Resources

Contents Executive Summary Situation Statement The OSU Innovations Introduction to the Study The questionnaire Study Findings Results by Theme Integration Scholarship Responsiveness Flexibility Resources Innovations Results Breakouts Outcomes Discussion Recommendations

Innovations Related to Resources One of OSU’s Third Mission innovations was to locate programmatic guidance for Extension education within the academic structure. Along with that change, colleges and departments acquired a role in allocating the support resources for campus-based Extension faculty. Features of the innovations intended to assure a sufficient flow of resources to Extension programs College deans – and, by delegation, associate deans, program leaders, and department heads – have acquired fiscal control over Extension program funds (along with other supervisory responsibilities for Extension personnel and programs). The program area with which a campus-based Extension faculty person is affiliated receives $30,000 in “support of services” funds, intended to cover program expenses, travel, professional development, secretarial time, supplies, and other Extension operating expenses. Most of this money is passed along to, and managed by, the department with which the campus-based Extension faculty member is affiliated. This level of support resources appears to be sufficient to remove any financial disincentive for colleges or departments that might become the academic home to Extension faculty members. County-based Extension faculty have their salaries covered by Extension funds; county governments, as their contribution to the Extension partnership, provide offices, support staff, telephone, and supplies, as well as travel and professional development funds. The recommended amount to budget for these expenses per county-based Extension faculty member, as of 2001, is $25,000 - $30,000. The mechanisms for distributing support resources for county-based faculty did not change as part of the package of innovations. County governments are reportedly finding it more difficult to provide the level of support needed for their county-based Extension faculty; it is not known whether that translates into significant decreases in support resources for county-based Extension faculty. previous page top of this page next page