About University Research Administration
University Research Administration reporting structure changed; Susan Boone named interim director
| To: | All Faculty and All Staff |
| Date: | August 17, 2007 |
| From: | Donald Levy, Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories |
| Subject: | Announcement |
As of July 1, 2007, University Research Administration (URA), the group responsible for providing review and institutional endorsement of all applications, negotiation and acceptance of awards for sponsored funding, grant and contract management, information services, and training, reports to the Vice President for Research and for National Laboratories as it has in the past. Oversight of financial conflict of interest remains with the Deputy Provost for Research, Keith Moffat. Upon the retirement of URA Director Mary Ellen Sheridan, Susan Boone, URA Deputy Director, will serve as Interim Director effective September 1.
Susan’s current responsibilities include serving as senior staff member overseeing the day-to-day activities of grant and contract administration, signing proposals and sub-awards for the University, overseeing Grants.gov implementation, developing and managing a University-wide training program for sponsored programs administrators, oversight of the University Research Administration website, and representing the Associate Vice President for Research in on- and off-campus activities pertaining to research administration.
Susan has a B.A. in economics, and a Masters and Ph.D. in ethics. She is currently Co-Chair of the Sub-awards Task Force of the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP). Susan worked in the past for the Treasury Department as a federal bank examiner, was a stock broker with Merrill-Lynch, and a bond trader and bond portfolio manager for a mid-size bank in New England. After graduate work in ethics, Susan taught for two years at St. Bonaventure University. She has been with The University of Chicago for ten years.
I am confident that Susan will do a superb job handling the reigns as we continue the selection process for a permanent director, a position she has chosen not to pursue. She has the experience and expertise to ensure a smooth transition and we are grateful for her willingness to take on these responsibilities.
A nationally recognized figure in research administration, Mary Ellen will retire from her position as Associate Vice President for Research, and Director, University Research Administration on August 31 after thirteen years of service to the University. She has been a long-standing member of the Council on Government Relations (COGR), and was appointed to its Board in 1997 serving as member and Chair of the COGR Research Compliance and Administration Committee. She was the Chair of the COGR Board of Directors from 2002-2004.
In addition to her many accomplishments in the national arena, Mary Ellen has played a key role in the University’s progress in many areas of research administration. From the streamlining of grants management processes, especially between URA and BSD Office of Research Services, to helping both researchers and administrators navigate the evolving requirements for electronic research administration, her work demonstrated the tremendous value a professional staff of research administrators can bring to a university. Mary Ellen has done an outstanding job overseeing research administration here at the university. Id like to thank her for her service and wish her the very best in her retirement.
After August 31 Mary Ellen has agreed stay on as Special Assistant to the Vice President providing additional support to my office as needed.
