Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists

To Advance The Knowledge And Wise Use Of Our Soil Resources

Dear Dr. Payne,

The membership of the Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists (MAPSS) is an active organization in Missouri. Our membership, over 100 strong are located throughout the state, with numerous MU Soils Department Alumni. We are concerned about the recent administrative restructuring of the Soil and Atmospheric Sciences Department.

You have removed the Departmental status and we are very interested in what administrative structure will be put in its place to create enhanced opportunities to improve the programs. In your memo of January 18 to Dr. Vogt, you suggest the the "change is being made... to attract and inspire those interested faculty... to develop a dynamic, soil-based, environmental science program..." We are very concernded that dissolving Departmental status will have the opposite effect. What is the specific plan for an "environmental science program"? How will critical soil science faculty be contained within it? We would like to open a dialogue with you to answer these questions in the most successful manner possible.

The number of soils faculty positions at MU has declined steadily. Critical positions in Soil Chemistry and Soil Microbiology are vacant. Will MU remain competitive for the brightest, capable soil science students? What does this mean to the understanding and management of the important soil resources in Missouri, and the future of professional soil scientists in our state. These are important and timely questions at this point in Missouri history, because of the increased demand for soils information in both the public and private sectors. At present there are insufficient, qualified soil scientists to meet this demand.

As professional Missouri soil Scientists, we believe, and know you agree, that wise management of the soil resource is critical to sustaining healthy, productive Missouri ecosystems. The University of Missouri, as a land-grant institution, has the responsibility to provide the research, the technical expertise, and training necessary for Missourians to understand and manage Missouri's soils accross the spectrum of their uses.

The MAPSS membership will continue to watch and work closely withthe University and the citizens of Missouri to insure that the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources is a vital, dynamic and effective force for soil science education.

Sincerely,

Dennis Meinert, President
The Missouri Association of Professional Soil Scientists (MAPSS) showmemapss.org

Cc: Board of Curators, Office of the Secretary, 316 University Hall, UMC, Columbia , MO 65211
Cc: Dr Manuel Pacheco, President, 321 University Hall, UMC, Columbia, MO 65211
Cc: Dr Richard Wallace, Chancellor, 105 Jesse Hall, UMC, Columbia, MO 65211
Cc: Dr Brady Deaton, Provost and Executive Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, 114 Jesse Hall, UMC, Columbia, MO 65211

College of Agriculture,
Food and Natural Resources
University of Missouri-Columbia
Office of the Vice Chancellor and Dean
2-69 Agriculture Building
Columbia, MO 65211-7120
PHONE (573) 882-3846
FAX (573) 884-6539

March 22, 2002

Dear Dennis:

Thank you for your letter of March 1st and expression of support for the soil science program. I understand the concern you expressed about the implications of the recent restructuring, but I want to assure you that I am committed to the success of a restructured soils program which will require enhanced communication and collaboration among soils faculty in CAFNR and other colleges.

The soil science faculty continue as an academic program with undergraduate and graduate degrees. They have full representation on elected School committees. They recently chose to change the name of their program from Soil Science to "Environmental Soil Science". There is support for this program which will stress the broad involvement of faculty and professionals across campus. Such a change must go through the University approval protocols. We are moving rapidly to form a comprehensive soils program that involves MU soil scientists and MU faculty with soils-related interests working with professional soil scientists and others in agencies with soil science interests. A facilitated workshop is being planned to advance this initiative.

I concur fully about the importance of the soils research and education program for the state and region as being central to the land-grant mission of MU. I am optimistic we are now on a path toward forming a soil science program that will serve Missourians to the full potential of existing faculty .The soils faculty have been asked to develop a comprehensive, collaborative soil science program at MU that will attract undergraduate majors, provide appropriate outreach and create opportunities for research. On February 25, Unit Leaders in Natural Resources and Plant Sciences convened a group of MU soils faculty from SNR and Agronomy to discuss the development of a comprehensive soil science program at MU. A second faculty meeting is scheduled in April to establish goals and develop a strategy for engaging a broader group of participants. In addition, a subgroup of soils faculty, the Soil Fertility Working Group, is moving in a positive direction, meets regularly,and may be the first soils-related mission area that transcends the department/unit boundaries. Participants come from the old soils group, agronomy, and bioengineering-ARS.

I agree about the importance of the availability of core soils courses needed to educate future soil scientists and resource managers. Unfortunately, the current tight budget situation at MU and the College has forced us to put filling key faculty positions on hold. We are seeking alternative approaches to teach subjects for which we do not have available faculty expertise. For example, Bob Kremer and Bob Lerch, ARS scientists and adjunct faculty, have taught soil microbiology and soil chemistry courses during the past two years. We will likely continue this "partnering" approach across the College until our budget situation improves.

I look forward to working with you and colleagues to develop a strong Environmental Soil Science program at MU.

cc: Chancellor Richard Wallace
    Provost Brady Deaton
    Director Al Vogt
    Associate Dean Michael Chippendale
    Associate Dean John Gardner
    Associate Deal Paul Vaughn