A total of 37 different institutions responded to the request for
a description of the computer support available to their
Sponsored Research Office.  Of that number 62% have some computer
support (40.5% at least one full time, 21.5% part time
assistance).  To provide further detail, the responses were
sorted by amount of federal obligations awarded to each
institution as reported in the NSF publication, "Federal Support
to Universities, Colleges and Nonprofit Institutions,"  for
fiscal year 1992.

Three groups were established:

[A] More than $50 million
[B] Less than $50 million but more than $15 million
[C] Less than $15 million.

GROUP [A] RESPONSES (11 institutions)

82% have some computer support
72% have at least one full time computer support
10% have part time computer support

GROUP [B] RESPONSES (14 institutions)

71% have some computer support
43% have at least one full time computer support
29% have part time computer support

GROUP [C] RESPONSES (12 institutions)

62% have some computer support
41% have at least one full time computer support
22% have part time computer support

The comments reveal substantial reliance of existing staff's
computer skills, as well as plans to seek computer skills in all
new hires.  Some  institutions which have computer support regard
the position as critical and the best move they ever made.
Several people indicated the difficulty of obtaining good
computer support personnel even after a budget line is approved;
and to find a person with computer skills and an understanding of
research administration is even more difficult. Those who do not
have full time dedicated computer support expressed frustration
at convincing those outside the field that the need for computer
support is not icing on the cake but a real and immediate need
that can't be filled by staff whose major responsibilities are in
other areas.  Many of the part time positions are held by
graduate students from the computer science department.  Some
institutions use paid consultants.  Those who have to rely upon
central computing for assistance are not getting the support they
need.  Also those respondents who share a position with another
department expressed frustration about the level of service and
control.

Thank you to all who generously  responded!

Teresa Miller
Sponsored Research Services
Indiana University
xxxxxx@indiana.edue
(812) 855-0516 -phone
(812) 855-9943 - fax