• New rates for computer charges: Gayle Baker announced that new rates for computer connectivity charges are significantly less than in the past.

• Funding solicitations in the Spring:
  • Summer Research Graduate Assistantship Fund: Ken Walker stated that solicitation materials would be sent to department heads in early February. Requests are due in early March and the decisions will be made by April 1.

  • SARIF Equipment Infrastructure Fund: The solicitation for 1999-2000 was made in Fall 1999. Walker reviewed a spreadsheet that summarized the awards that were made in December 1999. The solicitation for 2000-2001 will be sent out around March 15 with an April 15 deadline. The decisions will be made by the end of the academic year, with funds available on or near July 1.

• New library databases: A list of new databases in the library was presented by Gayle Baker.

• Federal funding update: Lillian Mashburn stated that congressional deadlines for appropriations are earlier this year. Her office needs letters of support for projects of interest to UT. NSF and NIH funding have increased.

• Faculty Workstation Update: Clif Woods and Faye Muly spoke about special, one-time, funding of $1,000,000 for faculty workstations for approximately 400 faculty. Procedures are still being worked out. The administration hopes to make funding for faculty workstation refresh part of the budget. This program is based upon the proposal put forth by Research Council.

• New organization update: Michael Devine stated that Dr. Gilley is placing more emphasis on research in the new organization. The specific organizational framework is to be determined.

• DII Emerging Technologies Group Projects: Mairead Martin, manager of DII's Emerging Technologies Group, described some projects of her group, including Internet 2, video over IP technologies, and high performance FTP (see http://dii.utk.edu/research). Ana Martin described network traffic problems related to large data transfer rates.

• Discussion items:
  • Faculty development opportunities: Andy Kramer reported that the Policies and Procedures Committee is investigating faculty development (sabbatical) opportunities and policies at other universities. At the next meeting they will present a spreadsheet of information with eligibility, cost, how classes are covered.

  • Funds to support efforts to acquire new funding: Michael Devine proposed that the Research Council investigate the possibility of using SARIF funds to support writing proposals for external funding. The funds could cover several different aspects of the process: graduate student for initial research, travel to a funding agency, etc. There was a similar program at Florida State. The Research Infrastructure Committee will review this and similar programs and have a recommendation for the March meeting of Research Council. Devine will send a draft proposal to that committee.

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.