UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1986-05_Page-066

• • • Wednesday May 21, 1986 THE AMERICAK UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO BOARD OF TRVSIEES DESERT CENTER COMMITTEE River Club Attending: }1ssrs. Ted Bacon, Bob Brown, Tim Craig, Minor Crary, Ralph Nelson, Bayly Winder, President Pedersen. Recorder: Mrs. Molly Bartlett The .meeting consisted primarily of a report on the current status of the Desert Center, given by Dr. Pedersen. He reported that, because of the illness of Dr. Moyer Hunsberger, the Desert Center Visiting Committee had not yet been appointed. However, Mr. John Goelet has said he would be willing to finance a preliminary visit of Dr. Mason Marvel from Auburn University. Dr. Pedersen did not have a resume of Dr. Marvel in hand but expected it momentarily. Dr. Pedersen expressed the hope that Dr. Marvel would visit AUC and the Desert Center in late spring, early summer. He expects the full visiting committee to come in November or so. Names for the visiting committee are being solicited now. The mission of the committee ,,1111 be to: 1. give the Center some very specific goals, 2. recommend structure required to carry out the goals, and 3. identify financing sources. Dr. Pedersen voiced his enthusiasm for the Center. He thinks its prospects are good and it is an endeavor in which AUC can make a real contribution to Egyptian development. He felt the annual report generated by the Center this year was excellent. He also said that one of Dr. Hunsberger's roles in the new position of Executive Vice President will be to oversee the work of the Desert Center. the Social Research Center, the Management Center, and the Engineering Services Program. A real problem which the Desert Center faces is housing for its person~el .. Just recently in the Government contingent document for AUC at Sadat Clty, lt was discovered that the 25 feddans AUC currently controls in Sadat City are subject to reversion to the government in 30 years. Dr. Pedersen accordingly is very reluctant to consider building there. So other alternatives for housing must be looked into now. Dr. Pedersen mentioned that several projects of the Center (the Casurana trees, the citrus trees, fertilizer, sheep, and vegetables) are doing well. At this moment, Dr. Bishay is planning a pre-proposal for submission to the NARP for funding for the Center. After a general discussion, Dr. Pedersen concluded the meeting by saying that he thought the visiting committee will be invaluable in focusing the efforts of the Center