Wouldn’t that be like beating a dead bear—oooops, I meant horse.

Robert P. Bloomberg
Director, Office of Grants & Contracts
Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington Street (Tupper 10)
Boston, MA 02111
Tel. 617.636.1142
Fax. 617.636.8568

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Lingle, Gary
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 3:18 PM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

Wow, no Palin jokes.

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Melissa D. Jordan
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:26 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

Thank you all for the light in my work load yesterday and today.

https://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/healthency.do?hwid=aa93107spec (see a portion of the text below)

What is humor therapy?

Humor therapy (sometimes called therapeutic humor) uses the power of smiles and laughter to aid healing. Humor therapy helps you find ways to make yourself (or others) smile and laugh more. When you think of humor therapy, picture clowns in the children's ward of a hospital cheering up sick children. Some hospitals now have humor carts that provide funny materials for people of any age. Many nurses have learned the value of providing a good laugh to those they care for.

Scientists have been researching the relation between the mind and the body, especially in connection with the body's ability to heal (a field called psychoneuroimmunology). Laughter appears to change brain chemistry and may boost the immune system.

Humor may allow a person to feel in control of a situation and make it seem more manageable. It allows people to release fears, anger, and stress, all of which can harm the body over time. Humor improves the quality of life.

(not suggesting anyone should laugh at a charging bear though).

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Bloomberg, Robert
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 8:04 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

I’m sorry—this has gone too far—guns to shoot moose? Next it’ll be guns to shoot large deer with big horns, then rabbits with sharp teeth, and, well, who knows.

By the way, how would you artificially inseminate a bear? Wait, I don’t wanna know

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Rasmussen, Joseph
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:51 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

Depends.

According to Stumpy Eargone, the head of our Grizzly Bear Artificial Insemination Team, the desired outcome can be achieved without mortally wounding the animal. The bullets that wound the animal, (remember; moose are just as dangerous as bears) would be allowable. The researcher should be aware that those that miss will be very costly.

Joe

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Bloomberg, Robert
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 7:20 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

That almost sounds reasonable. How would you charge a bullet that merely wounds the bear?

Robert P. Bloomberg
Director, Office of Grants & Contracts
Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington Street (Tupper 10)
Boston, MA 02111
Tel. 617.636.1142
Fax. 617.636.8568

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Rasmussen, Joseph
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 2:27 PM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

You are all way too generous. I would say no to the box and holster, (not allocable) and reimburse the researcher for only the bullet or bullets that actually stop a life threatening attack. All ammo used for target practice should be funded from a non-grant source, as it is similar to grant writing or R&D.

Joe Rasmussen

Budget Analyst

University of Montana

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

University Hall 202

Missoula, MT 59812

(406) 243-5078

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Joy Muir
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:09 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

Well, I was thinking we were dealing with scientists (not generally known as “big game” hunters)…

Coming from Montana, and being an experienced bow hunter (not bears!), I don’t know any guides who would recommend guns over rifles; I believe they would even prefer bear spray in this case (being inexperienced and not actually trying to kill the animal). I bet the grant would more easily pay for that!

Joy Muir, MS
Grant / Contract Coordinator
Dept of Kinesiology
Center for Metabolic Biology
Arizona State University
ISTB1 Rm. 481M
P.O. Box 873704
Tempe, AZ 85287-3704
Tel. 480.727.6152
FAX 480.727.6183

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Surprenant, James M.
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 10:37 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

I don't see this being any different than covering the costs of a cell phone as a direct cost for an inner-city researcher going into a dangerous urban setting.

Bottom line? Dead PI = no research.

If there is a risk of bear attack, then this would obviously be a reasonable cost. Of course, the university's legal department will need to do its due diligence up front to address liability issues.

Finally, for the uninitiated city-types, the right handgun will stop a bear. Many sportsmen and women do hunt big game with handguns, I wouldn't... but some do. (Do a Google if you want to know more.)

Have a great week gang,

James

James M. Surprenant, MBA
SENIOR GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR
The Brigham & Women's Hospital
Department of Surgery
Tel: 617-525-7409
xxxxxx@partners.org

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Parker, Paul
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 12:19 PM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

I responded direct to Lori but after reading responses I felt compelled to comment to the listserv.

This is an allowable expense. We have conducted field work in Alaska for a number of years

and firearms and associated items were purchased using federal funds. As I mentioned to

Lori we worked through our University Police department and the mail services (we had the

rifles shipped to the field site). You’re dealing with very dangerous animals, i.e. Kodiak bears.

And all caution must be used not to disturb their environment we saw pictures of the bears

coming towards the researchers and they were not going to fall back.

Paul Parker

Paul C. Parker

Associate Vice President for

Research Administration

State University of New York

PO Box 6000

Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

607-777-6752 Fax 607-777-4354

email: xxxxxx@binghamton.edu

From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On Behalf Of Lori Johnson
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:40 AM
To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Allowable Cost?

Thank you.

Lori

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 9:23 AM, Brazil, Renea <xxxxxx@uams.edu> wrote:

Lori,

I would disagree with the statement below. A-21 defines allowable costs as “must be reasonable, must be allocable to the sponsored agreements under the principles and methods provided herein, they must be given consistent treatment through GAAP, and conform to any limitations”.

Would your institution cover personal costs on any other funding? I’m not sure that a federal agency would agree that they should be charged for these items of personal safety to do the work that the institution proposed it could do…it looks more like an employee cost which would be part of F&A, not a direct cost to a grant.

Also, the items would not be used so

====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================

Methodist. Leading Medicine.

Recognized by U.S.News & World Report as an "Honor Roll" hospital

Ranked No. 8 on FORTUNE magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2009
Designated as a Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing

Visit us at methodisthealth.com

***CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE***
This e-mail is the property of The Methodist Hospital and/or its relevant affiliates and may contain restricted and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender and delete all copies of the message. Thank you.