Research Development Committee Report

1. Research Development Committee Report May 19, 2011

2. Allowable Expenses on Grants • Grant Final Reconciliation • Often thousands of $ disallowed - Computers and related supplies

3. Allowable Expenses on Grants • OMB Circular A-21 • WSU Policy: Computers and related peripherals ruled “Office Supplies” • Therefore, not allowable direct costs.

4. Allowable Expenses on Grants • RDC invited Vice President for Research Dr. Ratner to discuss this issue. • Subsequently a University Special Committee On Allowable Costs was formed – Chair, Assoc. VPOR Dr. Dunbar • Consultant hired

5. Allowable Expenses on Grants • OMB Circular A-21 – NEW POLICY • Computers and related supplies MAY be Direct Costs • Justify need (e.g. current computers are antiquated and will not run needed current software). • Must be used 100% on the project (Examples – connected to laboratory equipment, used solely for data analysis. • CANNOT BE USED FOR CLERICAL/OFFICE FUNCTION • Alternatively, costs can be pro-rated if multi-use, split between grants, between direct and indirect.

7. Grant expiration final accounting report • Yearly review of grants halted due to budgetary/staff shortages

8. Infrastructure Issues • Cold Rooms in Scott Hall - being wired with alarms • RO Water System Upgraded and checked regularly • Power Fluctuations being investigated • Purchasing – PI’s can work directly with buyers to improve communication • Procard Changes Increased maximum charges, further increases possible with justification Use in travel being considered • New Director of DLAR, Dr. Lisa Brossia - Discussed IACUC improvements - DLAR will soon offer free breeding/weaning services - Cost account review in process

9. 5/6/11 - Meeting with Dr. Parisi • Plan for Dept of Biochemistry – input sought from Executive Committee, Research Committee, and Budget Committee on not only Biochemistry but the structure of all basic science departments – Thematic vs. classical department structure. • Department budgets • New budgetary model being considered for basic science departments. • Salary savings on grants. • All previous commitments will be honored, but must be submitted for this coming fiscal year • All funds disbursed on “just-in-time” basis. • RDC assured by Dean Lee that efforts will be taken to improve timeliness of disbursements.

10. Incentive Program • History: 1980’s Dean Sokol instituted 40% rule – if PI covered more that 40% of general fund salary, all $ above this level returned to PI’s Indirect Cost Account. • 2006 - 2008 University-wide Pilot Incentive Program, 20% of all general fund salary savings returned as bonus. • Jan. 1, 2009 – present: No Program • Fall 2009, President Noreen appoints University Committee charged to create a University Wide Incentive program. - Chair, Assoc. VP Research Dr. Dunbar • Spring 2010 University Committee submits plan: • Graduate Student Tuition waiver for GRE’s on Extramural grants • Bonus based on Salary Savings and Indirect Costs with thresholds needed to be achieved before any payout (thresholds ~ 1 average RO1)

11. Incentive Program (cont.) • University Incentive Plan Rejected by Provost Brown • Deans Charged to create their own individual incentive programs • November - December 2010 - SOM Incentive Committee created - Chair – Assoc. Dean for Research, Dr. Walz • First meeting February 23, 2011 • - Charged to create Incentive Program that must be self-funded. • - Committee requested information from the Dean on what funds may be used (salary savings?, SOM indirect costs?, PI’s indirect costs?).

12. Website for RDC Minutes http://www.med.wayne.edu/faculty_senate/StandingCommittees.htm#research