The UNC Policy Manual

500.5

Adopted 03/06/02

 

University Research Facilities and Administration Receipts Reporting Policy

Purpose. The University of North Carolina receives reimbursement of Facilities and Administration (F&A) costs related to grants and contracts and is expected to allocate these funds within the appropriate state and federal guidelines.  Pursuant to the provisions of Senate Bill 1005, Section 31.14 (2001), the UNC Board of Governors is required to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 1, each year, the amount of overhead receipts for the University System and the use of those receipts.

Background. F&A costs (sometimes called indirect or overhead receipts) are calculated for such items as facilities maintenance and renewal, libraries, salaries of technical, compliance and administrative personnel, equipment, scholarly development, and facilities support.  F&A rates are set by negotiation between the federal government and each university.  Lower rates are often established statutorily or by policy by certain programs and sponsors.

Under federal OMB Circular A-21 indirect costs generally reimburse for costs of the grants and contracts operations of the institution and other overhead expenses of the university in a manner consistent with the formulae under which the funds were recovered.  Internal university controls pertaining to the compliance requirements for sponsored project expenditures under OMB Circular A-133 are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of the following objectives:

1.            Transactions are properly recorded and accounted for in order to permit preparation of reliable financial statements and reports and maintain accountability over assets. 

2.            Transactions are executed in compliance with laws, regulations and provisions of federal and state laws and in accordance with sponsored agreement terms.

3.            Funds, property, and other assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or disposition.

Requirements

1.            UNC institutions determine expenditure of F&A receipts.  The chancellor of each constituent institution shall expend F&A funds only to support scholarly development of its faculty, staff and students or to ensure that the campus infrastructure is supported to enhance such scholarly activities. 

2.            In a format to be provided by the Office of the President, each campus will report by December 1, the amount of F & A funds received, amount expended by purpose, and uncommitted balance.  A report will be made to the Board of Governors at the February board meeting.

3.            Chancellors shall formulate and submit a copy of an administrative procedure for the use and reporting of F&A funds to the President, consistent with Board of Governors’ guidelines for the expenditure of F&A funds.