A Businessman’s View of Tier 1 from the President’s Office

at UNLV

Donald D. SnyderPresident

Research Universities linchpins of U.S. economy since 1950s focus on granting college degrees also focus on research, innovation crucial to regional economic development

Western Research Universities (2012)

Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings report: “shortcomings of current

innovation system …Nevada lags behind other states and the nation on every indicator of innovation and Research & Development activity”

Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings report: “threats” to the Nevada

economy : “underinvestment in

higher education” “lack of a top-ranked

Carnegie research university”

Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings: Southern Nevada innovation capacity “underdeveloped” despite “significant strengths”.

> 50% state’s advanced degrees from UNLV but only 25% of academic R&D spending

UNLV < 25% of state-funded lab space only ½ of so. NV lab space is bio-medical

Outcome: only 25% of National Science Foundation funds to state come to Las Vegas.

Research Universities in NevadaSRI/ Brookings recommendation: expand role of research

universities: in Research &

Development through industry collaborations

in Workforce Development through advanced degrees

UNLVUNLV is where to address this critical regional economic development need

UNLV as a Research UniversityScience Coalition report: Sparking Economic Growth 2.0value of university research to regional economic development university research is both basic

(technological innovation) and applied (specific products, services)

university research creates technologies, not just products more sustainable industries higher levels of skills, pay for

technology workforce technology firms more likely to

attract venture capital

Universities Drive Economic Growth

 “We believe that America’s research universities are today a key asset for our nation’s future. …Our future now depends on the willingness of our current policymakers to follow their example and make the decisions that will allow us to continue to compete, prosper, and shape our destiny….  ”

RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. REPORT BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (2012)

Universities Drive Economic Growth

 “...other nations have recognized the importance of world-class research universities and of university-driven research and advanced education to economic prosperity and social well-being. They are strategically and rapidly strengthening their research universities to compete for international students and faculty, resource, and reputation and [they] have closely tied university research to business.”

RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES AND THE FUTURE OF AMERICA. REPORT BY THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (2012)

Universities Thrive in Major Cities“It makes the most sense to put new top tier institutions in large cities ….You need the sophistication of a major city to be able to take advantage of all the connections and opportunities these institutions can bring.”

- Larry Faulkner, President Emeritus, UT Austin

UNLV and the Las Vegas community

“You cannot have a great community without a great university …connected to that community”

- Donald D. Snyder

UNLV goals for the community Quality, value education

remain accessible, affordable for students attract competitive students in-state, nationally and

internationally Fulfill recent NSHE, state mandates

completion: funding based on student performance alignment: degrees in economic development areas

Serve regional needs Minority Serving Institution designation Research University / Very High designation

UNLV educational objectives (10-year) Commitment to improving quality

Reform of General Education Improve basic Mathematics, Communications Increased focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics degrees Develop innovative programs such as IT, Gaming Law,

Urban Leadership, Graphic Design and Media, Aeronautic Systems, etc.

60% undergraduate graduation rate 4250 undergraduate degrees per year

25% of students in graduate, professional programs 1500 grad/ professional degrees per year

Carnegie Foundation Research University designations UNLV 2010 : “High Research” (top 4.5%) 20-Year goal is “Very High Research” (top 2.3 %)

108 Research Universities/ Very High as of 2010 75 are public universities 74 have medical schools 2 Minority-Serving Institutions currently designated as

Research University/ Very High

Carnegie Foundation Research University designations Key metrics

Graduation rates Doctoral degrees awarded

Across all fields of study Research grant and contract expenditures

science and engineering other fields

Research professionals (e.g. post-docs) Faculty size

UNLV Tier 1 : 20-Year Business Plan

1. Analysis of Current Conditions2. Phase 1: 10 Years to Build Capacity3. Resources Need to Build Capacity4. 10-Year Targets5. 20-Year Performance Targets6. Annual Benefits to Community Upon

Completion of Plan

1. Analysis of current conditions Comparison with 4 universities: Oregon;

Colorado, Boulder; Utah; Arizona State All Research Universities/ Very High All public universities in Mountain West region Not land grant institutions 3 of 4 do not have medical schools 3 of 4 in “Mountain Mega” cities

Key Findings : UNLV, c. 2011 Faculty Size

From peak of 925 down to 780 average size of Tier 1 university = 1200

Campus Size 400,000 GSF smaller than comparators 200,000 GSF lab space below comparators

Key Findings : UNLV, c. 2011 Grant/ Contract activity

< $30M per year (by NSF methodology) > $80M per year below comparators

2. 10-Year Plan to Build Capacity add 250 new full-time faculty lines

prioritize Economic Development areas recruit research-active faculty

add 300 graduate scholarships expand research support staff upgrade, expand existing lab space enhance internet connectivity and high-

performance computing capacity

3. Resources Needed to Build Capacity

Restore cuts in state funding over 10 years 10-year investment to rebuild research capacity performance benchmarks, careful oversight

Performance funds, student fees devoted to student success (ensuring graduation)

State capital funds plus community support for campus infrastructure

Federal, state, private grant/ contract expansion for research support

4. 10-Year Targets 1200 full-time faculty members

increased average research productivity per faculty member to $100,000 per year

350 research support staff post-doctoral scholars, research scientists,

librarians, etc. (mostly self-supporting) 400,000 additional gross square feet

5. 20-Year Performance Targets $120M in annual grant / contract

expenditures (from current $40M) 160 post-doctoral researchers supported

by external funding (currently 61) 200 doctorates per year (current 100) 30 graduate programs ranked in top 100

(current 11)

6. Benefits to Community in 20 Years

> 5000 quality degrees per year annual economic impact of billions of dollars

direct expenditure economic spin-off value added of education to workforce

12 start-ups per year from UNLV research 2500 high-paying jobs (off campus) created

each year from spin-off of UNLV research