During its bi-weekly meeting Thursday night, the Faculty Senate evaluated the progress of an ongoing project aimed to revitalize Stanford’s system for research proposals.

Chairman of the Faculty Senate and Computer Science Prof. Eric Roberts introduced the report by distinguishing between long-term and short-term problems facing the Office of Research Administration. Immediately at hand is the risk Stanford faces by using soon-to-be-obsolete software for preparing and submitting research proposals for government awards.

Director of Research Administration Anne Hannigan spoke about the urgent need for Stanford to change its inefficient current system, which, among other problems, entails the major risk of non-compliance with federal requirements.

A steering committee of Stanford Research Administration leaders reviewed existing systems and settled on InfoEd as the best new option. The system allows for streamlined workflow linking researchers, faculty and the administration; it also keeps track of federal requirements to ensure compliance.

According to Hannigan, InfoEd distinguishes itself from larger competitors like Peoplesoft and Oracle in its in-depth understanding of the business of research administration. In an early test, InfoEd got many positive reviews from selected Stanford faculty and research administrators.

Recently, there has been movement toward electronic systems for research proposal submission and preparation. The Stanford group analyzed decisions at comparable research institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania and Harvard. Most of them are adopting single electronic systems to facilitate the research administration process. Several government agencies that fund research have announced that they will require electronic submission of proposals by 2006, Hannigan said.

Ultimately, the goals of the implementation of the new system are to effectively manage research proposals, facilitate cross-disciplinary research and lower the burden on administrative staff.

Because Stanford spends nearly $1 billion annually on research, the implementation of a new program like InfoEd is a very important undertaking. According to a Stanford Electronic Research Administration report, research income accounts for 37 percent of the University’s revenues.

Still, the group emphasized that this is just a preliminary report designed to ensure that faculty and staff are being kept up-to-date on software proposals that may affect their work.

“Over half of the faculty is in a position to be affected [by any new system],” said Roberts. “There was some unhappiness about the implementation of Oracle’s software, and we want to people to be better informed all along this time around.”

Among other issues addressed at the meeting, the Senate unanimously passed the Committee on Review of Undergraduate Majors’ recommended re-authorization of degree-granting authority for the American Studies program for the next five years.

Brad Osgood, chairman of the Committee, presided over a glowing report on the improvements made to Stanford’s Interdisciplinary Program in American Studies since a 2001 review. He joined other senators in voicing gratitude for the leadership of Director of American Studies Shelley Fishkin for revamping the program and establishing the major as a campus-wide presence.

“This is an excellent example of good results from a thorough senate review of a program,” said Osgood. “This program is in great shape, and its future looks bright.”

The meeting concluded with a brief report on the effect of President George W. Bush’s proposed budget on research at universities like Stanford. Increases in funding for the Department of Energy and the Office of Science were hopeful signs, but cuts at NASA and the Department of Defense —.4 percent and 16 percent, respectively— were causes for some concern.

For the Steering Committee, Roberts outlined a schedule for the last meeting of Winter Quarter, along with topics to be addressed for Spring Quarter. Upcoming events include a meeting with Vice President of Public Affairs David Demarest, a report by the new Dean of Admissions and a presentation by Dean of Libraries Mike Keller on the progress of the Google project.

Friends and colleagues of the late Chemistry Chair Harry Taube, professor emeritus Bruce Stocker and Professor Emeritus Rodney Beard. presented brief biographies of their accomplishments in Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology and Health Research and Medicine, respectively. The Senate stood in respectful silence to honor the deceased.