As many of you are aware, there have been a number of recent changes to staffing in the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA). We understand that the departure of key resources may create some concern regarding the ability of SPA to maintain its high level of service. We want to assure you that SPA staff remain committed to providing excellent service to the research community and are prepared to work with you through the upcoming NIH deadlines. In addition, to ensure continuity of support for research, the NYU School of Medicine has taken several steps:

• Huron Consulting Group has been retained to manage the office in the near term;
• Huron will also work with us to assess the current state of SPA and provide recommendations to optimize the service to investigators and administrators;
• They will also assist SPA in planning for the arrival of new faculty for the Smilow building;
• We have begun the process of searching for a new Associate Dean and have already received several promising curriculum vitae;
and
• We will begin the search for a Director of SPA immediately.

Please contact either my office at 263-6808, or Carol Musto-Schiano in Human Resources directly at 404-3845, if you can recommend potential candidates for either position.

Institutional Official/Signature Authority

As of May 2, 2005, the Institutional Official signing grant applications and communications to sponsors will be Karen Carr. Farooq Niazi will serve as backup.

Abram Goldfinger in the Office of Industrial Liaison maintains signing authority for Material Transfer Agreements (MTA).

We believe that the measures put into place will, along with the commitment of the SPA staff, enable SPA to continue to support the research community. Concerns and questions may be addressed to Matthew Staman, from Huron Consulting Group, at 212-263-6701. I am also available to discuss any issues with members of the research community.

Kathleen P. Gallagher
Vice Dean for Administration
263-6808