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9.01 / Research Administration

The academic development of Wichita State University depends strongly on its ability to attract funding from external agencies, foundations, industries, and individuals to support its research and educational programs, and the professional growth of its faculty and staff.  The Associate Provost for Research and Director of the Office of Research Administration is responsible for the development, management, and support of the University's research and sponsored programs activities.  The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the University office through which local, state, and federal governmental units and other prospective funding agencies and organizations channel their requests for special assistance under grants and contracts, and through which most proposals for such support are processed by the University.  In the development of research and other sponsored program proposals, faculty should use the office in making contacts with appropriate governmental, business, and foundation officials.  The office works to stimulate the interests of these agencies in appropriate University programs whenever possible, maintains communication between the faculty, University administration, and prospective funding agencies, provides information about grant programs to faculty, assists faculty in the preparation of proposals and budgets, and maintains project records.  Another important function of ORA is to coordinate requests to local entities such as school boards and the aviation industry to insure maximum institutional support and the minimum of duplicative effort.  This coordination typically involves a review of the project ideas and proposal by the appropriate dean or director of the unit involved.

ORA administers all grants and contracts prepared and awarded for research, training, or other projects for which there are technical and/or fiscal reporting requirements, restrictions on the specific use of funds, and commitment of University facilities or personnel.  Other grant requirements such as the review of the use of humans as subjects or oversight of animal care, and the retention and audit of financial records, are managed by ORA.  Gifts that do not require institutional commitments as noted above for grants and contracts are received and accounted for by the WSU Foundation.  Examples of such gifts include endowed chairs or professorships, endowed faculty development funds, student support, lectureships, and program series.

Due to the varied and sometimes overlapping paths by which funding for sponsored projects and corporate and foundation giving are solicited and obtained, it can be unclear to those involved whether the awarded funds fall under the purview of the WSU Foundation or ORA.  While advance communication and good-faith discussion will serve to avoid most problems, in those situations where the possibility of confusion reasonably exists and/or where there is initial disagreement, the Executive Director of the WSU Foundation or the Director's designee and the Director of ORA or the Director's designee shall meet and concur on the appropriate handling of the awarded funds.

To obtain information from faculty and other administrators, the Associate Provost for Research and Director of the Office of Research Administration convenes and chairs the University Research Council, which exists for the general advocacy, support, and development of research and sponsored programs throughout the University community.  The council advises and makes recommendations to the Associate Provost for Research and Director of the Office of Research Administration on matters of policy that promote and support research, service, and scholarly and creative activity within the University's mission.  In addition to the Associate Provost for Research and Director of the Office of Research Administration and the Dean of the Graduate School, membership of the Research Council includes members of the graduate faculty representing each college, the doctoral-granting departments, the National Institute for Aviation Research, and other units deemed to be important to the growth and development of research and creative activity at WSU.  Appointments to the council are made by the Associate Provost for Research and Director of the Office of Research Administration in consultation with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research and deans of the colleges.  Members of the council are expected to represent their constituents, and to report to them and their dean the activities of the council.

Revision Date:
February 17, 2004

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