OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR THE GENETICS OF MODEL PLANTS FOCUS GROUP

OBJECTIVES

The Genetics of Model Plants (GMP) focus group within the Genetics Graduate Group (GGG) will bring together faculty who are active in this area of research to enhance the training opportunities in this area.

Genetics of model plants is defined as research that employs genetic approaches utilizing Arabidopsis thaliana , maize, tomato and other plants as model organisms to answer fundamental biological questions.

ACTIVITIES

The GMP focus group will:

• provide visibility for recruiting students interested in this area,
• develop and maintain a webpage focused on the group,
• allow coordination of research and training in GMP,
• set the specialized curricula as below,
• organize a GGG seminar once every two years focused on GMP,
• assist in the function and administration of the GGG by providing representatives to serve on GGG standing committees,
• conduct a journal club focused on GMP,
• provide the framework for training grants.
  

ADMINISTRATION

The GMP focus group will be administered by a group leader in consultation with the whole membership. There will be no standing committees. Administration (recruiting, advising, etc.) will be through representation on GGG standing committees. Focus group policy will be decided by the whole membership.

ELECTION OF FOCUS GROUP LEADER

The membership will elect a leader by an e-mail ballot of the whole membership. A simple majority of those voting will decide the leadership. The leadership will usually be for a term of three years. A majority vote of the membership can request an earlier election.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to anyone who wishes to actively participate in the GMP focus group for the first year. At the end of the first year, the membership will self assess itself according to the criteria below. Membership will be reviewed every three years subsequently by the whole membership. A majority of those voting will be required for continued membership.

CRITERIA FOR MEMBERSHIP

1) Maintenance of an active research program as evidenced by:

a) significant peer-reviewed publications in the area of genetics of plant model systems

b) adequate funding from competitive sources to support such research.

These criteria will be suspended for new faculty members who will be given reasonable time to publish and to attract funding to meet the requirement.

2) Activity in the GMP focus group as evidenced by:

a) representing the GMP focus group on a GGG standing committee,

b) teaching a GGG core course or the GMP focus group GGG seminar,

c) teaching a course directly relevant to the GMP focus group,

d) sustained participation in an GMP journal club.

Sustained effort in at least one of these four activities is required unless there are significant mitigating circumstances (such as being department chair).