Records of the Institute of Environmental Biology

In early 1960, a committee was formed at Colorado State University (CSU), led by Professor Robert M. Johnson, to investigate the need for a campus-wide institute focused on environmental biology. The committee was tasked to prepare a tentative constitution, objectives, and scope of purpose. The drafted constitution was put before a vote of the State Board of Agriculture, which approved the constitution to establish the Institute of Environmental Biology on June 16, 1960.

The Institute of Environmental Biology was to serve as a non-administrative body in a coordinating and advisory capacity to member departments and agencies interested in environmental biology to stimulate a broad and integrated program of teaching and research; and to serve in a coordinating and advisory capacity to University officials, the Curriculum Committee, and other committees relative to the establishment and coordination of proposed programs in environmental biology. It also sponsored scientific functions, promoted financial assistance for graduate students, and facilitated individual staff research and inter-departmental research. Membership to the institute was by individual, not by department, and any staff member whose teaching or research responsibilities and interests included direct emphasis on environmental biology was able to join.