I also have to agree with Bill.  We exist because we are here to offer a
service to our PI's.  Granted, it is inconvenient when a proposal comes in
late or at the last minute, but it is our job to get it out.   The
guidelines we offer in terms of when we'd like to get the proposal for
review are there to benefit both the PI's and us. But in reality when it
comes down to it, if a proposal comes in the day it has to be Fed-x'd, we
do what we can to get it out.

At 05:27 PM 2/25/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Bill, this is what I've been thinking about while reading these.  Yes,
>it is frustrating when proposals come in at inconvenient times and/or
>the last minute.  Of course, a lot could have been averted by better
>planning on the part of the PI.  However, we are here to further the
>success of our investigators and our institutions.  Not submitting the
>proposal that just could have made a difference to the career of the
>investigator, the status of the institution, or to the world at large
>because it didn't get in the appropriate number of days in advance would
>be a real shame . . . and we would be to blame.
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Bill Kirby [SMTP:xxxxxx@POSTOFFICE.WORLDNET.ATT.NET]
>> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 1998 12:13 PM
>> To:   Multiple recipients of list RESADM-L
>> Subject:      Re: Internal Proposal Submission deadline survey -Reply
>> -Reply
>>
>> I have been following this thread with a lot of interest. Seems like
>> many
>> institutions try to enforce deadline limits, with predictable results.
>> I
>> know this will provoke a firestorm: Why is it that when every other
>> "business" that I can think of is trying to move toward "anytime,
>> anyplace"
>> service in order to stay competitive, some research administrators are
>> trying to "draw lines in the sand"? I realize proposals are not
>> anything
>> like sending flowers at the last moment, but come on folks... Is this
>> the
>> way to add value to the process?
>>
>> Bill Kirby
>> xxxxxx@worldnet.att.net
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Gerald McCulloh <xxxxxx@WPO.IT.LUC.EDU>; Research
>> Administration
>> Discussion Group <xxxxxx@health.state.ny.us>
>> To: Multiple recipients of list RESADM-L <xxxxxx@health.state.ny.us>
>> Date: Thursday, February 19, 1998 5:51 PM
>> Subject: Internal Proposal Submission deadline survey -Reply -Reply
>>
>>
>> >Lines drawn in the sand. No there's a metaphor whose time has come.
>> >The formal statement of a deadline policy is needed to protect staff
>> >from thoughtless abuse by those who make their own emergency everyone
>> >else's. The frequent exception is appropriate accommodation to an
>> >imperfect world. Too much time solving the dilemma is better spent
>> >elsewhere. My next line in the sand is____________________
>
*******************************************
Sharon A. Comvalius, MPH
Assistant Director
Office for Sponsored Research
Harvard University

voice:(617)496-8460
fax:  (617)496-8463
e-mail: xxxxxx@harvard.edu