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

2. 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

3. 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

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

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

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

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

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

9. 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

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

11. Strategy 7: Is there a #7
Suggestions are welcome