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The breadth and depth of this interesting capability 

 represents a great strength for the nation, and at the same 

 time, its complexity presents challenges to those of us who 

 seek to guide and direct these activities. As you continue to 

 explore ways in which we can improve our planning and priority 

 setting, as well as our implementation of programs, I know you 

 will look broadly upon our capacities, and continue to 

 challenge us to serve through multiple functions across broad 

 areas of human interest. 



Strength through inter-dependence. Along with a broad range 

 of subject matter competency and functional activity, the 

 land-grant university system of academic programs, fundamental 

 and applied research, and extension education, forms a complex 

 web of inter-dependent relationships. Faculty creativity, the 

 most precious of our human resources, can be focused across a 

 broad spectrum of human needs, and is often redirected to meet 

 new challenges and opportunities. This inter-dependence 

 provides both serendipity and the opportunity for redundancy 

 without loss of efficiency. To fully draw on this strength 

 requires an understanding of the manner in which the parts 

 interact. While change can be both rapid and positive, care 

 must be exercised to prevent unforeseen damage elsewhere 

 within the system. 



Partnerships can support strong priorities. The long time 

 partnership between federal, state, and local entities 

 supporting the land-grant system has proven its effectiveness. 

 As this model is applied across a broader and broader range of 

 subject areas and functional relationships, the need to 

 harmonize the priority process increases. As has been 

 mentioned, federal funding for activities within the land- 

 grant system is augmented better than three to one by non- 

 federal funds. This synergistic relationship is possible 

 because priorities identified at all levels receive 

 appropriate attention. Utilization of the varied funding 

 arrangements now available makes it possible to target 

 priorities of variable interests in a most efficient fashion. 

 As the capabilities of the university system are focused on 

 more and more broad objectives within the Department, and as 

 these programs are combined with programs of interest to other 

 Departments of government, the need to redefine the 

 partnership becomes more critical. 



America's higher education system is changing, and land-grant 

 agriculture is at the forefront . Few can argue that America's 

 system of higher education is the envy of the world, yet 

 recent years have brought unprecedented change in public 

 satisfaction with and expectations of this system. As perhaps 

 the most visible and client oriented element of this system, 

 the land-grant agricultural units have undergone intense self 

 examination and rapid change during the past decade. These 



