Would seem to me to be a personal professional expense and in the absence of clear and convincing evidence that it had direct benefit to the conduct of the contract I don't believe it is allowable. 
 
We have in rare instances allowed a short term membership where the society has a professional publication that is (according to the PI) essential to the conduct of the particular grant or contract.  Membership must only be available to a member of the profession and the University is unable to acquire the publication or obtain a membership through our library  This must be confirmed by library staff.  I can't remember when we last approved a membership under these ciscumstances.
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Ware, Jeanne
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 2:11 PM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: [RESADM-L] Lifetime membership

Good afternoon –

 

I have tried to search various institutions web sites to get an answer to a couple of questions, but unfortunately am spending too much time sifting through non-applicable web pages in my efforts.  I am hoping you can answer these off the top of your head, or you can get someone in your institution to answer the following for us.  Thanks!

 

Does or would your institution allow for Lifetime Individual Memberships to professional or other organizations where an institutional membership is not offered by the organization?  Would the answer to the above question be different if someone wants to use contract funds (assuming the contract has no restrictions)?

 

We have the situation whereby a faculty member purchased a lifetime membership to a professional organization in her field (Ecological Society of America) and is now trying to be reimbursed from various sources of moneys (state-a little, foundation-some and contract-most).

 

Thanks,

 

Jeanne V. Ware

Director

Office of Research Programs and Services

New College of Florida

5800 Bay Shore Road, COH 212

Sarasota, Florida 34243-2109

http://www.ncf.edu/orps/

941.487.4649

941.487.4201 fax

 

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