FY2024 Provost’s Investment Fund Report
Updated 11:25 a.m. September 19, 2024
During Fiscal Year 2023-2024, the Office of the Provost received an allocation of $24,022,729 from the university strategic allocation to fund the Provost’s Investment Fund (PIF). A total of $19,849,727 was allocated to initiatives (see Table 1) and transferred from PIF to the colleges and units.
A total of $1,347,000 was allocated for strategic initiatives awarded through competitive submissions in Fall 2023. The Office of the Provost did not hold competitive submission for Spring 2024 as part of the university’s financial action plan efforts to address the budget shortfall.
|
CATEGORY |
AMOUNT |
% |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional and Academic Support |
4,809,283 |
24.23% |
| Strategic Hiring Commitment/Start-up for Deans and Dept Heads |
2,688,337 |
13.54% |
| Faculty Salary Support | 2,092,326 |
10.54% |
| Faculty Partner Hires |
1,848,549 |
9.31% |
| Strategic Priority Faculty Initiatives (SPFI) |
1,643,135 |
8.28% |
| Research Support |
1,597,923 |
8.05% |
| Deans and Dept Heads Administrative Stipends |
1,391,716 |
7.01% |
| Provost's Discretionary Support |
753,850 |
3.80% |
| Enterprise Systems |
712,182 |
3.59% |
| New Academic and Student Program |
599,703 |
3.02% |
| Facilities and Infrastructure for Research and Instruction |
392,890 |
1.98% |
| Faculty Retention Salary Support |
361,744 |
1.82% |
| Graduate Interdisciplinary Program (GIDP) Faculty Salary Support |
336,600 |
1.70% |
| Regents Professors Salary Support |
202,554 |
1.02% |
| Distinguished Professors Salary Support |
157,760 |
0.79% |
| Student Support |
154,074 |
0.78% |
| Shared Governance Support |
57,600 |
0.29% |
| Faculty Awards |
41,500 |
0.21% |
| Promotion & Tenure Committee |
8,000 |
0.04% |
| TOTAL | 19,849,727 |
100.00% |
| PIF Cycle | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fall 2023 | 1,347,000 |
| TOTAL | 1,347,000 |
Highlights
The Wonder Room: A Much-Needed Multimedia Laboratory to Train the Next Generation of Journalists in Local, Global, and Borderland Settings
Thanks to Provost Investment Fund (PIF) support and donors’ contribution, the School of Journalism has been able to complete crucial multimedia spaces, including the "Wonder Room." This infrastructure enhancement is advancing the school’s three-year strategic plan and positioning the U of A as a leader in journalism education, particularly in multimedia and bilingual journalism in the borderlands.
The renovated facilities are contributing to several key pillars of the university's mission. They're enhancing the Wildcat Journey by providing distinctive educational experiences, advancing diversity in journalism education, and increasing the social, cultural, and economic impact of the school's programs. Additionally, these improvements are making the School of Journalism a go-to destination for training in border, global, and bilingual journalistic storytelling for students, professionals, and community members alike.
The improvements are also expected to enhance the school's ability to train underrepresented students, provide hands-on experience in live streaming local news, expand education in multiple languages, and make the school a hub for training in border and migration journalism.
Enhancing Training Opportunities in Neuroimaging Research Methods
The project is transforming how students, staff, and researchers learn about brain imaging. Spearheaded by Drs. Dianne Patterson and Aneta Kielar, this innovative project is creating a centralized hub of cutting-edge neuroimaging coursework, accessible to a broad spectrum of learners. Dr. Patterson completed the "Quality Matters Online" course and refactored two Cognitive Science (COGS) courses for undergraduates and larger class sizes. Dr Kielar is currently refactoring her COGS course for online learners.
In addition to coursework, the project also developed several additional community resources. With the help of the School of Information and the XR-Collaborative, Dr. Patterson created a virtual MRI scanner tour. This online, immersive experience allows web users to remotely explore the U of A's high-tech neuroimaging facility from anywhere in the world. Additionally, the project developed three specialized neuroimaging virtual machines (including a HIPAA-compliant one) which put powerful analytical tools at students' and researchers' fingertips. To continue curriculum development, the project established a diverse 11-member Neuroimaging Curriculum Committee (NICC) which has already decided to create a topical workshop course and will meet periodically to discuss future coursework ideas.
Overall, the project has made significant progress in adapting coursework, engaging the neuroimaging community, and developing resources to support neuroimaging education.
Reflecting Arizona: Aligning the Campus Tour Experience with Institutional Excellence
The University of Arizona's Office of Undergraduate Admissions secured funding from the Provost’s Investment Fund (PIF) in Fall 2023 to modernize the campus tour space in Old Main's lower level. This renovation aimed to enhance the recruitment and enrollment of prospective students by better representing the university's value, prestige, and spirit. Campus tours significantly influence students' decisions to apply and enroll, making the upgrade crucial.
Prior to the modernization, the tour space was outdated and multi-purpose, unlike competitors’ dedicated welcome centers, with student feedback indicating it felt "old school and outdated." Research shows that 89% of incoming Fall 2023 college students considered campus visits crucial for college selection. The renovation was seen as a critical step in improving the university's ability to attract and retain students in a competitive higher education landscape.
The revamped area has significantly enhanced the campus visit experience for potential students. It now offers a more engaging and informative tour experience that better showcases the university's strengths. This enhanced initial impression is expected to draw more prospective students, inspiring them to select the University of Arizona for their higher education pursuits.