Transcript Presentation on RTRF

What is RTRF?
(Research and Training Revolving Fund)
• Funding pool generated from indirect (F & A) project costs.
• Allocation:
– 25% VPRI (System)
– 25% VCR (UHM)
– 50% to Deans & Directors (UHM)
• HRS 304A-2253 Expenditures are authorized for:
1. Research and training purposes that may result in additional
research and training grants and contracts;
2. Facilitating research and training at the university and ;
3. Further deposit into the discoveries and inventions special
fund.
Facts:
1. 5% System wide additional
RTRF withholding by VPRI.
2. Withholding for legal fees
and expenses related to
various astronomy programs.
Issues:
1. VPRI (system level) did not
consult with the UHM faculty.
2. Chancellor (UHM) did not
consult with UHM faculty
(Discovered through UHARI
list serve).
3. Why did UHM Chancellor not
object to the withholding?
4. Which programs will be
affected at campus level?
5. Need to guarantee that
changes to RTRF will occur
with MFS consultation.
6. Are funds withheld
justifiable? (e.g. legal)
4/20/2005
COR Resolution
Requesting VPR
(system) and VCR
(UHM) consult with
MFS regarding RTRF
distributions.
Timeline
9/28/2015
9/19/2015 CAB decides to draft
resolution because of
UHARI
distributes VPRI memo received
via UHARI.
memo.
8/18/2015
Memo from VPRI to
UHM Chancellor on
5% additional
withholding.
10/05/2015
CAB circulates draft
version of resolution.
Notified of additional
RTRF resolution from
English/Pol. Sci.
Depts.
10/07/2015
CAB votes to adopt
resolution drafted by
CAB with amendment
adding language from
Eng./Pol. Sci.
Resolution.
10/16/15
CAB, COR, SEC reps.
meet with VPRI
Syrmos .
Summary of Meeting with VPRI
According to VPRI:
• VPRI can make changes to RTRF withholding.
• Legal fees are a justifiable expenditure in
support of research enterprise.
• VPRI consulted with UHM Interim Chancellor
Bley-Vroman, and Interim Vice Chancellor
Taylor as well as upper admin. from other
system level campuses.
Key Issues
1.Need to ensure future consultation with MFS
on RTRF matters at system and campus level.
2.Need to ensure this withholding will not be
reoccurring.
3.Need to determine how the RTRF holding is
planned to be absorbed at campus level.
4.Need to object to this RTRF withholding.
§304A-2253 Research and training revolving fund. (a) There is established a University of
Hawaii research and training revolving fund into which shall be deposited one hundred per
cent of the total amount of indirect overhead revenues generated by the university from
research and training programs. The board of regents is authorized to expend one hundred
per cent of the revenues deposited in the fund for:
(1) Research and training purposes that may result in additional research and training
grants and contracts;
(2) Facilitating research and training at the university; and
(3) Further deposit into the discoveries and inventions special fund.
(b) The annual report required to be made for this revolving fund shall include but not be
limited to a breakdown of travel expenses.
(c) Notwithstanding sections 304A-107 and [304A-2174] to the contrary, the board of
regents or its designee, may establish a separate account within the research and training
revolving fund for the purpose of providing advance funding to meet reimbursable costs
incurred in connection with federally financed research and training projects. Any
reimbursement received as a result of providing advance funding shall be deposited into the
research and training revolving fund to be used for the purpose of meeting reimbursable
costs incurred in connection with federally financed projects.
(d) Revenues deposited into the fund shall not be used as a basis for reducing any current
or future budget request or allotment to the university unless the university requests such a
reduction. [L 2006, c 75, pt of §2; am L 2011, c 124, §5]
2015 System Level RTRF expenditures
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