Bill, I think we all have the service attitude you are encouraging.
However, each transaction takes a finite amount of time.  The sum of those
times is greater than the total time available.  Who do we fail to serve?
Trying to use and enforce with deadlines is a way of prioritizing the time
available for service in a manner that is perceived by most as fair: first
come, first serve.  And, of course, we mustn't forget that some are more
equal than others -- our VP Research pays for the car that takes the
proposals to his favorite sponsor -- so he sends his proposal to our office
at the time the car is supposed to leave!

You are right that service is of major importance, but I don't want my
staff members to be doormats for rude, undisciplined, inconsiderate faculty
members who routinely miss deadlines.  We're on the same team -- I wish the
faculty members realized that!

Chuck

At 01:13 PM 2/25/98 -0500, you wrote:
>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____________________
>
Herbert B. Chermside, CRA
Director, Sponsored Programs Administration
Virginia Comonwealth University
PO BOX 980568
Richmond, VA  23298-0568
Express Delivery Only:
 Sanger Hall, Rm. 1-073
 11th & Marshall Streets
  Richmond, VA  23219
Voice:  804-828-6772
Fax     804-828-2521
OFFICE e-mail   xxxxxx@VCU.EDU
Personal e-mail xxxxxx@vcu.edu
http://views.vcu.edu/views/ospa/