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By Edina A.T. Strum
Arizona Daily Wildcat
August 21, 1996
"We're number one" isn't just a cheer heard at UA basketball games. It also indicates the UA's status as one of the top research universities in the country.According to the Carnegie Institute of Washington, D.C., the University of Arizona has attained the highest level possible for research universities - Research I status.
The Carnegie Institute is a private organization dedicated to "encouraging investigation, research and discovery and the application of knowledge to the improvement of mankind," according to its mission statement.
Part of its efforts include establishing classification systems for all colleges and universities in the United States.
The classifications are based on factors such as classes offered, the number of graduate programs and doctoral recipients and the amount of research money received, according to Michael Cusanovich, vice president for research and graduate studies.
"There are about 3,000 colleges and universities, but only 65 to 67 qualify to be called Research I schools," he said.
Research I is the top level a research-intensive institution can achieve. To reach this level, a school must receive at least $65 million a year in research grants and graduate at least 70 doctoral students per year.
Last year, the UA was awarded over $239 million in grant money and graduated about 380 doctoral students.
Other classifications include "comprehensive" schools, which focus on research but on a smaller scale and "liberal arts" schools that concentrate on the social sciences and arts.
While the UA is proud of its Research I ranking, Cusanovich emphasized that it is just one measure of a school, and research-oriented schools may not provide the right environment for every student.
Every student has different educational and career goals and should match those interests to the appropriate academic atmosphere, he said.
"We have a lot of choices in this country, you can find the educational opportunity that suits you," Cusanovich said.
An informal survey of UA students shows that the Carnegie ranking isn't common knowledge.
"Research I means the UA is known for its name?" asked Melissa Romano, an American Indian studies graduate student.
"I guess it means research is a priority," said Lewis Fowler, a media arts sophomore.
The most common response was a blank stare and, "I don't know."
Although some students may be unfamiliar with the terminology, Cusanovich said that everyone at this university benefits from the ranking.
He said the fringe benefits of a being a Research I university are:
- The degree students earn has more name recognition - much like a degree from Harvard.
- The best faculty are drawn to the school.
- The best students are drawn to the school.
Rankings and benefits aside, the reason the UA emphasizes research at all is because of the scientific progress it encourages, Cusanovich said.
"Since World War II, research universities have driven technological and economic development in this country "
He said that all these research efforts have the more immediate effect of keeping the faculty at the leading edge of their fields and provides students an opportunity to be involved in the scientific process by working in research labs.
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