Re: Academic vs. Administrative Charlie Tardivo 30 Jan 1996 10:17 EST
Hi Glenda below is a response I made last September to a similar question. I hope it helps. If you would like more information, please call me. Charlie ================================================================================ From: Charlie Tardivo <xxxxxx@WI.MIT.EDU> Organization: Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research Subject: Re: Grant Accounting Having worked in both environments at different institutions, I feel that the Grants Accounting office works best, is more productive and more service oriented when the pre and post award functions report to the same person. There is the tendency for a grant accounting operation, when under the direction of a Controller at a university, to take on a green eye-shade approach to many of their decisions. They are reporting to another master that sets up procedures for the accounting and budgeting operations but may be in conflict with research operations.. If a university has a budgeting department like the one at the university that I had been formally employed, they would want 5 expense object codes to describe the different methods of mailing an envelope.(there is local mail, overnight priority, overnight standard, 2 day delivery, etc. etc. etc.) My decision, of course, was not to use any of the 5 object codes and then have it charged to the supply expense line of the grant. This is the KISS method. I realize that not all universities may operate in this manner. However, what I have experienced and what I have observed at other institutions clearly indicate that there is a more consistent application and interpretation of research policies and regulations which translates into a more creative approach toward finding solutions when the pre-award, post-award and research accounting areas report to a Director of Research Administration. This translates into better service to the faculty and that is one of our primary functions. Charlie Tardivo Director of Grant Administration and Accounting Operations Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research _______________________________________________________________________________ From: Research Administration Discussion Group on Mon, Jan 29, 1996 8:14 PM Subject: Academic vs. Administrative To: Charlie Tardivo My institution is looking into placing the Research office and the Accounting office under the Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services. Presently the Office of Research Services that reviews and mails proposals, negotiates contracts, processes awards, certifications, etc. takes direction from the Academic Vice Chancellor. Our Grants Accounting office that sets up new accounts, invoices, general accounting of grant funds, etc. answers to the Administrative Vice Chancellor. It is my belief that the two offices should remain separated. I feel that if the Research Office were to be placed under the Administrative side of things that the emphasis would be more tuned to "bringing in the bucks" rather than concentrating on the research. How do you feel about this? How is your institution set up? Are the two offices together? If they are separate, do they both answer to the same Vice Chancellor/Dean? If they are separated, why? Any light you can shed on this subject would be greatly appreciated. ******************************************************** Glenda A. Luecke, Coordinator Voice: (573)341-4135 Office of Research Services Fax: [573]341-4126 University of Missouri-Rolla EMail: xxxxxx@umr.edu 101 ME Annex Rolla, MO 65409-1330 Charlie Tardivo Director of Grant Administration and Accounting Operations Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research Cambridge MA 02142 phone: (617) 258-5107 fax: (617) 258-6294 e-mail: xxxxxx@wi.mit.edu