1. (Observations from the faculty side!)
Developing Partnerships With Faculty-PI’s The Rewards Of Working With Faculty And Gaining Their Trust
(Observations from the faculty side!)
Tim Quigg
Associate Chair
Computer Science Department
UNC – Chapel Hill

2. Important Concepts To Remember When Dealing With Faculty!
“Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects” Will Rogers
We believe it applies to others, but not to us!
In another time and place, we would have made great kings/queens!
SECRET: Most faculty know point #1 does apply to them
But, admitting it doesn’t come easy!

3. Important Concepts! Scientists are trained to question everything
“Thinking outside the box” makes them good scientists
But bad financial managers!

4. Think Inside the Box

5. Important Concepts!
Scientists speak their own language: discipline-specific jargon
And so do you! Think about it!
Account numbers
A-21
Policy #
Blau, blau, blau…
Tower of Babel

6. So What Can a Research Administrator Do To Survive (Or Even Thrive)?
Pray
Arm Wrestle
Become an indispensable part of the team!
HOW?

7. Tim’s Tips For Success Find effective ways to communicate
Don’t use account numbers if faculty use project names
People (yes faculty qualify) don’t want to look or feel stupid!
Dilemma – Planning for funding “soft money” personnel
A picture is worth a thousand words (or accounting reports)

8. Personnel Funding Chart

9. Personnel Funding Chart

10. Personnel Funding Chart

11. Tim’s Tips For Success
Make it easy for faculty to find relevant information – without having to ask!
“VIRTUAL TIM”

16. Tim’s Tips For Success
Ask enough follow-up questions to find the “question behind the first question”
“Can I charge this widget to my NIH grant?”
“NO” or
“What are you going to use it for”?
The answer may lead you to another possible funding source!
And a mutually satisfactory answer!

17. Finally, Take Interest In Their Work!
Ask questions – be interested in what’s happening in the lab
You are a part of a scientific team – you are not just an administrator – you are a Research Administrator!
Take pride in what you are enabling to occur in the lab!