To Steve Hoagland:

Yes, compliance is an integral part of our job and it is very important that
we focus on our functions, objectives and goals in the grander scheme of
things.  However, you obviously work  at an institution that is doing more
than giving lip service to research.  Many of us are under extreme pressure to
justify our existence in a climate of deep financial cuts.  Our institutions
put research into their "vision" statements and then cut our staff and replace
academic leaders (Vice Presidents or Vice Provosts) with financial managers.

So you see, when the "grander scheme of things" is a mixed message, we are
desparate to justify our existence in dollars, preferrably in dollars saved
somehow, hence the analogy to catastrophic losses.

Ruth Tallman
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Lehigh University
526 Brodhead Ave.
Bethlehem, PA  18015
Phone: 610-758-3024
E-Mail: xxxxxx@lehigh.edu