Thanks everyone for responding.  The almost consensus is that guaranteed
turnaround times are not a good idea.

As for the rationale behind and the (lack of) enforcement of internal
deadlines...maybe we just need to hear every few months or so that
behavior never meets expectations...anywhere!

I am curious about Peter's preaward officers processing applications in
the order received.  Could this be model of justice I have thirst for?
The image of a line full of ardent, foot-tapping, clock watching PIs
holding manila folders fills me with hope.

Charlie

> The director of our preaward office circulates a list each month that
> shows the names of faculty members planning to submit applications, the
> sponsor's deadline, the preaward officer assigned to process the grant,
> and the internal deadline for submission.  If nothing else, this makes
> the point to each PI that their application is not the only one being
> submitted for a given deadline; it also alarms investigators who haven't
> notifed the OSP of their intent to submit--"You left me off the list!"
> As for the turnaround time--each preaward officer processes applications
> in the order he or she receives them.  We make no promises on turnaround
> time because it depends on where you stand in line, and the condition in
> which you submit the application.
>
>
>
>
> PJD
> ****************************************************************
> Peter J. Dolce, Ph.D.
> Associate Vice President for Research
> Grants Management and Compliance
> 1005 D. B. Todd Boulevard
> Meharry Medical College
> Nashville, TN  37208
>
> Phone 615 327 6237
> Fax 615 327 6716
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On
> Behalf Of Schier-Happell, Suzanne E
> Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 1:46 PM
> To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
> Subject: Re: [RESADM-L] Internal deadlines and processing times
>
> What a timely discussion!
>
> Our office just narrowly avoided a true fiasco last week with a couple
> of ACS proposals that we didn't have final drafts of until the day
> before they were due, and by that time it was nearly impossible to get
> the needed signatures (especially during the summer when people are on
> vacation).
>
> That has prompted our office to begin a discussion about enacting an
> internal deadline like the ones being discussed here. We currently have
> no stated policy regarding how far in advance PI's need to get their
> proposals to us, which means that we often (usually?) receive them at
> the eleventh hour.
>
> We realize that such a deadline is fully unenforceable, and of course we
> would never refuse to assist anyone who has something to submit, no
> matter how late it arrives in our office. However, putting an official
> deadline out there would clearly show PI's that submitting at the last
> minute is at their own risk, and that our ability to get the required
> signatures is not guaranteed if they come in after the internal
> deadline.
>
> Right now there is no such understanding, and it puts a lot of pressure
> on us from multiple directions--from the PI, who expects us to get his
> or her proposal submitted successfully, and from the school officials
> whose signatures are needed, who have busy schedules and don't always
> appreciate our asking them to drop everything to review and sign a
> proposal at the last minute.
>
> If only the deadline fairy would come and grant us one wish--to make
> everyone submit their proposals chronically early!
>
> But yes, five days sounds great to me. I think that may be a policy we
> adopt before the start of the new school year.
>
> Best regards,
> Suzanne Happell
> Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs
> Otterbein College
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Research Administration List [mailto:xxxxxx@hrinet.org] On
> Behalf Of Charlie Hathaway
> Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 1:23 PM
> To: xxxxxx@hrinet.org
> Subject: [RESADM-L] Internal deadlines and processing times
>
> I have a meeting in an hour.  I'd like to be able to say that most
> OSPs do __________________.
>
> So...super quick survey:  We have all discussed how many days before
> a deadline we expect to see proposals/forms submitted for internal
> approvals.  And we have all (+/-) agreed that you do everything you
> can to get every proposal out the door regardless of violation of
> internal deadlines.  I understand that the job demands extraordinary
> effort and flexibility to get everything done on time...but
>
> Question: Do you have a policy saying that a proposal will be
> reviewed and approved within a specific time frame following
> submission of paperwork?  Or do you just tell people "You will get it
> back in time to submit!"
>
> thanks
>
> Charlie Hathaway
>
>
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