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The proposed work will significantly improve the capabilities of extension to conduct the work necessary to provide University outreach to Mississippi citizens. The School of Agriculture, Research, Extension and Applied Sciences is a blended system, whereby faculty members with split appointments may have position responsibility for delivering any combination of teaching, research, and extension. A teaching faculty member may have a percentage of position responsibility for research and/or extension. An extension professional may have a position responsibility for teaching and/or research. As blended faculty members, our employees are more versatile, and cohesive. The best way to describe the impact of each objective on teaching, research and extension is to examine each objective and the role of each objective in meeting multiple needs.
<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:<br/> Alcorn State University has made significant improvements to its physical infrastructure, a large part of which is due to the support made possible by the 1890 Facilities Grant program. During the previous 3 years, the University has made significant improvements in the research, extension and teaching facilities through insightful expenditure of funds. It is envisioned that the University will continue to build on and improve the capacity of programs in research, teaching and extension. Funds for this funding cycle will be used to: 1) purchase equipment for the food product development and processing facility, 2) upgrade scienfitic research and instructional equipment in laboratories and classrooms, 3) upgrade facilities at the vegetable processing incubator in Kemper County, 4) upgrade teaching laboratories, 5) upgrade existing equipment
storage buildings, 6) provide facilities for farmers market operations in Natchez and Vicksburg, 7) improve grounds safety and appearance. All improvements and equipment purchases will enhance our capacity to address issues related to global food security and hunger, climate change, sustainable energy, food safety and childhood obesity, and nutrition. Funding will further enable Alcorn State University to participate fully in production of human capital in food and agricultural sciences.
<p>APPROACH:<br/>This project will improve facilities and upgrade equipment. All facilities projects are managed by the Associate Vice President for Facilities Management and the Department of Facilities Management. Project coordination between the School of AREAS and the Department of Facilities Management is provided by the School Project Coordinator, a position which is currently held my Mrs. Nancy Moorhead. As a university which falls under the Mississippi Institutions for Higher Learning (the Board), all construction projects must be approved by the Board and follow state requirements for architectural and engineering, posting, and bidding. If building projects are initiated, all construction is overseen by the State of Mississippi Division of Buildings and Grounds. Based on strict guidelines for posting and bidding or state approved vendors, the State of Mississippi
Division of Purchasing and Finance insures that proper advertisement takes place and that equal bidding opportunities are provided. On projects that exceed $50,000 written and sealed bids must be obtained, the entire process is controlled by the Department of Facilities Management. Architectural and Engineering vendors are selected by the Department of Facilities Management, as approved by the Board. The Department of Facilities Management controls implementation of projects, and final inspection