Re: query Anne Womack 27 Apr 1999 13:12 EST
*So* coincidental you sent this out to the list. My colleague and I talked about this just yesterday, and I think we'll probably also go all- electronic except for a twice-yearly (at th beginning of each semester) hard copy of an information-type one-sheet, saying who we are, where we are, what we do (a lot of one-on-one), etc., and what they can expect from us during that semester in the way of electronic messages, for instance the Fulbright notice in February, etc. I suspect we are not alone. it really does seem like the way to go. I'll be interested in any responses, if you decide to put them together--- Anne W. RESADM-ers-- I need some advice. For many years, the Grants Office at University of Wisconsin-River Falls (5,000 FTE, regional comprehensive, primarily undergraduate) has campus-mailed paper newsletters to all faculty and staff every 3-4 weeks. It includes a brief lead highlighting an especially attractive opportunity, lists of campus proposers and grantees, and selected funding opportunities. The newsletter serves several purposes: --keeps the grants office visible on campus. --reminds folks that we provide a variety of services. --encourages folks to write proposals (peer pressure is amazingly powerful. Many times I've heard faculty say, 'why if that bozo can get a grant, I certainly can!') --informs potential applicants of the specifics of funding opportunities. Some years ago, we supplemented the paper version with an electronic copy (viewable at http://www.uwrf.edu/grants/newslet.htm, if you're curious); it contains the same text, plus www links to funding sources. We think it's time to scrap the paper version and go completely (or maybe just mostly) electronic. We haven't received a single inquiry this year from the paper newsletter, which tells us either that no one is paying any attention at all (I refuse to believe it) or that they are relying on the webpage or something else for whatever info they get from our newsletter. Further relevant information: we subscribe both to COS and SPIN, accessible to everyone on campus. Here's my question: what's the best way to replace the paper version with a web version? I want to place something before faculty/staff eyes periodically just to remind them that we are here, prod them about deadlines, brag on successes, etc. We've thought about sending emails once/twice per week--short, snappy, with a pointer to more information on the web. Should we also send around a paper summary once in a while, for the few who never look at their email? We'll ask our faculty/staff in both the paper version and by email within the next week, but I'm also curious what RESADM-ers think. Is there anything else to worry about? Are there wonderful models out there in research admin land that we aren't aware of? Please email me or the list, your choice. If I get private responses, I'll post a summary in a week or so. Thanks and regards, Bill Campbell Director, Grants & Research University of Wisconsin-River Falls ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ====================================================================== Anne Womack CRA Director of Sponsored Programs Grants and Research Administration P.O. Box 8795 The College of William & Mary Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795 xxxxxx@wm.edu (757)221-3967 (phone) -4910 (fax) ====================================================================== Instructions on how to use the RESADM-L Mailing List, including subscription information and a web-searchable archive, are available via our web site at http://www.hrinet.org (click on "Listserv Lists") ======================================================================