The university department that funds research to keep faculty practicing in their field could name an interim director early this week.

The department, Grants and Research, has been without a director since late September when 25-year Eastern employee Bud May left for a similar job at Regis University in Denver.

Research, such as getting reports published in a professional journal or magazine, is critical to faculty because it is one of three requirements they must fulfill according to departmental guidelines. The other two are teaching and departmental service to his or her profession.

Last week, members from the university’s Council of Research, and Bob Augustine, dean of the Graduate School, finished interviews for the interim director of Grants and Research opening. Interviews with five internal candidates began Oct. 20 and ended Oct. 31. The five candidates are:

-Garrett DeRuiter, art and faculty development

-Robert Chestnut, associate chemistry professor

-Jonathan Blitz, chemistry professor

-Allen Davis, mathematics professor

-Keith Andrew, chair of the Physics Department

Blair Lord, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said Friday he expects Augustine, whose graduate school department oversees the Department of Grants and Research, to propose a candidate to him this week.

All five candidates currently work at Eastern, and if they were offered the position, readjustment of their schedules could be needed.

“If it were to be a faculty member, they probably have other teaching duties,” Lord said.

If the position is filled with faculty, the university would then have to determine how time could be budgeted for their new duties for the remainder of this fall semester and next spring.

Lord said Augustine and the Council of Research have proposed creating a separate position for faculty to seek research advise, while the permanent position was vacant.

A national search will be conducted in spring 2004 for the permanent director position.

“I think this will work out to everyone’s satisfaction,” Lord said.

Stability at the position is needed, as demonstrated by the Faculty Senate action Oct. 21 over not being informed well about the interview times of the possible candidates for the position.

Lord, Augustine and English professor Richard Sylvia visited with the senate Tuesday and described the situation. The position opening had been posted on the University’s Newsletter for the last three weeks, Lord said.

“And the senate, when they heard that, said ‘thank you,'” Lord said.

Faculty members stress the need for a capable director of Grants and Research.

Mathematics professor Leo Comerford, also a senate member, said those who research within his or her field “brings something to teaching when they are an active practitioner of your discipline.”

Comerford had previously used grant money to attend an international conference in Australia and fund summer projects. He estimated he dedicates 15 to 20 percent of his time to research.

On top of teaching courses, Eastern faculty must also contribute to research and departmental service, such as the Faculty Senate or Council of Academic Affairs.

“A little funding goes a long way as far as funding productivity and research,” Comerford said.

John Stimac, an assistant professor of geology/geography who spends 40 percent of his time on research, agrees with Comerford although he receives his grant money externally and not through the university’s Grants and Research Department.

“Research is an important goal for all faculty regardless the position,” Stimac says, “and we need experienced researchers in the Office of Grants and Research.”