Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part series that is looking into Iowa State’s strategic plan for 2000-2005, which encompasses three concepts: engagement, discovery and learning.

Today’s article focuses on discovery.

In an attempt to be more inclusive of less-traditional forms of creativity, the 2000-2005 strategic plan now uses the concept of “discovery.”

ISU President Martin Jischke said the new terminology is “cutting-edge.”

“The new strategic plan, with its use of the newer language — learning, discovery and engagement — is an attempt to conceive of the university’s mission in a more modern and holistic way,” he said. “And I believe the use of this language is really a positive thing for the university.”

Discovery is a more inclusive concept than research, Jischke said.

“I think it’s an attempt to broaden the idea of research to include not only what we have traditionally labeled research, but to bring in other kinds of creative activities faculty do that contribute to the larger good,” he said.

New learning styles would fit under discovery but not usually be considered research, he said.

“One of the ways the faculty in particular demonstrate their creativity is in developing new ways of delivering their material,” Jischke said. “A new way of helping students learn … ought to be recognized for its creativity but wouldn’t necessarily be labeled research.”

Faculty members are not the only focus of discovery, he said.

“Discovery is absolutely central to graduate education,” he said. “It is becoming increasingly a part of undergraduate education as well.”

Jischke said design programs, honors programs and undergraduate lab assistantships are ways for students to get involved in discovery.

“The reason this discovery work goes on at a university instead of a research lab … is because we believe it enhances the education of the students to be involved with discovery,” he said.

Some faculty members have said Iowa State is too focused on research. Jorgen Rasmussen, distinguished emeritus professor of political science, was a co-author of the faculty petition that expressed feelings that teaching is declining in importance next to research.

Rasmussen said he is uncertain whether the new language in the strategic plan will make a difference in how teaching is valued.

“It’s hard to know until it actually goes into effect,” he said. “It could mean it’s a change; obviously at this point, it’s just language.”

How the administrators — especially the president who will replace Jischke — interpret discovery is key, Rasmussen said.

“We don’t know what the views and values of that president is going to be, and that’s going to be a lot more important than rhetoric,” he said.

Jischke said he does not think the university overemphasizes research, and the new language is not intended to change this.

“Iowa State has multiple missions: It includes education, teaching and learning; it includes outreach, technology transfer; and it includes research and discovery,” he said. “[Research is] an important part of our mission and something we ought to do well.”

The strategic plan states, “As a Carnegie I university with the tradition of Science with Practice, Iowa State believes that discovery and innovation characterized by preeminent scholarship — encompassing research, creative activities, teaching/learning, and extension/professional practice — will mark our commitment to discovery, thereby enhancing our national and international distinction.

“Institutional agility and interdisciplinary collaboration will allow Iowa State to undertake bold visionary initiatives with special attention to ethics and social, economic, and environmental responsibility.”

Jischke said Science with Practice is one of the university’s mottos. It means combining the technical and practical sides of scientific discovery.

“I think science as it is traditional understood involves a knowledge of the world around us, the systematic exploration of nature,” he said. “Science with practice is an attempt to capture in a succinct way both understanding nature and using that knowledge to solve problems with society.”

A goal of discovery is “National recognition through focused emphasis on research programs related to agriculture, veterinary medicine, natural and social sciences, engineering, technology, environmental stewardship, and economic development.”

Jischke said national attention is not the only purpose of innovations.

“It’s certainly a part of what happens when discovery works well, but the primary motive of discovery as a university is deepening the understanding of the world around us and using that knowledge to help society, and presumably if that is done it will bring attention to the university, but discovery is not just to bring attention to the university,” he said.

The strategic plan stresses the importance using collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts to achieve discovery. Jischke said problems that come up in the world “very rarely require the understandings of a single discipline.”

“Our plant sciences initiatives at Iowa State are a classic example: They involve botany, genetics, entomology, plant pathology, agronomy, statistics, the computer sciences, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, etc., etc., etc.

“Many of the most important scientific questions are interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary in character, and that is emphasized on the way we conduct research at Iowa State,” he said.

“Discovery”

According to the 2000-2005 strategic plan, characteristics include:

* Preeminent scholarship encompassing research, creative activities, teaching, and extension/professional practice

* Excellence in basic and applied research by building on Iowa State’s strengths

* National recognition through focused emphasis on research programs

* Nationally recognized innovations to enhance effective teaching and learning

* Bold visionary initiatives in basic and applied research