> Research Administration Discussion Group wrote:
> So why do most universities have separate offices with separate lines > >
 (academic and financial) of authority?

I do not know any final and ultimate reasons for the traditional split,
but I would offer the following as good reasons (in the face of all the
good and *practical* reasons already given to the other view.)

o  The research office is often designed to support scholarship and
creative activities much of which is independent of external funding.
Many of us are not "sponsored programs" offices.

o  The line of authority within the academic affairs division tends to
promote sensitivity to issues that faculty understand and live by
(under), namely: instructional load, retention, tenure, and promotion
issues, and faculty governance/politics.  It helps to be of the same
house.

o  There is a long-standing tradition and strong perception in many
institions that the folks on the financial side of the house are
primarily  money-grubbing, bottom-line oriented, green-visored trolls.
Ever since the pilgrim fathers (and mothers)... and I recommend "The
Crucible" with Winona Rider and Daniel Day-Lewis ..., there has been a
sturdy tradition of disassociation, especially well-planted as many of
our fine universities today began as sectarian institutions.  This, of
course, is not a "good" reason, but it has the nasty characteristic of
being a fact.

My personal take on this discussion is that if pre- and post-award are
having communications problems, competent authority should fix the
obvious personnel problem(s), avoiding any swift or rash decisions.

Jim
--
James R. Brett, Ph.D., Director,
Office of University Research
CSU Long Beach
310-985-5314   310-985-8665 fax
xxxxxx@csulb.edu
http://www.csulb.edu/~wwwing/research.html