Interview with Arthur Wells Cooper, April 18, 1985

Subjects: Interview with Dr. Arthur Wells Cooper of North Carolina State University at Raleigh; takes place April 18, 1985

Partial Transcript: In the late 1960s, the Ecological Society of America was conducting a study on the advisability of establishing an institute of ecology.

Segment Synopsis: Cooper describes his impression on ESA's support of the Institute. He stated that the support was very divergent, either serving full support or having no opinion.

Keywords: Ecological Society of America; Institute of Ecology; TIE; divergent opinions; goals and objectives; support

Partial Transcript: Concerns were expressed that the proposed Institute would compete with research efforts at universities.

Segment Synopsis: Cooper believes that The Institute of Ecology was indeed in competition with universities' research interests throughout its life; a main problem that contributed to TIE's demise.

Keywords: TIE; The Institute of Ecology; competition; ecological research; universities' research interests

Partial Transcript: Consisting of two groups: the founders or sponsors and the assembly.

Segment Synopsis: Cooper depicts how the two groups leading the Institute created problems because of their different objectives within TIE.

Keywords: TIE's problems; assembly; divergent leadership; founders; management; public policy; research

Partial Transcript: were they secondary to other problems that prevented TIE from reaching its objectives

Segment Synopsis: Cooper summarizes how the financial troubles led to a lack of confidence in the organization. He gives examples of poor managerial decisions, indicating that the financial downturn could have been prevented.

Keywords: Felix Rimberg; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; dream world; ecologists; financial problems; funding difficulties; introverted; lack of confidence; managerial leadership; original objectives; reality

Partial Transcript: Well, in retrospect

Segment Synopsis: Cooper believes that the Institute was a good idea, originally. He follows that there were many flaws in the way the Institute was structured, leading to poor management. Later, he continues discussing what could have become of TIE if it wasn't for its financial struggles.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; Washington office; bad timing; cumbersome; demise; development; flaws in structure; layers; leadership; misguided

Partial Transcript: Do you think the new ESA office will takeover some of the responsibilities that had been outlined by TIE

Segment Synopsis: Cooper reviews the tactics that the new Ecological Society of America office in Washington should take to avoid the same mistakes that led to TIE's demise. He explains the bottom-line is money.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; Washington DC; Washington office; bottomline; ecology; finances; funding; money; organization; public policy issues; research