By Jason Freund 23

The precious resource of water is a topic of discussion and concern throughout the world, and an international water organization that focuses on such topics will be locating its headquarters at SIUC starting May 16.

Benedykt Dziegielewski, associate professor of geography, said the International Water Resources Association focuses on the availability and use of water for ecological and human usage.

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The mission is to collect and pass on information and news about developments in economics, education, health, law, sociology and technology related to water resource management, he said. Contributing to the solutions of water problems in the international arena is a very worthwhile cause.

John Jackson, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost, said bringing the organization to campus will enhance current operations.

We’re most pleased to move this prestigious organization to SIUC, he said. We’re already the home of the University Council on Water Resources, an international organization devoted to water policy.

This will complement what we’re already doing.

Jackson said the organization will give SIUC worldwide exposure.

We’re going to be center of publication and research, not only in the United States, but literally around the world, he said. It’s good news all around.

Robert Jensen, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said the organization will allow expansion for students and faculty.

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It’s (the organization) is a very good thing that will add prestige to the Geography Department and complements the research of many of our faculty, he said.

Dziegielewski said he hopes to start a research arm of the organization at SIUC to bring grant money for faculty research.

Jensen said the organization will help with a new doctoral program being developed in environmental resources management that will include geography, geology and agriculture.

It’s a new Ph.D. unlike anything before that will enable students to get a degree and the professional training necessary for a career in resource management, he said.

The association was founded in 1972 by the faculty at the University of Illinois. Its offices are located at the University of New Mexico, which did not seek to extend its contract with the association.

Dziegielewski, who will act as the executive director, said SIUC applied for the contract three years ago, but came in behind the University of New Mexico.

We came in a very strong second, he said. On the basis of our earlier proposal and the recent proposal (submitted Oct. 17), this was approved three weeks ago.

Dziegielewski said the contract extends through 2003, when the University could extend the contract. He also said having the association on campus will benefit students as well as the University.

The educational benefit of having the organization here is it is of great value to our program and to our students, Dziegielewski said. As funds become available we’ll probably have graduate assistantships and student work opportunities.

Jackson said students definitely will benefit from the organization being located on campus.

It has direct implications for graduate students and indirect implications on undergraduate students, he said. There will be (graduate) assistantships and just be stronger in the area of water research.

Jackson said the SIUC office will be responsible for organizing yearly meetings, conferences and maintaining memberships. Dziegielewski said his priorities include developing a strategic plan for the growth and development of the organization and also to develop a Web site.

Dziegielewski said the University will spend $48,597 each year for partial salaries and graduate assistantships within the new office.

This is seed money because the school is expecting to bring external funds to the University as a result of having this organization here, he said.

Dziegielewski said the rest of the money will come from the organization itself. He also said he hopes to eventually repay the University and allow the organization to become self-standing.

I am quite confident that this could be a stand-alone operation, he said.

Dziegielewski said the University also will use in-kind time release contributions to reduce the required work loads for him and his associate director, Rolando Bravo, an associate professor in engineering.

Instead of doing administrative work here or professional services, he said, the school will allow me to devote this time to furthering and running the organization.

The organization has 1,250 members in 110 countries, and Dziegielewski said he hopes to increase the number of members significantly.

I’d like to double the membership, he said, by the year 2000.