Center History
In late 2003, Deans Michael Griswold (Sciences) and Jim Cook (CAHNRS) gained the support of
their counterparts from Education (Judy Mitchell), Engineering and Architecture (Candis Claiborn)
and Liberal Arts (Erich Lear) to establish an interdisciplinary faculty committee to look at "the environment"
and develop a proposal for administrative consideration. Each of the participating Deans appointed two
faculty members to serve on the work group that would become known as the "Committee for Environmental
Research, Education and Outreach." During the following two years the committee actively pursued its task –
holding meetings with various administrators; compiling, reviewing and discussing similar approaches from
around the country in creating university-wide approaches to environmental issues; and ultimately developing
a proposal for Faculty Senate consideration in early 2006.
As the proposal began winding its way through various Faculty Senate committees, it became apparent to
CEREO proponents that approval would hinge on two factors: the extent to which WSU faculty members as well
as representatives from other existing environmentally-oriented centers, laboratories and programs were
willing to commit to working with CEREO; and expressed Central Administration commitment to a university-wide
effort focused on the environment. The first potential stumbling block was successfully addressed via response
by over 120 WSU research, education and outreach faculty to CEREO’s electronic call for written indication of a
desire to affiliate with the proposed collaborative and interdisciplinary entity; the second through Central
Administration’s offer to provide start-up funding and operational support during the initial years of CEREO’s
operation. The CEREO proposal was approved by the Faculty Senate on April 13, 2006.
Vision
CEREO's premise is simple: through building synergism and creative collaboration among faculty
involved in environmentally-oriented activities, WSU will be able to make its outstanding environmental
programs more than just the sum of the parts. CEREO's bottom-up approach to institutional transformation
has actively involved faculty, chairs, deans and central administration in the shaping of a center unique
to the culture of Washington State University and the expertise of its members. As a result, CEREO has
been able to identify areas where its efforts will complement rather than conflict with those of
academic disciplines and existing programs.
Mission Statement
This interdisciplinary initiative is actively pursuing funding in support of the Center’s primary goals:
- to facilitate and elevate the visibility of environmental research and collaboration throughout the university system;
- to promote the development of broad interdisciplinary grant proposals for environmental research and outreach;
- to foster productive relationships and coordination of both research and education with diverse stakeholder communities to share information, provide service, and seek opportunities for collaboration;
- to provide a common informational resource for students investigating environmental programs at WSU system-wide;
- to serve the needs of environmental education and outreach.
While CEREO promotes university-wide coordination of course offerings, existing academic units will continue
to have responsibility for environmental course offerings and degree programs. In addition to research and outreach
activities, CEREO will provide a common entry point for new students interested in environmental studies at WSU.
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