Eleanor, you certainly have "creative" faculty.  You didn't say which NSF
program was involved, but if you want to follow the faculty person's
wishes, I would definitely check with the NSF Program Officer before using
the salary funds for a computer.  I'm sure they'll have questions about
what actual time commitment the faculty member is making to the project.
(Couldn't the faculty member just accept the salary, then buy himself his
own computer?)   For the faculty member who wants to buy a computer for his
home use, is this your normal institutional policy?   I can't imagine going
to my boss and asking to buy a desk top computer to be housed at home,
(which, of course, I'd only use for business purposes ;-).  The allocation
of F&A costs would be problematic.  His home doesn't have a F&A rate.
(Actually, if he got a lap top, it could commute with him, and he could be
inspired at work or home at any time!)

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

Nancy Kay Peterson
Director of Grants & Sponsored Projects
Somsen Hall Room 202-C
Winona State University
Winona, MN  55987

Phone:  507.457.5519
Fax:       507.457.2415
xxxxxx@winona.msus.edu
http://www.winona.msus.edu/grants/

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