Auburn University is currently undergoing a process of prioritizing
academic as well as administrative units.  Many other schools have gone
through a similar process in the recent past and now it is our turn.  It
isn't fun.

I am the Director of the Office of Contracts and Grants Administration.  We
review and approve all proposals for extramural funding, review, negotiate,
and sign for the university all awards, assist in the establishment of
accounts, and provide administrative assistance for non-financial post
award issues.  In addition, we keep track of and report on all property
acquired with contract funds for which accountability to the feds is
required.  We write and negotiate all subcontracts and monitor them in
compliance with  A-133 requirements.  We do not provide editorial support,
photocopying and mailing of proposals.  We do handle all areas of the
university including extension, instruction and research.  If I could fill
the vacancies that I have currently, I would have a director, an assistant
director, 3 contract administrators, an assistant administrator, and a
coordinator (office manager).  Right now, the assistant director and one
contract administrator position are vacant.  I can maybe fill the Assistant
Director but I am going to lose the vacant Contract Administrator position.

At Auburn we process an average of 840 proposals and 1250 awards annually
(we count supplemental/incremental funding as awards).  There are numerous
other documents we process that need approval but we do not have a count
for them.  Such as - financial release forms, property and invention
reports, award acknowledgements, various approval requests, small business
subcontract reporting and MBE/WBE, miscellaneous internal documents related
to C&G accounts requiring VP approval, subcontracts etc.  Last year
(10/1/93-9/30/94), Auburn received $48.5 million in contracts and grants.

 I am trying to gather data to show how my office compares to other schools
based on the workload, the number of employees, the general
responsibilities and the size of the funding.  If you can find a few
minutes, I would appreciate information regarding the following:

general duties
number of full time employees
number of proposals and awards processed annually
total dollars of contracts and grants received

I will gather this and post it for everyone should there be an interest.
Because of a change in the strategic planning process, I need this
information yesterday.  Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

----------------------------------------------------------
Martha M. Taylor, Director               (334) 844-4438
Contracts and Grants Administration         FAX (334) 844-5953
307 Samford Hall
Auburn University,  AL  36849-5112
xxxxxx@mail.auburn.edu