ARD Gold Book - Facts About ARD

ARD Gold Book - Association of Research Directors, Inc.

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Facts About ARD

ARD is the acronym for the Association of Research Directors, Inc. Before there was a change of title from Research Coordinator to Research Director, the organization was previously known as the Association of Research Coordinators (ARC).

ARD (a) coordinates most of the food and agricultural research activities among the 1890 Land-Grant Universities and USDA, other colleges and universities, other federal and state agencies and private industry; (b) coordinates research program planning and budgeting with the Experiment Station Committee on Organization and Policy (ESCOP), USDA and OMB; and (c) cooperates with appropriate national bodies in developing and monitoring legislation affecting research, extension, teaching and international programs at the 1890 Land-Grant Universities.

The voting membership of ARD consists of all 1890 Research Directors. The Regional Research Director, Associate and Assistant Research Directors, former Research Coordinators/Directors, and representatives from affiliate organizations are extended associate non-voting memberships. Ex-officio membership is extended to designated employees of USDA's CSREES.

ARD was incorporated in 1972 in the State of South Carolina at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.

There are six elected officers: chair, chair-elect, past-chair, secretary, treasurer, and a member-at-large. Each officer serves for two years. The secretary and treasurer are eligible for reelection and may serve consecutive terms.

Meetings are held once in the fall and once in the spring of each year; call meetings may be held as need arises. A short meeting is usually scheduled during the Annual Convention of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC). Between meetings, the Executive Committee has the responsibility and authority to act on behalf of the Association. Many of ARD's functions that have regional and/or national focus are handled by assigned committees.

ARD participated in the formulation of Title XIV of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977. ARD was also instrumental in developing legislation, which is known as HR-7557 and S-2955. This legislation called for the appropriation of funds for the purpose of providing agricultural research facilities for the 1890 Land-Grant Universities. ARD members also played a major role in developing legislation which provided additional funds for 1890 extension facilities and a capacity building grants program which strengthen the ability of the 1890 Land-Grant Universities to carry out research and teaching programs.

ARD is recognized as the voice of the 1890 Land-Grant Universities' research programs by pertinent legislative and policy makers and other government and private organizations such as ESCOP, NASULGC, USDA, OMB, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress, U.S. Departments of Energy and Commerce, and the Census Bureau. Its members also serve on many other local, state, national and international committees/boards/councils.