, IA June 13, 2011. Background – Illinois State Geological Survey. 1905-2008 103 years in State Government

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Don McKay Future of State Geological Surveys AASG Dubuque, IA June 13, 2011

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  1. Challenges and Opportunities for University-based vs. State-based Surveys-- One View from Both Sides -- Don McKay Future of State Geological SurveysAASG Dubuque, IA June 13, 2011

  2. Background – Illinois State Geological Survey • 1905-2008 103 years in State Government • Department of Registration and Education • Institute of Natural Resources • Department of Energy and Natural Resources • Department of Natural Resources • 2008–2011 3 years in the University of Illinois • Vice President for Research • Prairie Research Institute, Bill Shilts, Executive Director • Illinois State Geological Survey • Illinois State Water Survey • Illinois Natural History Survey • Illinois StateArchaeological Survey • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  3. Preparing to Move: ~2004-2008 • We (all 4 surveys) were not thriving in DNR and could see a bad end coming: • Hiring freezes; no raises year upon year • Steady budget cuts and headcount losses • Travel restrictions, sweeping of support lines, etc., etc. • We were ready to bail out. • We asked State Geologists in Universities to advise us. • We told to everyone that we wanted out: our Governing Board, University and elected officials, DNR administrators, lobbyists, other people of influence... • “We belong in the University of Illinois.” • Spring 2008 we were notified that the Gov’s Office had called the University and that we would be transferred. • July 1, 2008, we moved administratively to University of Illinois and we began wondering exactly who had done what and how it all came together.

  4. State-to-University Move Checklist • Lay the groundwork, telling every influential person you can of your objectives, because you may not know who will make the difference. • Be located on a campus, so that a physical move is not required. • Be part of a 4-Survey block that has strong stakeholder support. • Have half your staff already on the University payroll. • Have your whole staff in the State University Retirement System. • Arrange to have a scheming Governor (Blagojevich or similar) who will take selfish action to: • cut your budget by 15% in order to redirect funds to his own purposes. • put you in a university to redirect your state headcounts to his purposes.

  5. Checklist continued • Time your departure from the state agency to precede the state’s budget collapse. • Leave abruptly to foil the DNR’s plan to cushion their fall with your budget. • Elect a new Governor who will tap agency budgets and entitlements more than university budgets. • Have a close working relationship with local legislators who will take care of you by: • ensuring that your legislative mandates transfer with you, and • giving you a separate budget line to insulate you from University budget predators • Land in a top-flight research university that grasps your raison d'être. • Report to the research leadership at the University

  6. Progress and remaining Issues • Stable State appropriation • Separate budget line for 3 yrs. • Access to US Congress has been sustained • Institute of 5 Surveys; staff of 700 = weight • Research institutes are a favored approach • No headcount limits • Raises and promotions possible • Univ. Admin. is taking ownership • University Legal Counsel is the best • Faculty Senate representation • Ties to campus/faculty enhanced • Access to students enhanced • New high-speed network installed • Static State appropriation • University appropriation under pressure • University taking more of the indirects • Expectations of sustained growth • Staff classifications are a poor fit • Pressures to be more like faculty • Some staff desire faculty perks • Creeping unionization • Long notice-rights periods • Bureaucracy Bottom line Being a Division of a Research Institute of the University of Illinois is much better than being an emaciated Division of an Office of a state agency and a squatter on the university campus. We are very fortunate to have made the move intact and had it occur when it did.

  7. Comments/Questions Don McKay mckay@isgs.illinois.edu emckay@illinois.edu 217 333-0044

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