name dropping in proposals Martha M. Taylor 12 Sep 2001 15:22 EST

I am just curious to know how strict the rest of you are related to
requiring back up documentation in your files for proposals where external
folks are listed in some way as consultants or advisors or collaborators.
In general we have always required some kind of note, memo, e-mail or
formal letter indicating that the person knows they have been mentioned in
our proposal and that they are ok with the proposal and the way in which
they are represented.

One of our more savvy faculty members has challenged me a bit on this
issue.  He runs a research center and probably does have a cache of
colleagues that he can turn to for advice and collaboration as needed.  Do
we trust him and let it go?  If so, why?  Would we have a different set of
rules for those faculty we feel are less savvy?  Is there some cut-off for
determining what backup is needed for real involvement in a project versus
just name dropping to make us look good to the sponsor?  Does it really
matter in the long run?

Any best practices or good arguments you can provide to help me look at
this in a more reasonable way is appreciated.
******************************************
Martha M. Taylor, Director
Office of Sponsored Programs
310 Samford Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5131

334-844-4438
334-844-5953 (fax)

xxxxxx@auburn.edu

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