Exploring the Evolving Universe

A late prehistoric shell-tempered ceramic bowl from the Mississippi River Valley.

Organization

IIRMES is governed by an elected committee of IIRMES members that will include a Director, two faculty members, a staff and student representative, together with an appointed non-affiliated ex-officio University Administrator.  IIRMES is guided by a constitution that describes the articles of governance and that outlines the procedures and policies concerning the convening of the governing committee including membership, election, tenure and voting rights.  The minutes of all IIRMES committee meetings are publicly available.  Non-voting participants outside of the formal committee are encouraged to be involved in any debate that provides for improvement in the governance or mission of IIRMES.  The internal governing committee are responsible for the internal governance of IIRMES but will consult with the external advisory board in; (i) developing the final annual report; and (ii) developing and implementing an action plan based upon the external advisory board study document, as outlined in section 9.0 of this proposal. 

 

IIRMES employs the philosophy of governance through democracy and consensus opinion. Six key elements are considered essential for this for type of governance to be successful:

 

1. Establishment of open and honest communication among all IIRMES personnel. 

2. All views of all participants are respected and treated with equality and equity.

3. Decision making is conducted by participation and consensus agreement. 

4. Different perspectives and positions provide for an environment in which informed decisions, leading to constructive changes can be made.

5. Change is held to be a positive opportunity for growth for both the individual and the organization.

6. Positive recognition is given for achievements and contribution and to strive continuously to identify and strengthen areas needing improvements.

 

With the six key elements of this philosophy in place, all levels of personnel, irrespective of whether they are students, staff or faculty, can contribute to the governance of IIRMES to ensure that it successfully meets its mandates of promoting research, service and instruction.

Director

Dr. Zed Mason is the current Director of IIRMES.  Directors are IIRMES elected by the internal governing committee of IIRMES from within the faculty membership. The Directorship lasts for a maximum of three years or for the entire period of authorization of the unit, whichever is the shorter. 

Students and professors at CSULB find evidence for Pliocene tectonic uplift and erosion in outcrops at the beach, near Santa Maria, California.

Diode Array spectra of proteins from the cytosol of a marine invertebrate separated by size exclusion HPLC.