Contact: Monty Jones, (512) 499-4363

Date: March 31, 2003

U.T. System Background Information

Developing Research Universitites in the University of Texas System

Planning is under way in the University of Texas System for a study by independent experts on how to develop more research universities within the System. Chancellor Mark G. Yudof discussed plans for the study on Monday, March 31, with the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Regents.

The study would begin this summer and would be conducted by nationally prominent authorities who are familiar with the history of the development of research universities; research funding from the federal government and other external sources; how to foster relationships between a research university and private-sector industry; and related issues.

The individuals who would conduct the study have not yet been selected. Yudof said he wants to consider people of national stature, such as scientists or administrators who are members of the National Academy of Sciences or the National Academy of Engineering.

WHAT IS A RESEARCH UNIVERSITY?

There are no universally accepted criteria for designation as a research university, but this is generally the type of institution that offers the most advanced educational opportunities; has extensive graduate programs; attracts research-oriented faculty members who, in turn, attract significant external funding for research; and participates in technology transfer (moving laboratory innovations and discoveries to the marketplace).

There are several ways to identify institutions that are generally acknowledged to have reached the status of research universities. A select group of research universities are members of the Association of American Universities. The association accepts members only by invitation. Texas has three members - U. T. Austin, Texas A&M University at College Station, and Rice University. California has nine members - six public universities and three private institutions.

Another measure concerns the annual amount of research spending on a campus. About 100 U.S. universities and health science institutions, public and private, have annual research spending of $100 million or more. The leader is The Johns Hopkins University with about $900 million. In Texas, institutions above $100 million are UT Austin, Texas A&M, Baylor College of Medicine, and five of the six health science institutions in the UT System (UT Southwestern Medical Center, UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, UT Health Science Center at Houston, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and UT Medical Branch at Galveston). (See a study by the University of Florida).

Institutions also can be compared according to the number of faculty members who belong to the National Academy of Sciences or the National Academy of Engineering. California has a total of 1,095 members of both academies (at higher education institutions as well as companies, foundations, and government agencies). Texas has a total of 193, including 55 at UT Austin, 18 at Rice, 17 at Texas A&M, and 13 at UT Southwestern Medical Center. UC Berkeley has 194, one more than the entire state of Texas.

POTENTIAL RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES IN THE UT SYSTEM

Yudof reviewed with the Academic Affairs Committee his judgment that the UT System has four institutions that are most likely to be able to emerge as research universities - U. T. Arlington, U. T. Dallas, U. T. El Paso, and U. T. San Antonio. Each would need to make significant advancements to reach this status, based on the amount of research funding, the number of national academy members, and other factors.

The chancellor said he hopes the independent review can provide an objective assessment of the current position of these institutions, a review of academic areas in which they have the greatest potential for advancement, and a roadmap for their development. In every case, he said, extensive community and private-sector support will be necessary, as well as greater collaboration among institutions, so the independent study will also assess the potential for these factors.