When it comes to colleges, we all have a thing for rankings and rivalries.
School spirit lends itself to competitiveness and a steady stream of smack talk.
Not so in the arena of research. When one Idaho university builds up its research portfolio, the victory does not necessarily come at the expense of its in-state rivals. So the whole state can celebrate Boise State University's advances in research - but the state's politicians and BSU's supporters need to do their part to keep it going.
BSU's research grants are up 47 percent since 2000. While BSU is still a long way from President Bob Kustra's lofty 10-year goal of a $100-million-a-year research portfolio, the university generated almost $27 million in research grants the past year.
The numbers suggest Boise State is moving closer to fulfulling the vision Kustra articulates at every possible opportunity: a "metropolitan research university of distinction." This isn't just a slogan; it's a business model that makes BSU distinct from Idaho's other universities.
The University of Idaho, as the state's land-grant institution, has both a long-established research mission and a natural connection to projects in agriculture or natural resources. Idaho State University has an established mission in health-related fields. As a university in a rapidly growing Western urban area, BSU will tend to compete for research projects that don't fit with other Idaho campuses.
If BSU research aids the Valley's high-tech economy, supports a health-care system that serves 600,000 Valley residents, or examines urban land-use issues such as the shortage of mobile-home units in Boise, these projects help the Valley and do not hurt the state's other universities.
A research portfolio strengthens a university's core foundation: the brain power of the people on the campus. It helps attract and retain the brightest faculty. By bolstering the university's prestige, it helps attract talented high school graduates. But none of this happens for free.
That's why Kustra wants to use $13 million of the university's $175 million fundraising drive to support faculty seeking research projects. It takes time - and administrative backing - for faculty to put together persuasive grant applications. That's why Kustra lobbies intensively for the state to invest more money and apply its borrowing power to classroom expansion. Research labs compete with classes for limited space on campus.
The university has taken impressive steps to build up its research mission. The future may hinge on the willingness of donors and politicians to build the infrastructure that, in turn, fosters university research.
The Idaho Statesman is pleased to offer this opportunity to share information and observations about what's in the news. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate but ask that you remain on topic. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate are subject to removal.
@Nyx.CommentBody@