The Daily Bulletin Archive

Yesterday’s announcement of Dean Severson’s appointment as special adviser for academic research initiatives omitted some key information. A revised and complete copy of the announcement follows:

I have asked Mark Severson, dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences, to take a leadership role with efforts to expand Buffalo State’s research, especially in academic affairs. Severson will serve as special adviser to the provost for academic research initiatives effective July 1, 2012. This temporary assignment will support the university’s research agenda until the search for a vice president for research and economic development is completed.

Severson will provide leadership to advance institutional efforts in support of the initiatives of Strategic Direction 2 (regarding research, scholarship, and creativity) in Buffalo State’s 2009–2013 Strategic Plan. Specific expectations include the following:

• Champion and articulate the Buffalo State research mission.
• Advise on campus research infrastructure and incentive programs.
• Cultivate relationships to expand academic research, especially interdisciplinary research.
• Identify, develop, and nurture innovative steps to enhance sponsored program awards and research support for centers, faculty, staff, and students.
• Ensure regulatory compliance in such areas as human subjects research, animal care, and proper research conduct.

This arrangement does not include the direct reporting of any Research Foundation (RF) employee to Severson; the current RF reporting structure remains in place. Severson will interact with RF to make research opportunities known, to support the orientation of new faculty members to the research environment, and to increase research and sponsored program funding with an emphasis on academic areas and interdisciplinary efforts.