I am a new member of the research administration discussion group and a
new research administration (Vice Provost for Sponsored Projects).  One
of my tasks is to begin to put in place a whole range of policies concerning
sponsored projects.  I am writing to ask group members to send me policies
they have in place at their institutions or information on how to access
these policies via a Home Page).  The issues that need to get resolved
at my university are many, but include:
 PI eligibility/responsibilities
 Indirect cost (we are a "short form" institution currently)
 Cost sharing
 Faculty/staff compensation on sponsored projects
 Submission/review of proposals
 Ownership/retention of data
 Gift verus sponsored project (this is a biggie in that we have a
 large, aggressive Development Office that doesn't see the need
 for these "bureaucratic" distinctions)
 Allowability of expenditures on sponsored projects accounts
 Cost transfers involving sponsored projects accounts
 Handling of cash deficits related to sponsored project accounts
 Pre-establishment/loan accounts (the loaning of funds to PIs
 prior to the actual arrival of funds on an approved project)
As you see, I have a lot of issues to deal with.  I am planning to use a
faculty/staff research council to help develop policy.  I would be interested
in experiences list members have had with this mechanism, both good and bad.

The mailing address is: Paul Benson, Vice Provost for Sponsored Projects &
Public Service, Office of Graduate Studies, University of Massachusetts,
100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston MA 02125.  Phone: (617)287-5715.  Please don't
feel timid sending me anything you have.  I can use all the help I can
get.  Thanks.