One of our PIs who does a lot of remote research work (on board a ship
in the middle of an ocean) thinks some of his colleagues from other
universities get additional pay while on board because they basically
work a double-shift each day.  While it makes logical sense to me that
someone in this position, who basically spends all non-sleeping time
doing research, be additionally compensated, I haven't yet found any
institutions that have a published policy to this effect.  Also, I keep
going back to A-21, which states:

"...Charges for work performed [by faculty members] on sponsored
agreements during all or any portion of [the continuous period
which...constitutes the basis of his salary] are allowable at the base
salary rate...In no event will charges to sponsored agreements,
irrespective of the basis of computation, exceed the proportionate share
of the base salary for that period.  This principle applies to all
members of the faculty at an institution."

The only excption A-21 seems to have is the "unusual case" where the
faculty member is involved in consultation and where such consultation
"is across departmental lines or involves a separate or remote
operation, and the work performed by the consultant is in addition to
his regular departmental load"...and then "extra compensation above the
base salary are allowable provided  that such consulting arrangements
are specifically provided for in the agreement or approved in writing by
the sponsoring agency."   However, my guy is not consulting across
departmental lines--he's the PI on his own federally funded research
projects.

I would like to develop a policy to additionally compensate faculty in
very remote locations who do nothing but sleep, eat, and do research
during short periods of the academic year.  We would consistently apply
a very well-defined policy (at least to all sponsored projects) and
would require the researchers to include a request for such additional
compensation, fully explained, in their proposals to sponsors.  But,
according to A-21, even though we could make it consistent, would it be
legal?  Do I have an wiggle room under "proportionate share" since,
during a normal academic year, the researcher is generally expected to
work 8 hours a day, but he is working double that while at sea?

Thanks for any insight you can offer..  I would especially appreciate
web references to policies from any institution that is doing this.

Barbara

--
==================================================================
Barbara H. Gray, Director
Office of Research & Grants Administration
College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, SC  29424
Campus Location:  407-G Bell Bldg.
Office: 843.953.5673  Desk: 843.953.5885  Fax:  843.953.6577
e-mail:  xxxxxx@cofc.edu   URL: http://www.orga.cofc.edu/
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