Manoa Faculty Senate Committee on Research Minutes of March 11, 2008 (POST 601)

Members Present: Beei-Huan Cho, Shana Brown, Patrick Henry (Secretary), Roy Wilkens (Chair), Tricia Wright

Members Absent: Justin Levinson, Todd Reed, Kelly Roberts, David Ross, Magi Sarvimaki

Guests: David Duffy (until 3:30 pm), Yaa-Yin Fong (ORS after 3:30 pm), Mike Jones (until 3:30 pm), Carol Santucci (ORS after 3:30 pm)

The meeting was called to order at 3:00 pm.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved unanimously as amended.

David Duffy discussed issues concerning taro research. Taro must be hand pollinated in order to propagate in Hawaii because it rarely flowers here and the insect that pollinates the taro does not exist in Hawaii. So genetically modified (GM) taro will very likely not propagate here. Now research into this subject at UH could be restricted if a bill before the State Legislature is passed. The impetuses of the bill are cultural concerns and worries about GM plants. Duffy would like the COR to recommend that the Senate write a letter opposing the bill. Written communication from COR members Justin Levinson and Kelly Roberts indicate that some departments support the bill.

The committee felt that the full senate would not be able to approve such a letter before the issue is moot. The chair will draft a letter that the committee might send as individuals.

Yaa-Yin Fong and Carol Santucci described InfoEd, a commercially available proposal submission and tracking system. It is used at more than 600 sites around the world. The system contains many modules. The ultimate goal is to have a completely electronic process that identifies funding sources, develops proposals, approves them at UH, submits the proposal, accepts the award notification and tracks deliverables.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm.

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