The FSRA us a stipend of $3000 awarded competitively to encourage faculty to devote full time in summer month to pursue their research and/or scholarly activity. Up to $1000 additional funds may be provided to cover other operating expenses, if adequately justified. No equipment or student assistance can be requested. The Senate Faculty Support Committee will review the applications. This committee is composed of faculty members from diverse fields. Applicants are, therefore, advised to write proposals in a language that avoids highly specialized terminology and treatment. If totally unavoidable, a suitable explanation should be provided for the terminology used.

All tenured or probationary faculty holding no more than a 10-month appointment are eligible. No recipient may teach or hold any other concurrent appointment or employment at WSU or elsewhere during the summer months. Those who receive a FORA during the last three years, as well as temporary and visiting faculty, are ineligible. Faculty who accept a summer award from their college are not eligible for a summer award from the University during that summer. Also, a faculty member may receive either a summer award or a research grant in a fiscal year, but not both.

The deadline for receipt of applications in the Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the second Monday of December. The awards will be announce by mid-February of the following calendar year.

6.042/ UNIVERSITY RESEARCH GRANDS (URG.)

The UG. awarded by ORA on a competitive basis, are relatively small grants intended to assist (1) new probationary (tenure eligible with less than 2 years of service) faculty in initiating their research programs at WSU and (2) other faculty (over 2 years of service) in retooling or reestablishing a productive research agenda. In either category, it is expected that with the help of these grants the awardees will generate publishable and/or vital data on which proposals can be developed for submission to extramural agencies to seek funds for their research programs.

All applications will be reviewed by the Senate Faculty Support Committee. The applicants are urged to avoid highly specialized terminologies and/or language in their proposals.

All tenured and probationary faculty members of WSU are eligible to apply. In the case of a faculty member applying for a second award within a 5 year period, the evidence of productivity and/or extramural grantsmanship following the first award (both attempts and successes) will play a heavy role in the award decision. Those who receive a University Research Grant during the last three years, as well as temporary and visiting faculty, are ineligible. Also, one may receive either a summer award or a research grants in a fiscal year, but not both.

The deadline for the receipt of all applications in ORA is the second Monday in October. Award for new faculty (less than 2 years service) are announced by mid December and are effective from January 1 to June 30 of the following calendar year. Awards for other faculty (over 2 years service) are announced by the following mid-February to be effective for the following fiscal year beginning July 1 or thereafter

 6.05 / Direct and Indirect Costs
All grants and contracts are awarded to and received by Wichita State University. The conduct of sponsored research and other sponsored programs at the University involves both direct and indirect costs. It is the responsibility of the ORA to negotiate with the federal government to obtain approval of the indirect cost rate, which may vary from year to year.

Direct costs usually include the following: the salaries and wages of persons employed on the research or training project; personnel fringe benefits, such as FICA and retirement plan contributions; consumable supplies needed for the project; travel and communication charges for the project; the costs of equipment acquired for specific use in the project; and computer time and necessary supporting services, calculated in accordance with an approved rate schedule for the facility.

Indirect costs are actual costs incurred by the University in the fulfillment of sponsored research contracts and grants. These costs defray the following: depreciation on University-acquired furnishings and scientific equipment; partial recovery of depreciation of building costs; partial recovery of utilities, maintenance and janitorial expenses; partial recovery of administration costs at the department, college and University levels; and costs associated with research support services, property management, technical monitoring, radiation safety and hazardous materials oversight, and institutional review of human and animal experimentation.

Disbursements of indirect cost funds will be based on actual costs recovered during the previous fiscal year. Five percent (5%) of the indirect costs generated by a principal investigator will be allocated to the investigator for use in furthering his/her research program and scholarly/creative activities. Five percent (5%) of the indirect costs generated by persons within a department/unit will be allocated to the department/unit chairperson/director for use in promoting research, scholarly and/or creative activity among persons in the department/unit; ten percent (10%) of the indirect costs generated by persons in a college division will be allocated to the college dean/division vice president (for divisions without colleges) for use in promoting research, scholarly and/or creative activity among persons within the college/division; the remaining portion of the indirect costs generated will be allocated to central administration to cover costs associated with support of the University's research activities and mission.

 6.06 / Cost-Sharing for Sponsored Programs
Governmental agencies, businesses, and foundations seldom support 100 percent of a research grant or training program. Thus, in most cases, proposal budgets will have to include that part of the project which the University intends to support directly. Cost-sharing may range from 5 percent to 50 percent of the total cost, depending upon the agency and type of program. Since institutional cost-sharing can include both cash and in-kind expenditures, the principal investigator should consult with his or her department chairperson and ORA to determine appropriate types and amounts of the University's support.

 6.07 / University Ownership
All books and materials purchased with grant or contract funds become the property of the University. These items should be held by the principal investigator during the operation of the project. At the conclusion of a project or if the principal investigator leaves the University, all books and materials purchased with grant and contract funds must be transferred to either the appropriate academic department or the University Library.

Any equipment items purchased or acquired during an externally-funded project must be inventoried as University property. In most cases, the equipment will become the property of WSU at the conclusion of the project, although some grants and contracts may include specific provision for the return of the equipment to the granting agency. If grant or contract-acquired equipment becomes the University property, it is transferred to the inventory of the appropriate academic department and its use will be determined by normal department procedures. If a faculty or staff member leaves the employment of WSU, no equipment may be taken from the campus without prior approval of the Vice President for Administration and Finance.

 6.08 / Patent Policy
Any faculty member believing that an invention developed from a research project sponsored by the University should be patented, must report that information in a letter to the director of the ORA who in turn will forward it to the Faculty Support Committee for review and action. The Committee will decide if the University should file a patent application or if the project does not warrant patenting. In the latter case, the invention will be returned to the inventor who is free to file a patent. If that is done, the University will continue to maintain its position that the results of the research should be freely available to the public. The Board of Regents Handbook should be consulted for more information on patent policy.

 6.09 / Copyright Procedures
When a product to be copyrighted is the result of full or partial support from a public or private agency through a grant or contract administered by ORA, the principal investigator shall report this intent to the director of ORA. This office is the agent of the University that represents a sponsored project to a granting agency in all cases. It is the legal responsibility of ORA to insure that both the external agency and the person wishing to copyright are fairly represented. ORA can provide information concerning the copyright policies of external agencies, contracts with publishers in which copyrights are involved, and copyrighting in general. Although the publication of journal articles or single chapters in books is exempt from the above reporting procedure, appropriate credit must always be given when state, federal, or private support has been received. The University's copyright policy is available from ORA or the Office of Academic Affairs.

 6.10/ Subvention Policy
It is the policy of Wichita State University to encourage publication of books authored or co-authored by members of the faculty in fulfillment of the responsibility to engage in scholarly activity. To that end, recognizing the increased frequency of requests by publishers for subventions, the Wichita State University may in some circumstances provide subventions from non-state funds to aid members of the faculty engaged in substantive negotiations with publishers. The University reserves the right to recover the sum of the subvention when such recovery is possible.

I. Eligibility

A. Subvention may be requested by an author(s) who is full-time tenured or probationary member of the faculty of WSU.

B. If a member of the faculty co-authors a book with a member(s) of the faculty of another institution(s), the institution(s) shall negotiate concerning shared responsibility for subvention.

II. Application Procedures

A. The author(s) shall prepare a written request for subvention, and include a letter from the editor stating that the book has undergone professional evaluation and that substantive negotiations are under way.

B. The application must be submitted to the appropriate department chair(s) for review and approval. If approved, the chair(s) submits the application, with a letter of approval, to the dean(s) for review and approval. If approved, the dean(s) will submit the application, the chair(s) approval letter and his/her own letter of approval to the Faculty Support Committee.

C. The Faculty Support Committee shall evaluate the proposal for the relevance of the book to the area or areas of expertise of the author(s), the scholarly merits of the book, and the quality of the press. The committee may invite an additional reviewer(s) to participate in the discussion of the merits of the book or of the press. If the committee approves the application, it will be transmitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research, along with a letter of recommendation, for final action.

D. Should the application be rejected at any level, the author(s) will receive an explanation in writing. The applicant(s) may seek a review of a negative recommendation by the Faculty Support Committee from the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research.

E. Should the application be approved, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research or her/his designee will negotiate with the author(s) and the publisher. An agreement stating the exact terms of the subvention, including the amount of the subvention and terms for recovery of that amount, when recovery is possible, will be added to the contractual record of the book by adding an addendum to the contract or by an exchange of letters of understanding added to that record.

III. Recovery of Costs

A. The University shall recover the amount of its subvention, when recovery is possible.

B. If the University provides the entire subvention, it shall recover the sum of the subvention before the author(s) receives royalties.

C. If the University and the author(s) share in the subvention, the University shall receive a share of the royalties proportional to its share, until the amount of the University's contribution to the subvention has been recovered.

IV. Taxation

The author(s) acknowledges and agrees that s/he will be solely responsible for any and all tax consequences which may result or arise as a result of the payment of subvention support.

V. Acknowledgment

The author(s) shall acknowledge the University's subvention in the preface, introduction, or acknowledgments.

 6.11 / Policy on Research Involving Human Subjects
Upon the recommendation of the University Research Publication Committee, (now the Faculty Support Committee [7-88]) the Faculty Senate adopted general policies and procedures for the clearance of research involving human subjects. These policies and procedures are consonant with those of the federal government and include research done by faculty and/or WSU students. The policies and procedures are aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of the subject, the investigator, and the University.

In general, "subjects at risk" are involved. This phrase is interpreted to mean "any individual who may be exposed to the possibility of injury, including physical, psychological, or social injury, as a consequence of participation as a subject in any research, development, or related activity which departs from the applications of those accepted methods necessary to meet his/her needs, or which increases the ordinary risks of daily life, including risks inherent in a chosen occupation or field of service."

Responsibility for review of all research involving human subjects has been placed with the Institutional Review Board with secretariat in the ORA. At least nine persons representing varying backgrounds related to the research activities of the University, including at least one person from a non-scientific area such as the law or ethics and one person who is not affiliated with the University, serve on the Board. To discover whether the proposed research requires filing a protocol statement with the Institutional Review Board, the principal investigator should contact the ORA.

Details concerning the format for the protocol statement and other matters pertaining to research involving human subjects, including classes exempt from review, may be obtained from the ORA.

 6.12 / Policy on Radiation Sources
The use and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation emitting equipment in activities such as teaching, research, or other services is regulated by federal and state statutes. Control and monitoring of activities involving radioactive materials and radiation emitting equipment as well as disposal of wastes is the responsibility of the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) in the Environmental Health and Safety Office working under the aegis of the Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). All personnel (faculty, staff, students, guests) using such materials must comply with all applicable regulations. Authorization to use such materials is only available from the RSO and the RSC and must be obtained prior to acquiring materials or equipment. Information describing the procedures for obtaining authorization, purchase, use, and disposal of materials and equipment is available from the Environmental Health and Safety Office. RSO access to laboratories and other facilities to perform inspections is a necessary part of compliance with regulations governing purchase, storage, use, and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation emitting equipment.

 6.13 / Policy on Hazardous Chemical Materials
The use of hazardous materials in activities including teaching, research, or other services as well as disposal is regulated by federal and state statutes. Control and monitoring of activities involving hazardous materials and disposal of hazardous wastes in all areas of WSU is the responsibility of the Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) working under the aegis of the Vice President for Administration and Finance. All personnel (faculty, staff, students, guests) using such materials must comply with all applicable regulations. Faculty and staff members are responsible for reporting activities involving hazardous and extremely hazardous materials to the EHSO and cooperating with the Office to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. EHSO access to laboratories and other facilities to perform inspections is a necessary part of compliance with regulations governing purchase, storage, use, and disposal of all chemical materials.

 6.14 / Policy on Animal Care
The use of vertebrate animal (e.g., mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, fish, etc.) other than humans in any activity by faculty, staff, or students must be in compliance with the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act and all amendments. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) must receive, review, and authorize animal use prior to the start of a project. Information describing animal welfare regulations, the WSU Animal Welfare Assurance document, and the form for submission of an animal use protocol are available from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

 6.15 / Policy on Biohazards
Biohazardous materials include all agents or processes which pose a risk of immediate or delayed harm to any organism. Project associated hazards include radionuclides, chemical hazards (controlled substances; health hazards such as carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, and hematopoetic toxins; physical hazards such as flammables, reactives, oxidizers, and corrosives), recombinant DNA, human tissues or fluids, cancer viruses, etiological agents and animals. The guidelines for use of biohazards are intended to complement but not replace guidelines established by the radiation Safety Committee (RSC), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The use of any biohazardous material requires review and authorization by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The IBC chair and members are appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR). Institutional Biosafety Report Forms are available from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety..

 6.16 / Misconduct in Research
POLICY STATEMENT: For the purposes of this policy, the definition of "misconduct in research" means fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, or other practices that seriously deviate from those that are commonly accepted within the scientific community for proposing, conducting, or reporting research. It does not include honest error or honest differences in interpretations or judgments of data. Standards of scholarly and creative conduct in nonscientific areas will be based on commonly accepted standards of those areas.

PROCEDURE: When a specific allegation is made in good faith or when evidence of possible misconduct in research is discovered, the Affirmative Action Officer shall immediately conduct an inquiry. Written notification of the allegation will be provided to the individual suspected and to the chief administrative officer in charge of research (henceforth referred to as the Research Officer). Information will be gathered to determine whether an allegation or apparent instance of misconduct warrants an investigation. To the maximum extent possible, the privacy of those who in good faith report apparent misconduct will be protected. The inquiry will be conducted in such a way as to provide the affected individual(s) confidential treatment, a prompt and thorough investigation, and an opportunity to comment on all allegations and findings of the inquiry and/or allegations.

An inquiry must be completed within 60 days of its initiation unless circumstances clearly warrant a longer period. A written report shall be prepared by the Affirmative Action Officer that summarizes the evidence reviewed and relevant interviews, and states the conclusions of the inquiry. The individual(s) against whom the allegation was made shall be given a copy of the report of the inquiry. If suspected individual(s) comment(s) on the report, those comments will be made part of the record. If the inquiry takes longer than 60 days to complete, the suspected individual and the Research Officer will be notified in writing and the record of the inquiry shall include documentation of the reasons for exceeding the 60-day period.

If the Affirmative Action Officer's inquiry does not substantiate the allegation, the written report and supporting files will be kept for three years in a secure location designated by the Research Officer and then destroyed. For projects funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), copies of the report will be given to authorized DHHS personnel upon their request.

If the Affirmative Action Officer's inquiry does uphold the allegation, the Affirmative Action Officer will submit a written report on the inquiry to the Research Officer for initiation of an investigation. The investigation will commence within 30 days of the completion of the inquiry and will be completed in totality within 120 days of commencement. If federally funded research is involved, a written report will be made to the appropriate federal agency on or before the date the investigation begins. All investigations of DHHS funded research or other federally funded research must comply with pertinent regulations issued by the respective federal agency.

The Research Office in consultation with the President of the Faculty Senate and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research (VPAAR) will appoint an ad hoc committee of not fewer than three members chosen for their objectivity and competence to conduct an investigation. The investigation shall provide for due process for the suspected individual. The ad hoc committee will be responsible for:

1. examining all documentation relevant to the allegation and conducting interviews with individuals involved in the allegation,

2. securing necessary expertise to carry out the evaluation of the relevant evidence,

3. taking precautions against real or apparent conflicts of interest on the part of those involved,

4. preparing and maintaining the documentation necessary to substantiate the investigation's findings,

5. insuring confidentiality of all proceedings, documentation and records of the investigation unless this confidentiality is waived in writing by the accused, and

6. making a final recommendation to the Research Officer as to validity of the allegation.

RESOLUTION: If the investigation does not substantiate the allegation, no further action will take place and the suspected individual will be notified in writing of the findings. Records from the investigation will be retained in a secure location designated by the Research Officer for three years and then destroyed.

If the investigation supports the allegations, the Research Officer will notify the VPAAR who will make a determination as to whether the case should be the basis for dismissal for cause as provided for in the Faculty Handbook, or if other appropriate sanctions will be imposed. Documentation associated with a substantiated investigation will be retained by the University and a summary of the actions of the VPAAR will be placed in the individual's personnel record. The University will undertake to protect at all times the professional reputation of individuals accused of scientific misconduct and to protect the positions and reputations of those persons who, in good faith, make allegations.

When DHHS funded research is involved, a final report of the investigation will be sent to the Office of Scientific Integrity. If, at either the inquiry stage, or the investigation stage involving DHHS funded research, the inquiring Affirmative Action Officer or investigating committee believe that there are reasonable indications of possible criminal activity, this will be reported to the VPAAR who will report it to the Office of Scientific Integrity within 24 hours of receipt. Other misconduct investigations concerning federally funded research will be reported as required by the granting agency.

Wichita State University
Faculty Senate
1845 Fairmont
Box 111
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0111
(316) 978-3504
Email: bobbi.dreiling@wichita.edu