Seven Salient Strategies for Survey Sustainability Jerry Weisenfluh Kentucky Geological Survey AASG 2015 Annual Meeting Flagstaff, Arizona June 15th-17th, 2015

KGS Background University of Kentucky department under VPR 44 staff: 9 Ph.D.s & 20 M.S. Legislatively mandated, non-regulatory $4M state appropriation; 96% staff salaries and benefits ~$350K operating expenses

What is Sustainability? No punitive budget or program cuts Continue to perform our legislative mandates Maintain or increase our research capacity Enhance our status as a university research institute

What are the challenges? Research funding environment Demographics of KGS staff Negotiating the new UK budget model

Strategy 1: Geoscience Information Continue to collect high-quality data Data dissemination Unbiased information Continue to capitalize on technology expertise

Strategy 2: Staff Development Add strategic Ph.D. positions to increase funding levels Solve the institutional knowledge problem Increase diversity Maintain morale

Strategy 3: Diversify Funding Private partnerships Other non-traditional sources International programs Expand our research sphere

Strategy 4: Collaboration Cultural change Professional engagement Assertiveness (within our institution)

Strategy 5: MOAs and communications Recognition for contributions to state agencies Effective, balanced public relations and social media outreach Solve the problem of valuing public goods

Strategy 6: Entrepreneurial Efforts UK’s housing and dining initiatives setting precedent Increasingly referenced in research arena What areas might have reasonable business models?

Strategy 7: Is there a #7 Suggestions are welcome