From the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

Spring 1996 Vol. 27, No. 3

F.Y.I.

Post Award Update

Effective July 1, 1996, the University will implement several changes that impact how grant and contract funds are spent.

First, the reimbursement rate for local mileage has been increased to $.31 per mile. This rate should be used for all local travel occurring on or after July 1, 1996.

Additionally, the Department of Purchasing has raised the threshold for capital equipment purchases. Capital equipment will now be defined as any item costing $1,200 or more and having a useful life of at least 2 years. Please note that this change will result in indirect costs being assessed on items costing less than $1,200. Although this policy will apply to existing grants and contracts, accounts will not be charged for indirect costs beyond the amount originally budgeted for indirect costs. New proposals with funding requests for capital purchases should be prepared using the new threshold. (If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please call Lori Gabriel at ext. 2425.)

Finally, the limit for purchases made by DPO's has been raised. Beginning in July, you may use a DPO for all purchases of $1,000 or less. The following items, however, should not be purchased by DPO:

• capital items
• furniture
• hazardous materials
• specific services or commodities which may be identified by the Purchasing Department as a result of special contract agreements with the university

Lucas Encourages Faculty Not to "Binge"

Faculty attending the April 19th Proposal Writing Workshop, sponsored by the Research Council and RSP, were cajoled, kidded and encouraged by the enthusiastic approach of the workshop leader, Dr. Robert Lucas. After examining the reasons why faculty don't write, Dr. Lucas took some of the "mystery" out of the proposal-writing process by reviewing the various kinds of funding available, sponsor agency characteristics, and the elements of a proposal.

To combat writer's block, Dr. Lucas offered the following "essentials for effective writing":

• Write "regularly" - 4 times per week with 24 to 48 hours between sessions;
• Write in small periods of time - 25 to 30 minutes per session; and
• Avoid writing "binges".

For more information about the April presentation or to see a copy of Dr. Lucas's book, The Grants World Inside Out, please call RSP at ext. 2425.

FAS Readings

Teresa Timm, CPA, Director of Internal Audit, is now presenting training workshops on how to read your monthly FAS printouts. If you are interested in this training, please contact Teresa at ext. 3711 or ttimm@desire.wright.edu.

Getting it Right

Dr. Kate Cauley is the administrative principal investigator on the WSU subcontract for the award entitled "Reach Out of Montgomery County" announced in the Winter 1996 Research News, and Dr. Syed Ahmed is the principal investigator for the prime grant.

Look in the next issue of Research News for an update on RSP's ongoing search for the best source for funding information.