Month: April 2012

Budget Report for 2012-13

aadam02

Provost Earl Lewis and Charlotte Johnson, Senior Vice Provost for Administration, presented a review of the budget process in preparation for fiscal year 2012-13 at the April 17 Faculty Council meeting. “Over the last few years, the academy has witnessed a major structural realignment, both at the macroeconomic level worldwide but also what that means for higher education,” Lewis said, noting the steady decline of net recovery income from tuition as well as the decline of indirect cost recovery from external grants, especially in the health sciences. As a result, the first budget model reviewed showed a $17.1 million operating deficit in all school activities. After working with deans on cost-saving measures, however, that projected deficit was reduced to $3.2 million (on a $741 million revenue budget). “Seven of our schools are now balanced in the model or will be contributing to their operating reserves,” Johnson said. While public health and nursing will be contributing to reserves, the two largest academic units, the college and the medical school, will have operating deficits. The budget will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval on June 8.

 

Gray Book Feedback, Ombuds Office Endorsed

aadam02

Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Claire Sterk offered an update and clarification on the proposed revisions to the “Gray Book,” the statement of principles governing faculty relationships with the university, a document “owned by the Board of Trustees,” as she explained. Council members shared feedback gathered from their respective constituen- cies, which will be shared with the Academic Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees. Provost Lewis promised to return to the Council to “offer an accounting” of the Board of Trustees’ further deliberations.

The Council also voted unanimously to endorse the recommendations of the ad hoc committee on faculty grievance policies and procedures. The committee recommended an ombuds office to help resolve conflicts that do not involve illegality. It would “provide a listening ear for faculty . . . and also serve as a resource to train university personnel in conflict resolution and about university venues for resolution of various sorts of faculty workplace problems.” The endorsement has been presented to the president and provost for further consideration.

 

New Conflict of Interest in Research Policy

aadam02

Assistant Vice President for Research Administration Brenda Seiton spoke to the Council on new federal regulations that will directly affect Emory faculty members receiving Public Health Service research dollars. The newly revised conflict of interest regulations go into effect in 2012 and affect awards issued after August 24, 2012. In essence, investigators must now report significant financial interests related to their institutional responsibilities. “Before, it was left to the investigators to determine whether a financial interest was related to their research project,” Seiton explained. “So what they have done is said, let’s take that out of the investigator’s hands and put it into the hands of the institution.” The new regulations lower the threshold of review to a total of $5,000 in income and equity, require the reporting of travel directly reimbursed to an individual and not funded by a US academic institution or the government, require the public disclosure of all conflicts of interest, and mandate training in conflict of interest policies for all faculty receiving external support. For details, visit coi.emory.edu.