CENTER FOR INTEGRATED WATER RESEARCH University of California, Santa Cruz 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, California  (831)  Meeting 21st century water challenges: The role of 4-year colleges and universities

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Talk Roadmap T he Center for Integrated Water Research: Introduction Challenges facing future water professionals What colleges and universities can do to help meet those challenges Example: the Water Teaching and Research Laboratory, or WaterLab

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Center for Integrated Water Research Mission Statement To advance society’s understanding of the policy, economics, and communications of fresh water management

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Advancing Our Mission Focus on water policy, economics, and communications Help resolve major debates on water supply and quality Increase the quantity and quality of research on fresh water issues Build new approaches to teaching about water

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Water challenges of the early 21st century Same as the 20th century: provide society with a safe and reliable water supply subject to constraints of resource availability, affordability. New and/or expanded in the 21st century: –MORE CONSTRAINTS!

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Water challenges of the early 21st century MORE CONSTRAINTS: - environmental restoration needs - non-stationary climate - complex legal settings - public communications challenges - growing interest in water quality - pre-existing infrastructure - technological advancements

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Water professionals Need water-related skills Operational Laboratory Modeling Communications Need people skills Dealing with bosses, co-workers, customers, regulators, the press, the public

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Water professionals Need problem-solving skills Quantitative (both back-of-the-envelope and thorough) Mechanical/chemical Need good work habits to distinguish themselves On time Transparent Finishers Know when to ask for help

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Water professionals Need perspective Why do water agencies do what they do? What is the importance of water to this region? What are the drivers of change in this region? What does the public expect of us? What should I expect from my job?

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges Goals of the college experience Knowledge acquisition and the ability to acquire knowledge Develop ability to evaluate and problem- solve in today’s society Skills useful in the workforce Deeper understanding and appreciation of citizenship and freedom Completion of a course of study

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges Units of knowledge acquisition: Individual research/homework LecturesLab sessions DiscussionsSeminars Courses Field studies InternshipsStudy abroad Degree programs Non-degree programs

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges introducing… the course weeks long - In a classroom, lab, outdoors, and/or off campus - Students take ~3 of these at a time - They are self-contained learning units - They require extensive prior review and approval at the departmental and campus level - Once approved, the professor has extensive freedom to deliver the course as he or she sees fit - Required combinations of these earn students their bachelor’s degree.

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges Degree Programs -have structural rigidities - Pre-requisites - Core courses - Required courses from particular lists -have surprising flexibility -Substitute alternative courses -Independent study options -Internships and study abroad -Require extensive review and approvals

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges Degree Programs -Key evolutionary point: -Degree programs are beginning to lose the name of the Department that offers them. -This creates new flexibility in curriculum planning.

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges Curriculum - a coherent combination of coursework Water curriculum can be enhanced in many ways: - many opportunities for faculty across the disciplines - guest lectures/facilities tours (one time events) - expanding and regularizing internship opportunities (typically as a 1-2 course substitute) - developing new courses

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges Curriculum - a coherent combination of coursework Water curriculum can be enhanced in many ways: - developing new paths within degree programs - developing new degree programs - developing new “schools” on a par with a “School of Engineering”

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Preparing water professionals: 4-year colleges To be successful in this endeavor, the following ingredients are needed: - active support from water agencies and agency associations - interested “ladder rank” faculty - open-minded academic administrators - a good idea that helps solve a real problem

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Curricular Initiatives at UCSC: two examples 1.Distribution and Treatment Accreditation Study - Students are preparing for D- and T- exams. - Both formal and informal coursework - Working with water agencies to identify internship opportunities to provide hands-on experience.

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Curricular Initiatives at UCSC: two examples 2. Developing the: Water Teaching and Research Laboratory, or WaterLab - Purposes: teaching, research, test bed and demonstration of advanced water treatment methods - A joint venture of: - UCSC’s Center for Integrated Water Research - Monterey Regional Water Pollution Control Agency - Marina Coast Water District

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Curricular Initiatives at UCSC: two examples WaterLab Other labs, agencies, and private companies are offering assistance in getting WaterLab launched A center piece is the gift of water treatment units from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to UCSC.

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Curricular Initiatives at UCSC: two examples 2. The water treatment units consist of: - double-pass RO with capacity of 0.5 MGD - Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit - Steam-powered thermal desalination unit

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Curricular Initiatives at UCSC: two examples Acknowledgements and Thanks LLNL, including Bill Bourcier, Ph.D. Elizabeth Burton, Ph.D. Robin Newmark, Ph.D. Marina Coast Water District Jim Heitzman, General Manager and Fellow, CIWR The Stephen and Mona Bruce Family Trust

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Curricular Initiatives at UCSC: two examples Acknowledgements and Thanks Center for Integrated Water Research Steve Kasower, Senior Research Economist Kivette Koeppe, Administrator Lily Geisler, CIWR Events Coordinator and UCSC Senior

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz The Challenges Before Us Optimize society’s use of limited water resources Utilize the resources and knowledge base we have to meet these challenges - water agency - private sector - university-based

Center for Integrated Water Research University of California Santa Cruz Group Discussion… What are the next steps?