START  >   1967-1972  |   1972-1980  |   1980-1993  |   1993-2002  >   Remaining Chapters

1972-1980. Youth: The Years of Early Growth

Change of Leadership

Perhaps because the original MoU was prepared under pressure for fast action in the summer of 1967, some weaknesses with regard to the governance of the Institute had been overlooked. In particular, no provision had been made for the adoption of bylaws to regularize procedures for implementing the actions called for in the MoU. Among other deficiencies, nowhere was a term for the director specified nor a process for reappointing or replacing that officer expressed. By 1979 it became clear that a set of bylaws, drafted by the Council of Fellows and endorsed by NOAA and the University was a necessity. Director Kisslinger did not favor indefinitely long service for any director (quite in conflict with the views of some of his fellow directors of other University institutes). From his experience with organized research units in other universities, he felt that eight years was about right. This feeling was reinforced under the changed circumstances in CIRES after his appointment, because of the shift in content of the ERL mission. With the strong support of the ERL leadership he had been able to establish a workable place for solid-earth science in the Institute that assured its continuation in spite of the altered conditions, even as the atmospheric sciences grew in strength. Some of the fellows in atmospheric science made it quite clear that they preferred a new director who was basically embedded in their discipline.

In the absence of any other mechanism for making a change, the director called a meeting of the fellows with Dean Lipetz on December 29, 1978 and announced his intention of resigning as of July 1, when he became eligible for a sabbatical leave from the University. The meeting discussed the formation of a search committee and the drafting of by-laws for the institute. In a letter of January 17, 1979, he submitted to Dean Lipetz the fellows' nominees for chairmanship of the search committee and suggestions for membership.

The process of writing bylaws began and the first draft appeared in March 1979. The process was long and complex, as approval by the fellows, NOAA, and the University was required. Since that initial formulation, the CIRES bylaws have undergone several revisions to meet changing circumstances. One such change was that the appointment of fellows became an appointment by the chancellor of the Boulder campus, rather than a presidential appointment. This change recognized that CIRES was actually a Boulder campus operation, even though the original agreement left open the possibility that it might have become an all- University activity. Also, the number of categories of people affiliated with CIRES was expanded beyond the original four to recognize formally the inclusion of professional research assistants, research associates, and students, both graduate and undergraduate.

Upon Kisslinger's departure to Germany in July 1979 to begin his leave, Robert Sani was appointed as acting director, to serve until a new director took office. Robert E. Sievers was elected to begin serving in 1980, opening an era of rapid evolution of the Institute.

Next > 1980-1993. Maturity: The Years of Broadening and Deepening