The mission of the School of Forestry and Wood Products (SFWP) is to solve natural-resource problems in response to the needs of science and industry. Implicit in this statement is our belief that a major part of the School's mission is to provide our graduates with a general university education as well as knowledge and skills in the historical, ethical, conceptual, and practical bases of forestry and wood science so that they can effectively communicate this information to others and contribute to continued development of the profession.

For students in the undergraduate Forestry major, this specifically includes

• an understanding of the structure and functions of forest ecosystems, with emphasis on natural processes critical to their long-term health and productivity;
• the knowledge of techniques they can apply to develop management options for forested landscapes;
• the ability to use this understanding and knowledge to develop and communicate realistic alternatives for managing forested landscapes; and
• the ability to work with other professionals and concerned publics to implement decisions which meet the needs of society while maintaining the integrity of ecosystems.

If we are successful in our educational efforts, each Forestry graduate

• qualifies as a professional forest ecosystem scientist/manager after mastering many of the technical skills of the profession;
• knows the historical and theoretical bases of the profession;
• is proficient in oral and written communication;
• has the desire and capacity to grow with the profession;
• is prepared for life-long learning; and
• will become a responsible member of society.

The mission of the Institute of Wood Research (IWR), a unit within the SFWP, is to support environmentally responsible development, use, reuse, and disposal of wood products through three main foci: teaching, research, and service.

This mission supports and confirms the broader mission of the SFWP and the corporate mission of MTU in education at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and it fulfills the mandates stated in the "Enabling Act" which created the Institute. For students in the undergraduate Wood Science major, this specifically includes

• a fundamental knowledge of wood as a renewable engineering material,
• an understanding of the basic principles of wood science, with emphasis in one of four concentration areas,
• the knowledge of and ability to implement various methods of wood utilization, and
• a proficiency in the communication skills that enable the individual to work with other professionals and the concerned public to implement decisions which meet the needs of society while maintaining an economically viable industry.

To be successful in our educational efforts, each Wood Science graduate shall be qualified to be a professional wood scientist/manager after mastering many of the technical skills of the profession. The student shall

• know the historical and theoretical basics of the profession;
• be proficient in oral and written communication;
• have the desire and capacity to grow with the profession;
• be prepared for life-long learning; and
• strive to become a responsible member of society.

Our vision for now and the future is that the SFWP will be recognized throughout the state, region, and nation for its prominent role in forestry and wood-science education and research. The School will stress environmental responsibility. The academic program will stress interdisciplinary research that complements the School’s educational objectives. The School will advance the intellectual climate of the University through its competent, responsible faculty and staff and the courses they teach. The School personnel will be in positions of leadership in the University, community, and their profession.

Historical Overview

The mission and composition of the SFWP has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. At the start of that period, the School had very large undergraduate programs, with about 700 Forestry majors, and very modest graduate and research involvement. The undergraduate enrollment dropped dramatically because of intentional efforts to reduce the number of Forestry students and a dramatic decrease in the number of students interested in forestry careers. It reached a low of about 40 during the mid-eighties. Simultaneously, a large number of faculty members retired. These retirements left a core group of research-oriented faculty, while the replacement positions were used to transform the unit by recruiting individuals with strong commitments to both teaching and research.

Currently, we have strong undergraduate Forestry (135 students) and Wood Products (20 students) programs and strong research (average of $125,000 annually per faculty member) and graduate programs (27 MS and 38 Ph.D. students enrolled). The undergraduate Forestry program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters [6.5A3]. A new undergraduate degree program that awards a BS in Applied Ecology and Environmental Science will be offered starting in Fall 1997.

Nearly all forestry education and research units are located within the SFWP. In the 1980s, the IWR and Ford Forestry Center (FFC) became part of SFWP, uniting all forestry and wood-products research at MTU within one unit, while the Forest Technology program remained within the School of Technology.

The organizational structure of the SFWP has not changed since 1988. The current SFWP Dean has served since 1984, and the Director of IWR (who also serves as the Associate Dean) since 1991. However, a significant revision is pending. SFWP faculty, staff, and Dean have approved the creation of two program areas—one in forestry and one in wood science—each of which would have a Program Coordinator. The position of Associate Dean would be eliminated, and the Program Coordinator for Wood Science would also serve as the Director of IWR. A School Council composed of the Dean, the Program Coordinators, the chairs of five standing School committees, and a staff representative would provide the mechanism for shared governance. The School Council would be responsible for setting long-term goals and strategic planning. Other duties will include being a liaison between the administration and the faculty and staff and setting the agenda for faculty and staff meetings.

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