Glenda Luecke was questioning the moving of the Sponsored Research Office
from academic affairs to administrative affairs.  The same question came up
here a few years ago when WSU was developing a new restructuring plan.  I
successfully argued against such a move.  I posed the question at an AASCU
meeting in Washington DC and on this listserv; and the overwhelming response
was that the office should remain under the academic structure of the
university.

I do not know of a single university that does not suffer in some way from
the "faculty vs. administration" syndrome.  And, since a sponsored research
office is dependent on the efforts of the faculty, the director of that
office must occupy a position that engenders faculty trust and respect.
Putting Sponsored Research under administrative affairs may make the office
"suspect" in the eyes of the faculty.

Additionally, sponsored research projects support academic research
interests and program development which may actually (GASP!) cost the
university money!  Frankly, administrators are more likely to ask "What is
it going to cost us?" rather than "Will this contribute to the advancment of
knowledge or development of superior academic programs?"  (My apologies for
my cynicism to any administrators out there reading this.)

In short, don't let 'em move you!
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Live long and prosper.   >:-I

Nancy Kay Peterson
Director of Grants
Somsen Hall, Room 202-C
Winona State University
Winona, MN  55987
Phone:  507/457-5519
FAX:    507/457-5586
e-mail: xxxxxx@VAX2.winona.msus.edu