UConn Research Dollars Increase, More Is Needed for AAU Membership

[LoyalFanCT]

The Hartford Courant reported Dr. Radenka Maric, UConn's vice president for research, innovation and entrepreneurship,
estimated that the school would likely need to generate award dollars in the $500 million range to be considered for membership with the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only group of 66 of the country’s top research institutions.

Other criteria for consideration by the AAU include membership in national academies, faculty awards and citations of university faculty research.

AAU membership is a near requirement for B10 membership.

After UConn researchers secure record-high research funding, Board of Trustees eyes next step

UConn officials touted the strides in research funding the university has made in recent years during Wednesday’s Board of Trustees meeting, but stressed that more work needs to be done. Trus…

www.courant.com

 

[Slasher]

Unfortunately for UConn and tons of others AAU isn't only about metrics, it's about getting into the old boys club. There's a dozen or more qualified institutions that meet all the metrics that haven't been invited due to politics, perception, and other reasons.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Unfortunately for UConn and tons of others AAU isn't only about metrics, it's about getting into the old boys club. There's a dozen or more qualified institutions that meet all the metrics that haven't been invited due to politics, perception, and other reasons.

Do you know how many of the 12 in waiting are P5/ish athletic program institutions?

 

[Slasher]

Do you know how many of the 12 in waiting are P5/ish athletic program institutions?

Check out this article: Building a New AAU: The Case for Redefining Higher Education Excellence

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Among current UConn Board of Trustees members is Scott S. Cowen. He is a former president of Tulane University and former chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU). While an undergraduate at UConn, he was a football star. Looks to me like he could help lead the effort to get UConn into the AAU.
.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Among current UConn Board of Trustees members is Scott S. Cowen. He is a former president of Tulane University and former chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU). While an undergraduate at UConn, he was a football star. Looks to me like he could help lead the effort to get UConn into the AAU.
.

Let's hope so. Even if eventually getting AAU status doesn't get us into the Big10, it brings a lot of benefits.

 

[CL82]

The best thing we can do to enhance our AAU viability is to get more grants. The best way to get more grants is to eliminate the wage restrictions placed on state entities, thus making Connecticut competitive with private research institutions. in the end this will be an economic boon for the state, not only for the jobs which research grants create but the private jobs created by being perceived as in innovation area.

 

[LIUCHusky]

Among current UConn Board of Trustees members is Scott S. Cowen. He is a former president of Tulane University and former chair of the Association of American Universities (AAU). While an undergraduate at UConn, he was a football star. Looks to me like he could help lead the effort to get UConn into the AAU.
.

Scott Cohen was never a football star at UCONN.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Scott Cohen was never a football star at UCONN.

He was recruited by Lou Holtz!

 

[Kolumbo]

Interim President Maric leads UConn’s efforts to become a top-flight research university

Competition among U.S. colleges to win an increasing share of the billions of dollars in federal and private research funding available annually has reached a fever pitch in recent years, as schools look to boost their reputation, recruit top talent and use the money to spur economic...

www.hartfordbusiness.com

"She said UConn can reach its goal of hitting $500 million in annual research funding in the next five years; in 2019 former President Thomas Katsouleas predicted the school would reach that mark in a decade."

"UConn is off to a good start, having earned a record $375.6 million in federal research grants in fiscal year 2021, up significantly from the previous year’s record of $285.8 million."

"One major goal for schools looking to ramp up their research bona fides is to join the Association of American Universities (AAU), which is made up of 66 leading research colleges across the U.S., Van Der Werf said."

 

[Fairfield_1st]

That's a very good and encouraging read. Does she have a chance to have the interim label removed? Her actions speak loudly and her personal resume is impressive. I don't know if she's "qualified", but I like her.

 

[PaulMec]

Colleges not AAU 2015 NSF
[ ] $513k Virginia Tech
[ ] $489k South Florida
[ ] $446k NC State
[ ] $427k Arizona State
[ ] $423k Cincinnati
[ ] $355k Georgia
[ ] $328k Kentucky
[ ] $326k Washington State
[ ] $325k Hawaii
[ ] $308k Colorado State
[ ] $290k LSU
[ ] $278k Nebraska
[ ] $258k UConn
[ ] $255k Oklahoma
[ ] $253k Florida State
[ ] $231k Oregon State
[ ] $229k New Mexico
[ ] $210k Mississippi State
[ ] $206k South Carolina
[ ] $186k Central Florida
[ ] $185k Kansas State
[ ] $183k Louisville
[ ] $179k Tennessee
[ ] $164k West Virginia
[ ] $161k Clemson
[ ] $159k Texas Tech
[ ] $142k Auburn
[ ] $141k Houston
[ ] $56k Memphis
[ ] $53k Alabama

 

[Palatine]

Grant writing is an art especially since you are dealing with the federal government. Figuring out what the bureaucrats want to hear means reading between the lines. If you have folks who are skilled in writing the requests, you have a huge advantage.

 

[Husky68]

Grant writing is an art especially since you are dealing with the federal government. Figuring out what the bureaucrats want to hear means reading between the lines. If you have folks who are skilled in writing the requests, you have a huge advantage.

If you have political connections you have a huge advantage.

 

[Rumrunner]

When you look at the list of non AAU schools and their fed nsf's, remember the important metric for the AAU is fed research dollars÷number of faculty.

 

[CL82]

If you have political connections you have a huge advantage.

If you don’t have to pay your hourly labor a state mandated premium, you are a huge advantage.

 

[Waquoit]

If you don’t have to pay your hourly labor a state mandated premium, you are a huge advantage.

Does this mean if we pay people less we have a better chance at getting in the Big 10? Such a deal.

 

[CL82]

Does this mean if we pay people less we have a better chance at getting in the Big 10? Such a deal.

No it means that the legislature mandates a non-competitive wage for state entities including UConn. Because of that when Connecticut competes for grants it is at a significant disadvantage. If people want the university to have a higher research profile, which it needs to become an AAU institution, that is some thing that needs to be corrected.

Ultimately, creating a R&D exemption to this rule puts the University of Connecticut on the same footing with private in state institutions. Ideally doing more research would help the state to get a new industry base in the state, which it desperately needs.

I hope that’s a little more clear for you.

 

[Waquoit]

No it means that the legislature mandates a non-competitive wage for state entities including UConn. Because of that when Connecticut competes for grants it is at a significant disadvantage. If people want the university to have a higher research profile, which it needs to become an AAU institution, that is some thing that needs to be corrected.

Ultimately, creating a R&D exemption to this rule puts the University of Connecticut on the same footing with private in state institutions. Ideally doing more research would help the state to get a new industry base in the state, which it desperately needs.

I hope that’s a little more clear for you.

Race to the bottom, got it.

 

[CL82]

Race to the bottom, got it.

Lol, no, it doesn’t seem that you do.