Kim,

 

I have seen researchers supervise from afar.  My son is in a PhD program in theoretical chemistry and was at my house doing some sort of calculations on the computer 150 miles away.  He was chatting with his supervisor through Skype.  The supervisor was in a different state then both the computer and the kid.  So  as weary as you are, I know it can be done. 

 

If the students affirm and certify and then another person certifies.  It will be ok.  Make sure you have the VPAA approval of the PI’s process in writing.  Just tell the PI that you are a bit uncomfortable with the distance and trying to convince an outside auditor that this was done.  In turn you would like him to send a brief email explaining his process for working and supervising.  Once received forward to the VPAA for his approval.  That is your due diligence.  Or at least that would be mine.

 

Cheers,

Rene

 

 

Hello

 

OK, so I have a PI who is and has been out of the country all summer. He is expecting to get paid for his “full-time summer research” that he’s doing. He is also “supervising student researchers.” The students are here on campus working. The PI claims he is supervising the students. The students have apparently been working all summer. They are receiving a stipend for the research they are doing. They are not keeping timesheets. How do I verify they are actually working? I have to have the Chair verify their work, since he is here this summer. Should they just fill out effort reports for the Chair to certify? Is this acceptable that the PI is out of the country and still being paid and his students are getting paid for doing his research which he is overseeing them even though he is not physically present?

 

I talked to my boss, the VPAA, and he was ok with it since it was theoretical physics, which can be done on a computer and you don’t have to be in the lab. I am not ok with it, but everyone else is…VPAA, Chair, Dean…etc.

 

Suggestions? Should I jump ship now?

 

Thanks,

KIM

 

********************************************************

Kimberly F. Gray, M.P.A.

Director

Grants Administration and Sponsored Programs

Augusta State University

2500 Walton Way

Augusta, GA  30904-2200

Phone - (706) 729-2326

Fax - (706) 434-4728

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