 Spring/Summer 01 | |
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Director's Message Recently, a note from the office of the Vice Chancellor for Research here at UCLA informed me that, yet again, the university will perform an extensive review of the Cotsen Institute, including the Graduate Program. I must admit that my first reaction was a large and audible groan with the resulting comment of “No, not again!” My second reaction was to call the Vice Chancellor and try to convince him to cancel the review. As it turns out, this was not possible as the upcoming review is what is called a “15-year Review.” The University of California mandates this review, the result of which is a determination whether the research center should be eliminated or renewed for another fifteen years. Although I am not looking forward to yet another review (our third in five years), I quickly realized how easy it should be. The Cotsen Institute is in great shape. Our internal review last year has helped identify problem areas and also helped me identify ways to correct any issues. In fact, the review documents from our internal review will serve as the basis for the information we need to provide the review team in the fall of 2001. The vibrancy of the Cotsen Institute is clear. Our faculty, RAs, and students are conducting important excavations throughout the world, aided in part by funds from the Institute. Our internal labs are growing and becoming more focused upon collaborative research with our field excavations. Our public programs continue to provide important venues for the dissemination of new archaeological finds and interpretations. Our publications program continues to print important monographs and books of collected essays related to new perspectives within the field of archaeology. Our Digital Archaeology Lab continues to move forward with new ways of presenting archaeological data and interpretations. Our outreach program is expanding and we are now assessing the effectiveness of its work and searching for a half-time person to continue the work with k-12 teachers and students. Our degree program remains strong—with its new crop of top-flight students entering each year. Within the next two to three years, we will also initiate a conservation training program, associated with the J. Paul Getty Trust, and begin accepting students. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the Cotsen Institute is financially sound. For the first time, we only have a small deficit that will easily be eliminated within the next several years. Our financial status will also continue to improve as promised funds are added to our endowment. As I look forward to the “15-year Review,” therefore, I know that it will be a relatively simple and easy review. The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA is in superb shape along many lines and will only continue to grow in size, in activities, and in importance both on campus and across the country. |
   
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