VA-SRA Minutes 5/16-17/2001

May 16

The spring meeting of the Virginia Chapter of the Society of Research Administrators, "Professional Development for the 21st Century Research Administrator," was held on May 16th and 17th, 2001 at the German Manor Club at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI). After a welcome by president Anne Womack, College of William & Mary, Pat Hobbs of VPI thanked her planning committee and introduced the welcoming guest speakers VPI President Charles Steger; VPI Associate Provost for Research Len Peters; and Interim Associate Director of Sponsored Programs David Richardson.

The first topic of the afternoon was "Ethics and Leadership", led by Ann McGuigan of George Mason University, Sherrye McGregor of NSF, and Elizabeth McDonnell, University of Richmond.

The following topics were presented in separate break-out sessions: "Orientation/Overview of Research Administration" by Bill McDermott of UVA and Eunice Carwile of Hampden-Sydney, and "Compliance - It's All About Communication" by David Hudson of UVA, and Mike Ludwick of William & Mary.

Some of the attendees visited the Virtual CAVE at VPI before forming dinner groups.

May 17

Breakfast and roundtables began Day 2, with the following topics and facilitators: "Subcontracts", led by Ann McGuigan in the absence of the intended speaker, "Cost-Sharing" with David Richardson, "Budgeting Basics," with Mike Ludwick, "Marrying Foundation Relations and Sponsored Programs" with Jenny Bradley, Roanoke College, "Effort Reporting" with Ginger Allen, VPI, "Living with Credit Cards and Phone Cards," Sarah Underwood and Cindy Gwinn, Radford University, "Site Visits by Feds and Foundations", Elizabeth McDonnell, "Proposal Writing", Anne Womack, and "Electronic Research Administration," Pat Buennemeyer, JMU. Afterward, the main points gathered from these topics were shared with the membership by the facilitators.

The business meeting was called to order by President Anne Womack.

Old Business:

The minutes and treasurer's report were approved as presented. A brief explanation was given concerning the VA-SRA treasury providing the funding by reimbursement for all VA-SRA meetings. It was also announced that the chapter will be repaying the original start-up funding of $2,000 to the international chapter within the next year.

A gift and card of appreciation have been sent to Mary Schamber, former secretary-treasurer of the chapter.

New Business:

The new VA-SRA website was demonstrated briefly to the attendees. William & Mary volunteered to maintain the site and domain until the domain must be renewed in fall 2002, at which time another college can take it over if it wishes.

UVA has handled the VA/SRA listserv for several years. Kobby Hoffman is the current administrator, but she would like to pass the project to someone else in the near future. A volunteer is needed.

It is now planned to send an up-to-date hard copy full membership list each summer to all paid members, for use in networking.

Members were reminded about the travel fellowship opportunities.

The fall meeting will be at Virginia Commonwealth University. Lorraine Murphey is host program chairman. The point was made by Janet Hahn that the meeting evaluation sheets were an excellent place to list ideas for the program.

Recent recipients of the CRA designation Billie Martin-Lowry (VCU) and Pat Hobbs (VPI) were recognized and congratulated.

Nominating committee chair Pat Buennemeyer presented the slate of officers for the coming year: Janet Hahn (Radford University) for president, Ginger Allen (VPI) for president-elect, Peggy Candler (UVA) for secretary, and Billie Martin-Lowry (VCU) to continue as treasurer. A call was made for nominations from the floor; none were made, and the president declared the nominations closed. The slate was voted upon and accepted unanimously. The winners were congratulated.

Outgoing president Anne Womack presented a gift and a tribute to JMU's Pat Buennemeyer for her outstanding contributions to her fellow research administrators, to the chapter and to SRA International over the years. She has recently been voted president of the southern section.

The president announced that Buennemeyer also will chair a committee to study the revision of the chapter By-Laws.

New president Janet Hahn presented outgoing president Womack with a plaque of appreciation.

President Hahn asked the members to be considering the idea of having a meeting at a place other than at one of the member universities, such as a centrally located hotel or conference center. This would be useful if a meeting at a university or college was not convenient.

The business meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

After a short break the regular meeting resumed with “Electronics, It’s a Real Turn-On”, presented by Paul Markovitz from NIH, chair of the Federal Commons Subcommittee. Following lunch, Dr. David Moore, Assistant Vice Provost for Research Compliance at Virginia Tech, presented “Responsible Conduct of Research”.

Incoming president Janet Hahn called for the evaluations, and the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Submitted by Anne Womack