A Businessman’s View of Tier 1 from the President’s Office at UNLV Donald D. Snyder President

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 Nevada SRI/ 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 Nevada SRI/ Brookings report:  “threats” to the Nevada economy :  “underinvestment in higher education”  “lack of a top-ranked Carnegie research university”

Research Universities in Nevada SRI/ 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 Nevada SRI/ Brookings recommendation:  expand role of research universities:  in Research & Development through industry collaborations  in Workforce Development through advanced degrees

UNLV UNLV is where to address this critical regional economic development need

UNLV as a Research University Science Coalition report: Sparking Economic Growth 2.0 value 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 Conditions 2.Phase 1: 10 Years to Build Capacity 3.Resources Need to Build Capacity 4.10-Year Targets 5.20-Year Performance Targets 6.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  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  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