VCU is looking at this matter.  There are many uses, including making
expertises known to various audiences, targeting sponsored program
opportunities, satisfying institutional executives who think it is a good
thing, etc.  The drawback that everyone seems to find is how to ensure it
is kept up to date.

We already have InfoEd's SPIN/GENIUS system, and we are getting their
InfoOffice Proposal Preparation module.  That module draws from the GENIUS
database to complete information in proposals, including a technique
(described but not yet demonstrated to me) to select the pertinent parts
when needed, e.g., the relevant pubs among the total list.  This MAY
encourage participation among those faculty interested in writing
proposals.  (Do others matter to us?)

We have an opportunity to join COS at a favorable cost as part of a
statewide initiative.  I am not persuaded that COS gives any inducement to
faculty to update.  However, I understand that COS does automatic updates
of publication lists based on either major journals or major journal index
data -- haven't seen it.

In either case, the DATA is the university's; only the database is
copyrighted by the company.  At least one institution has a contract with
one of them for frequent downloads, and then uses the data for various
purposes.

One idea we have, in a very nacent form, is to tie the database of choice
to our annual reporting of faculty activity in some manner.

A matter of importance which may be useful in working all this out, is that
either of these commercially available database systems will serve as a
"data warehouse" for c.v. information.  Enter the data once, check it for
accuracy, and then print out what is needed as a report each time a c.v. is
needed.

 Hmmm-- A really sneaky idea: require that c.v.'s and other data for
Tenure and Promotion activity come from the database the institution
selects..... [Should I dig a deep foxhole?]

PLEASE CONTRIBUTE POSITIVE SUGGESTIONS!!!

Chuck

At 12:41 PM 7/26/00 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello ya'll!  We are exploring the possibility of a database for faculty
>profiles/research interests and I'm curious which application/database
>programs other universities are using to track this data.
>
>It would be helpful to include the number of faculty profiles you are
>currently maintaining as well as which platform (Mac vs PC - the debate
>still rages) you are utilizing.
>
>Thanks and have a great day!
>
>
>
>Shelly R. Pettyjohn
>Pre Award Grant and Contract Specialist
>University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
>817 735-2561
>817 735-0375 (fax)
>email: xxxxxx@hsc.unt.edu
>
>

Herbert B. Chermside, CRA
Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
Virginia Commonwealth University
PO BOX 980568
Richmond, VA  23298-0568
Express Delivery Only:
 Sanger Hall, Rm. 1-073
 11th & Marshall Streets
 Richmond, VA  23219
Voice:  804-828-6772
Fax     804-828-2521
OFFICE e-mail   xxxxxx@VCU.EDU
Personal e-mail xxxxxx@vcu.edu
http://views.vcu.edu/ospa/

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