ORSP Enhancement Task Force

Message from the Provost:

Academic Affairs recently commissioned the Society of Research Administrators (SRA) to review the the structure and operations of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. That review, which included multiple interviews and an extensive evaluation of policies and procedures, has resulted in a final report that you can access at the link provided below. This report includes a set of recommendations for the improvement of the ORSP. In the next few days, I will charge a task force chaired by Cathy Christie (Brooks College of Health) with the responsibility of determining which of these recommendations warrant implementation and on what timetable. It is empowered to seek whatever additional input is necessary to inform its decision. I will ask the task force to provide its recommendations to me by the end of October so that the improvement process can commence no later than the start of the spring semester.

SRA Final Report, August, 2012 (download file - 6.31 MB)

Task Force Members:

Catherine Christie, Associate Dean, BCH and Chair of Task Force
Rick Buck, General Counsel

Andres Gallo, Professor, Economics and Geography

Cheresa Hamilton, ORSP

Newton Jackson, Associate Provost, Academic Affairs

Alexandra Schonning, Associate Professor, Engineering

Carolyn Stone, Professor, Educational Leadership

Michael Toglia, Professor and Chair, Psychology

Mark Tumeo, Dean, CCEC

Jeffry Will, Professor, Sociology, Director, Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives

ORSP Task Force Report, 2012

Provost's Charge:

The provost thanked the task force members for their willingness to serve on this important ad hoc committee, and especially Cathy Christie for her willingness to chair it. He pointed out that it was constituted of senior faculty and administrators who have had extensive experience with the ORSP and are well positioned to know about processes for institutional change. He also explicitly acknowledged the important role that Cheresa Hamilton could serve on the task force as a conduit to the ORSP.
The provost observed that the ORSP has operated with positive intentions over the past seven years (that is, the duration of his tenure as provost) to serve the research community effectively and efficiently. Further, he conveyed AVP Ebong’s openness to the review and enhancement process.
The provost observed that the performance of the ORSP to some extent must be understood within the context of the national economic downturn and, within the institution, of the uncertainty that continues to exist among faculty regarding the place and purpose of research at UNF and the expectations that govern faculty evaluation.
The provost reaffirmed his own strong commitment to research at UNF on the basis of its contribution to faculty development, student learning, regional development, and the creation of knowledge.
The provost suggested to the task force that it would be important to clarify its understanding of the place and purpose of funded research (in particular) at UNF so that its recommendations would be understood as supporting or advancing that rationale.
All that said, the provost recognized that the report of the consultants points to many areas of potential improvement and at the very least of the perceived need for improvement.
The provost charged the task force with determining which of the recommendations to implement and in what order; which to defer, and until when; which to modify; and which to ignore.
The provost empowered the task force to consult with whomever it wished to in order to arrive at its recommendations, albeit with no obligation to undertake a separate investigation into the policies, practices, or performance of the ORSP.
The provost indicated that, in the course of its deliberations, he also would ask the task force to make recommendations on several policies that the ORSP has recommended for adoption.
And finally, the provost asked the task force whether it would be desirable for there to be a permanent advisory council in place (over and beyond the Faculty Association Research Committee) to assist the ORSP in carrying out is complex and critical duties.