Vaughn Gross Center becomes College of Education’s first Organized Research Unit
The Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts has won official designation as an Organized Research Unit, the first ever representative of the College of Education to do so.
“This is just a wonderful honor,” said Marilyn Kameen, senior associate dean in the College of Education. “It recognizes the Vaughn Gross Center as a major research center, giving even more prominence to the Center — and the College of Education as a whole.”
While day-to-day operations will continue much as before, the Center will benefit most from the increased visibility and recognition that comes with designation as an ORU.
In earning the new designation, the Center joins the ranks of noted ORUs such as the Charles A. Dana Center for Mathematics and Science Education, the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, the McDonald Observatory, the Institute for Advanced Technology, the Applied Research Laboratories, the Center for Electromechanics, and the Bureau of Economic Geology.
“The fiscal year 2002-2003 annual report lists 85 ORUs, some with little or no funding, some with millions,” said Jeff Treichel, business manager at the Vaughn Gross Center. “When the next report comes out, the Center likely will be in the top tier. That brings prestige.”
The university’s goals for ORUs fit nicely with those of the Center. According to The University of Texas at Austin Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP), organized research units are created “to enhance the research activities of the university … support graduate education … [and] there should be a clear need for some number of faculty members to work together in a single administrative unit.”
“The Provost’s Office recommended that the Vaughn Gross Center should consider becoming an Organized Research Unit,” Kameen said. “The Center truly helps the reputation of this university.”
Meaghan Edmonds compiled the information for the Center’s application, which UT Austin Executive Vice President and Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson approved on the recommendation of College of Education Dean Manuel Justiz. The application addressed the purpose and need for a research unit, including a synopsis of several ongoing Center projects; the proposed administrative organization, which begins with the Office of the Dean and extends to the Center director, associate directors, Board of Directors, and Cabinet; the financial support and source of funds; the research’s importance to graduate education; and the Center’s external functions. All ORUs must submit an annual report and periodically are reviewed to determine whether their continued existence is justified.
Most researchers at the Center won’t even notice the transition to an Organized Research Unit. There is no ceremony, no extra funding, no significant change in policies and procedures — but according to Treichel, that’s not the point.
“This could lead to even bigger and better things for the Center.”