AAU, Bean, Espy rumors

The latest rumors, from the faculty club hookah room:
UO is now on an unofficial AAU watch list for underperformance - not enough federal grants or grad students. Johnson Hall is going to try and hang our expulsion on the faculty, or the union, or the weather, but we all know where Frohnmayer and Bean spent our research money - athletics and a pack of stupid pet projects.
The faculty are no longer wondering about Bean's wisdom in hiring a VP for Research from Nebraska, the most recent university to be dropped by the AAU. Instead people are openly calling this the last mistake Gottfredson should ever let Bean make. After some high profile science departures and botched searches, Bean has a classic Dilbert response: he's hired an "executive coach" to teach Espy (whom we pay $295,000) how to do her job. 
I'd make a public records request for that contract, but what's the point? Everyone knows the score, we just don't understand why Gottfredson is leaving these two in the game. Tublitz's Senate motion on Interim Provost Bean is Jan 16th. Should be a fun debate - and yes Jim, the video will be on youtube. 12/11/12.
And a commenter points us to this RFP that UO put out 2 weeks ago, for a consulting firm to do what Espy and her new hires are supposed to do. In FY 2011 the VPR's Office Admin budget had $437,430 for admin salaries. For FY 2013, Espy's got $1,111,007 to spend. Full report here. The consultants are on top of that. As a commenter notes:
Look at Acct code 20000 - Service and Supplies. That's Espy's black hole of consulting:
2011 $2,164,191
2012 $4,546,478
2013 $5,154,632
Speaking of administrative bloat, does anyone know what happened with that multi-million dollar Huron consulting contract? Is it worth me getting attacked by Dave Hubin and Jamie Moffitt for making too many public records requests? If so, you know what it takes for me to dull that pain.
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25 comments:

  1. Are you referring to the RFP that showed up on the OUS procurement website today? Here's the
    Scope of Services description:

    The University of Oregon seeks consulting services to identify emerging federal research funding trends and opportunities. These services will include, without limitation, identifying strategic research funding opportunities, including large scale projects, appropriate to the university’s research strengths and tracking the federal agency budget process to identify federal research agency priorities and priority setting processes. The successful respondent will have a demonstrated ability to work with universities to act on key funding opportunities including collaboration with the university to assess and plan for federal trends in research funding. University seeks customized consulting services that will support the university’s faculty and research leadership in identifying and obtaining federal research funding.

    The following services will be provided by the successful Proposer:

    2.1 Strategic agenda development – Within six months, Contractor will assess, plan and prepare a strategic agenda or “federal roadmap” that matches university’s research priorities with current or emerging federal funding opportunities. The planning process will involve at least one campus visit to assist campus leadership with characterizing, understanding and anticipating federal opportunities. The final written report will, include recommendations for research funding priorities for a two-year period.

    2.2 Customized Program & Project management – Contractor will provide program management for identified research funding priorities including but not limited to coordination of agency visits, executive branch support, congressional budget process support, and implementation assistance as needed. The work occurs on an on-going basis in close coordination with university research leadership.

    2.3 Strategic Positioning – Contractor will enhance university’s research visibility with key federal decision makers including federal agencies, Congress, the Administration, and research advocacy groups. Activities include identifying opportunities for university research leadership and research faculty to participate in forums, contribute to coalition efforts, and connect university research priorities to federal policy, budget and program activity. The activity occurs on an on-going basis.

    2.4 Roadmap management – Contractor will provide at least monthly written reports to university about federal agency budget, rulemaking, program announcements or other activity that is relevant to the identified research priorities. In addition to written reports, Contractor will participate at least monthly in a program management conference call with designated university personnel including research and government relations leadership. Contractor will travel at least once a year to campus to meet with university leadership and faculty for planning, implementation, and evaluation activities. Contractor will provide electronic updates, webinars, and use other communications tools to communicate with campus as requested.

    2.5 Contractor is responsible for ensuring that no state or federal lobbying, gifts and/or ethics laws are violated by any of contractor’s activities or suggested activities.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Wow... Can I get some extra funds to hire people to do my job for me, too? Seriously, isn't this task the raison d'être of the VPR office's ever-growing staff?

      Delete

    2. I agree. What part of this RFP is above and beyond the VPR office's job description and required expertise? Also point 2.5 the UO, I am sure, cannot pass on it's obligations to comply with the law.

      Delete

  2. In other words, "Please draw me a map."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete

    2. Ok, that comment was just a bit too graphic. Sorry friend.

      Delete

  3. did not Espy hire an expensive staff to resolve these issues?

    but the pattern is clear: hire more staff to avoid hiring more consultants, but as the staff is insecure and/or incompetent, it is imperative to hire more consultants.

    thereby we all win / lose...take your choice.

    dazed duck

    ReplyDelete

  4. Ah, finally enlightenment.

    I thought this blog was about the UO but I was wrong, it is about the Euro

    Nebhepetre Menuhotep, may he reign forever.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thus commenced the Middle Kingdom?

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  5. If there's one thing UO senior administrators are good at, it's spending money on coaches.

    ReplyDelete

  6. I used to work at a consulting firm/contract research firm. Hire me (in advance, I acknowledge I will be charging $750,000, but 2/3 is overhead expenses, and I'll only spend 1/10 of the hours I say I do while spending the rest of the 9/10 bidding on other new contracts, cause that's what consulting and grants are all about).

    ReplyDelete

  7. Let's keep it simple: this is just throwing good money after bad.

    ReplyDelete

  8. "Millions for administrators and consultants, but not one cent for research!"

    ReplyDelete

  9. Look at Acct code 20000 - Service and Supplies. That's Espy's black hole of consulting:

    2011 $2,164,191
    2012 $4,546,478
    2013 $5,154,632

    Time to bring back Rich Linton.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hmm, this is almost worth a public records request. It really wouldn't take much to tipple me over the edge.

      Delete

    2. Is "Service and Supplies" really all for consulting? Presumably the budget must include large startup related costs, not all of which fall into the 'Equipment' category in the Excel file linked to above. Where are these costs? Could these make up part of services and supplies? The main issue raised by this post, a RFP to throw money at consultiants to do the VPR office's job, is appalling, but I find it extremely hard to believe that several Million dollars are being put into consulting. Let's stay calm...

      Delete

    3. Why speculate? A decent bottle of single malt will only cost you $59.99. But I'm willing to negotiate given the holiday season, and the millions of dollars of our money that's at stake. Maker's Mark?

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    4. I would hope you hold yourself in greater esteem than MM.

      Delete

    5. You drive a tough bargain. Evan Williams. Get it to me by breakfast, and I'll request the documents by noon.

      Delete

  10. Time for euthanasia......

    ReplyDelete

  11. The bloated staff and fire hose of money aimed at consultants is appalling indeed. But the real horror is that the problem of Espy is far worse than her poor investments of research-generated funds. Her poor DECISIONS are costing this university far more than the cash she is throwing around. University research is crumbling while she stumbles around, and the few above her will eventually bear complete responsibility because they've had PLENTY of warning.

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  12. When will departments and programs begin to be cut?

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  13. On a positive note, can I get a "hell yeah" for Melissa Woo? She's going to do far more to advance research on this campus, and is pretty damn fun to work with to boot. Hell yeah!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hell yeah #2

      Delete

    2. Dog Says on Woo

      so far, so good or

      Fuckin' A Bubba

      (editorial note to UO matters: bubba is not a cuss word)

      Delete

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