Interview with Richard S. Miller, May 14, 1985

Segment Synopsis: This is an interview with Richard S. Miller of the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University. It takes place in Washington, D.C. on May 14, 1985.

Partial Transcript: Dr. Miller, what was your role

Segment Synopsis: Miller discusses his role in the Ecological Society of America's study committee on the feasibility of TIE. He later recalls the ESA's input on what it wanted TIE to be.

Keywords: Institute of Ecology; ecologists; study committee

Partial Transcript: reflect the original thoughts on the Institution's structure and function

Segment Synopsis: Miller explains why the advisement of PMM led to a disaster. He later displays his thoughts of the original idea of TIE, and why he thinks it went downhill.

Keywords: NCAR; National Center for Atmospheric Research; PMM; Pete, Marwick, & Mitchell; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; disaster; environmental movement; model; nonprofits

Partial Transcript: yet after the Institute was incorporated, the actors felt that getting government funding for the Institute would capture it

Segment Synopsis: Miller reviews his idea of using the National Center for Atmospheric Research as a model for TIE in terms of structure, funding, and administration.

Keywords: Board of Trustees; NCAR; National Center for Atmospheric Research; Richard S. Miller; coherence; independence; job-shopping

Partial Transcript: A part of the organization problem was also the fact that the director was located at the University of Wisconsin

Segment Synopsis: Miller talks about how the diffusion of staff within TIE led to communication gaps and poor productivity overall.

Keywords: Colorado; NCAR; Washington; Wisconsin; communication gap; director; staffing

Partial Transcript: the Institute after it was incorporated; your Institution being Yale University

Segment Synopsis: Miller explains how he originally kept relations up with the Institute, and why later he ended these interactions with TIE.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; Yale University; diaster; ecologists; finding work

Partial Transcript: the ESA opened a policy office in the Washington office

Segment Synopsis: Miller explains why the ESA's Washington office is pointless and how the nonprofit organizations are doing the job so much better. He later adds what the ESA should do, if anything, due to their lack of funding, staffing, and strong leadership.

Keywords: ESA; Ecological Society of America; TIE; The Institute of Ecology; diffuse interests; effectiveness; funding; leadership; nonprofit organizations; presidents; public policy; staffing; waste of time