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