Presentation to Educational Policy Committee Department of Biology December, 2013 Biology Department: Position Request

Biology Faculty identified a Lake Fish Biologist as our highest priority for an additional faculty position. 1)Why does the Biology Department need more faculty? 2)How will a Lake Fish Biologist help students, the Department, and the University? Position Requests Biology

Position Requests Biology Why does the Biology Department need more faculty? – One faculty member has switched to full-time administration – Large growth in majors and credit hour production – Reassigned time – service and research – reduces faculty available to teach courses – Challenging to find replacements for faculty on sabbatical or with released time awards With 15 faculty who can each apply for a sabbatical every seven years, this is a continuing issue – Advising load is high – Additional faculty are needed to mentor students engaged in undergraduate and graduate research

Background: Faculty reassignments—reduce capability to deliver needed classes. – Rob Winn—Full time administration, beginning Winter 2013; no replacement planned – Brent Graves—Load is 2/3 AAUP service – Erich Ottem—1/2 reduction associated with NIH grant – Jill Leonard 4 hours load reduction associated with NSF grant 50% reassigned time as Teaching and Learning Scholar beginning Winter 2014 – Additional faculty have received sabbatical or reassigned time awards (RTAs) : 2 RTAs : 1 sabbatical, 2 RTAs : 1 sabbatical Position Requests Biology

Background: Biology majors Increased from 399 to 691 (F2006-F2013) – 73% increase – Related majors have also grown Student Credit Hours Increased from 5500 to 8055 (F2006-F2012) – 46% increase – Particularly large increase for 100 & 200 level classes – Continuing challenges in: » growth of class sizes » offering classes in a timely fashion During the same period, NMU FTE enrollment dropped from 8317 to 8079 (3% decrease)

Biology Credit Hour Production by Level

Need for additional faculty: Enrollment growth has created high advising loads – Average >40 advisees/faculty in Biology 47 & 51 advisees for faculty currently advising Fisheries & Wildlife Management majors – Overall University average is 32 advisees In addition to high advising loads, faculty have high mentoring loads for undergraduate and graduate research. Position Requests Biology

Need for additional expertise in Lake Fish Biology Person hired will have a strong background in limnology, the study of inland waters. Teach classes and mentor students in: – Fisheries & Wildlife Management (78 majors F2013) – Biology/Ecology (43 majors F2013) – Zoology (121 majors F2013) Enhance strengths in Biology Department related to ecology of Lake Superior. – NMU’s geographic location helps attract students Position Requests Biology

Growth in Biological Sciences at NMU

The Fisheries & Wildlife Management program has grown beyond the level at which we predicted more faculty would be needed when the program was established. A faculty member with expertise in Lake Fish Biology would teach courses supporting other programs, including: – Advanced Ecology – Ecology – Fisheries Management – Ichthyology – Limnology – Introductory Biology Position Requests Biology

Benefits to Students, Department & University Advanced courses required for Fisheries & Wildlife Management, Ecology, and Zoology could be offered more frequently, making it easier for students to graduate in a timely fashion Introductory classes currently have more than 100 students. Reducing the class size would improve learning and could improve retention. A Lake Fish Biologist would promote collaborations with government and non-profit agencies interested in the ecology of Lake Superior. Bioinformatics Position Request

Approximate Costs Faculty (1.0 position w/ benefits)$ 70, 843 Start up funds (one-time cost)$ 30,000 Total$ 100, 843 Position Request - Biology