Campuses:
This is always an exciting time of year on campus: Students are coming back (or arriving for the first time), classes are starting and the pace of campus events quickens. The 2011–12 academic year feels like even more of a fresh start, with Eric Kaler beginning his tenure as the University of Minnesota’s 16th president.
We’re also excited about the changes coming in our undergraduate majors: last spring, the faculty approved new policies that will give our students more opportunities for experiential learning and for interdisciplinary work while allowing increased flexibility in elective credits. The goal is to continue providing a rigorous scientific background while better training students to thrive in the modern workplace. This fall, we’ll be working on how best to implement those policies.
And of course, we have groundbreaking research to showcase, as you’ll see in this edition of Solutions. You’ll read about the partnership between our scientists and Koda Energy to develop new ways of growing biomass; about how carp management techniques may translate to other kinds of non-native species control; about the intersection of water and agriculture; and about the important partnership between our animal scientists and Minnesota’s poultry industry. Along with profiles of faculty and alumni, this edition reflects the broad range of interesting people and work taking place in CFANS every day.
I hope you enjoy reading. As always, I’m eager to hear your thoughts.
Allen S. Levine ('73-M.S., botany; '77-Ph.D., nutrition)
Dean
