Here's an interesting perspective from the University of Maine.

We keep a list of PINs mostly for the same reasons as other
contributors (PIs forget them, logging in as the PI).  I have been
following this discussion and I think the new system will work just
fine.  The ability for PIs and CoPIs to digitally sign the cover
sheet is a good idea, but it requires a much more secure environment
than the current system offers - essentially giving someone your
password is to give them your power of attorney.  I sometimes wonder
if we SROs are encouraging dependency with some of the "services" we
provide.  I stopped tying my daughter's shoes for her when she was
about 5, but I'm sure if I hadn't I'd still be doing it (she's 9
now).  Maybe it's time to wean our PIs in an electronic sense.  The
ability to remember (or some how keep track of)  passwords is an
essential survival skill in the modern world, and it seems that a PhD
ought to be able to handle it - most of them do.  Of course if we
keep doing it for them, they never will.  As for proposal
preparation, the new Fastlane interface allows PIs that want SRO help
in the preparation phase to do so, eliminating the need for "logging
in as the PI" by SRO staff.  SROs that want to REQUIRE their
participation in the preparation will have to enforce that as a local
issue with their PIs. Ultimately the SRO has to see the proposal when
it is ready, the aim of the new structure isn't to exclude the SRO,
but to provide a more secure environment for the researchers during
the preparation phase.
I am not a RESADM subscriber, feel free to post this if you wish.

Cliff Wilbur
Information Technology Specialist
University of Maine
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
(207) 581-1419

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