I agree the sign off should be as low and simple as possible.  However, the
official committing the institution (i.e., accepting awards whether grant
or contractual) should have an internal approval where academic managers
approve, for various reasons.  My internal approval has the following "fine
print" above the signoffs:

"We, the undersigned, do certify to the best of our knowledge and behalf
that 1) the designated faculty will be released for the effort indicated;
2) personnel costs are correctly estimated; 3) adequate and suitable space
is/will be provided for completion of the above noted project; 4) we comply
with the Debarment Statement and the Conflict of Interests Statement as
defined in the Instructions to this form; and 5) this project is consistent
with the educational and research objectives of the University."

I am responsible for the agreement.  I am expert in rules, regs, contract
language.  I am NOT expert in other matters, so I get academic management
to take responsibility for those matters.  Whoever signs to bind the
institution a) needs legal authority to do so, and b) needs an academic
management CYA for matters not under his/her control.

Chuck

At 06:58 AM 9/12/2003 -0500, Phillip Myers wrote:
>Pam,
>
>Bill is right on.  The OSP needs to be the last of no more than four
>signatures as below.  The financial side (unless it is really into grants)
>would not be cognizant of the proposal budget or the essence of the
>proposal because this is not its focus area.  It is frustrating because
>proposals and other documents take more time before submission going to
>another office.  I believe that your capacity will grow if you keep
>signatures at a minimum and in academic affairs.  Don't allow more time to
>elapse to get an Academic Affairs AVP or even the VP to sign for the same
>reason as the financial side.
>
>You or your designee should be the "end of the line" on this business.
>
>Phil
>
>Bill Schulze wrote:
>>Research & proposals for same are academic in nature... Our office
>>reports to the adademic side of the house... Our routing is PI - Chair -
>>Dean - Office of Sponsored Programs... Authorizing official is me, or in
>>my absence, senior staff are delegated this authority... There is no need
>>for VP level sign-off & absolutely no reason for any sign-off by
>>financial people (and sole "sign-off" by the financial VP would be
>>unthinkable)... Unless a sign-off has some purpose, it's just a
>>time-wasting exercise ... I hold with the philosophy that decisions
>>should be made at the lowest level possible by the person most compitent
>>to make the decision...
>>
>>Anyhoo, that's my 2 cents worth.....
>>
>>
>>Pamela Miller <xxxxxx@USFCA.EDU>
>>Sent by: Research Administration List <xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG>
>>09/11/2003 04:31 PM MST
>>Please respond to Research Administration Discussion List
>>
>>To: xxxxxx@HRINET.ORG
>>cc:
>>bcc:
>>Subject: [RESADM-L] signature authority
>>
>>
>>
>>For university research administrators--are there any universities out
>>there that ask the VP for Finance to sign off on federal grant and contract
>>proposals/awards without also obtaining a signature from the Academic
>>Affairs side of things?
>>
>>If so, any problems with this?
>>
>>Thanks!
>>
>>Pam Miller
>>
>>Pamela F. Miller, Ph.D.
>>Director, Office of Sponsored Projects
>>The University of San Francisco
>>2130 Fulton Street
>>San Francisco, CA  94117-1080
>>TEL  415-422-5368
>>FAX  415-422-6222
>>EMAIL  xxxxxx@usfca.edu
>>
>>
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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:
 Biotech One, Suite 113
 Virginia Biotechnology Research Park
 800 East Leigh Street
 Richmond, VA 23219
Voice:  804-828-6772
Fax     804-828-2521
OFFICE e-mail   xxxxxx@VCU.EDU
Personal e-mail xxxxxx@vcu.edu
http://www.research.vcu.edu/ospa.htm

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