October 2, 2001

Columbus, Ga. --- Columbus State University has recorded another record-breaking year of external funding, show newly completed figures from fiscal year 2000-01.

But this years number is even more impressive as external grants and contracts topped $3 million for the first time in the schools history, said Raj Sashti, CSUs director of grants and sponsored programs.

In the recently completed fiscal year, CSU attracted $3.123 million in grants and contracts to pay for teaching, public service and research, Sashti said. The funding comes from sources such as the U. S. Department of Education, the state of Georgia departments of Education and Natural Resources, NASA, and various other state and federal agencies.

The total from last year is a 7.2 percent increase over the previous year and represents a dozen-fold increase in external funding from 10 years ago when, in fiscal year 1991, CSU logged $257,000.

This years total - the growth in the last 10 years - is yet another indication of the university's strength, CSU officials said.

Funding from external agencies is of great importance to CSU, not only for the financial support but also because of the confidence expressed in the university, said CSU President Frank Brown. This funding allows CSU to pursue academic and service areas which are a part of our mission, while enriching the community in ways we could not otherwise accomplish.

Fiscal year 2000s total was $2.9 million, up from $2 million in fiscal year 1999, $1.58 million in fiscal year 1998 and $1.6 million in fiscal year 1997.

The funding goes toward a variety of projects by CSU faculty, including technology training for teachers, international education, water sampling throughout Georgia, and research on families with substance abuse.

One of the university's largest grants last year was $417,311, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The money is funding James Gore, professor and director of CSU's graduate program in environmental science, and eight graduate students to conduct phase three of a study to find a way to quickly determine water quality, so state officials can take samples and more accurately determine the health of our streams and rivers. The total value of the entire project is more than $1.25 million with phase four slated to begin in 2002.

Sashti said CSUs success in increasing its external funding can be attributed to the strength of the faculty, the growing reputation of CSU, successful partnerships and good cooperation between the faculty and administration.

As we look to the future, Sashti said. we see a potential to reach a $5 million goal within two or three years.

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Contacts: Raj Sashti
568-2062
e-mail: sashti_rajgopal@ColumbusState.edu

James Gore
568-2067
gore_james@ColumbusState.edu