Dive Brief:
- Ed Tech Magazine profiles the possibilities that extensive investment in IT for research labs and centers could create for revenues in grants and contracts.
- With nearly $70 billion in contract revenue going to colleges and universities in 2014, using technology to reduce administrative tasks like procurement, payroll and other functions could save time and improve chances to compete for and excel in management of grants.
- Increased IT support for research also improves security for project management and encourages intra-campus collaboration and support.
Dive Insight:
This is the latest in a growing call from faculty and researchers for campuses to improve administrative support to the academic enterprise. While cost cuts have typically ravaged administrative support staff in laboratories and academic offices, many are growing in the belief that technology can replace and expedite the processes normally reserved for a person or team of people in helping faculty to remain focused on research and teaching.
Cornell University is approaching this effort with faculty committee charged with making recommendations, but perhaps campuses can look to IT departments for similar input on how systems can better support faculty, and the timetables for options to be onboarded to departments or entire campuses.