I do not have a terminal degree, but no one generally questions my
authority to act as the institution's contracting officer on sponsored
programs. If your institution submits a proposal, it is, in essence,
making an offer to do business; if it accepts and award, it is contracting
to undertake the agreed activity. The authority to make those binding
commitments is the contracting authority.
I do have a letter available to submit, if required, specifying how my
authority is derived -- in my case, the VP Research is granted authority by
the Board (ours are "Visitors" rather than Trustees!) and also granted the
authority to delegate that authority, and each time I get a new VP-R, I
have him or her sign a new letter.
In short, if the institution has confidence in her experience and ability,
formalize the delegation of authority and let her get on with the job!
Chuck
At 02:03 PM 1/16/01 -0500, you wrote:
>We have a woman on staff who is extremely capable with years of experience
>in grant management in whom we are considering giving "sign-off" authority
>on out going applications. No one questions her ability but someone
>recently has questioned how this might look to certain grantors because the
>woman does not have a degree.
>
>What do you think?
>
>John Cosgrove, Director of the Office of Research
>Fordham University
>
>
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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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