Vice chancellor of research and economic development candidate Morris Foster stressed at a forum on Thursday the necessity of securing external funding in order for research to continue thriving at the University.
Foster said the University’s problems with decreased funding and increased tuition is not different from the University of Oklahoma, where he is the current associate vice president for research and strategic planning.
Universities need to start considering new models for generating funds and recognize the importance of sponsored research, whether through federal grants or private agencies, he said.
“It’s about the money these days for public universities,” Foster said.
He said his role at LSU would require finding new research opportunities and getting faculty involved with national and international groups of researchers.
When professors are involved in these groups, the research at their own respective universities improves, he said. That research is often more beneficial to the campus and community.
Foster said the University’s focus cannot be solely on money, and research needs to explore potential benefits to campus, local and regional communities.
Research is a tool that can help universities become essential sources of support for communities, thus making institutions more valuable in the eyes of legislators, he said. The University should focus on research in strong areas, but seeking out areas of research that aren’t as “trendy” should be encouraged, Foster said.
Faculty should be rewarded for earning grants or getting published – an important practice during a time where faculty have faced stagnant salaries, he said.
He said his goal for the position is to be responsive and helpful to faculty researchers.
Foster, who has a background in anthropology, said he doesn’t have a specific management style but tries to adapt his assistance to the needs of different issues.
Like past candidates, Foster also emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research, saying he acts as a “matchmaker” in Oklahoma to pair researchers from different backgrounds to produce better results.
Foster is the final candidate to pitch his vision for the vice chancellor position.
The job could be filled soon, according to Thomas Klei, current holder of the position, but the yet-to-be-chosen executive vice chancellor and provost may want a hand in selecting the candidate.
 
____ Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]