Department Feature: The Office of the Vice President For Research and Compliance

Oliver G. McGee III, Ph.D., M.B.A, The Vice President for Research and Compliance

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Compliance (OVPRC) is a newly created cabinet-level division dedicated to promoting and fostering research activities at the University while maintaining compliance with federal, state, local, and university regulations governing research.

The OVPRC is chiefly responsible for providing oversight to the Howard University research enterprise and related offices that support research. The Office consists of two units: the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Research Compliance Office.

The Office of Sponsored Programs provides essential support for the University and individual researchers. Given that research projects and other sponsored programs are critical to advancing knowledge, symbols of the prestige and successes of academic disciplines and potential sources of significant revenue for the University, this office is on the front line of an efficient and revitalized research enterprise. Services are provided at each stage of the award life cycle including pre-award and post-award stages as well as education services that span all phases of the life cycle.



Services within the Office of Sponsored Programs are provided by the following four departments:

• Research Administration works to promote the progression of research while fostering growth, imagination, ideas, and innovation. This department assists with funding opportunity, reviews and endorses proposals, negotiates and accepts awards, and issues subawards on behalf of the University.
• Grant and Contract Accounting (currently Restricted Fund Accounting) is responsible for the financial integrity of the research enterprise. These responsibilities include controlling, processing, accounting, preparation and filing of financial reports, billing for awards and coordinating the annual A-133 audit.
• Post Awards Service Unit provides support to the Howard University community in the administration of essential support activities that are required to conduct externally funded projects in the areas of human resources, purchasing and travel. This department helps to ensure, in coordination with other departments, compliance with University, federal, state and private sponsors requirements.
• Research Education and Technical Assistance has the primary responsibility for assessing and addressing the education and information needs of central office staff, principal investigators, project directors, departmental personnel, and others in the University’s research community who are involved with sponsored programs activities.

Research and Compliance Office, the other division under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Compliance, ensures adherence to the University, industry and federal regulations. The Office consists of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Institutional Biosafety Committee, and the Institutional Review Board.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Compliance reports directly to the President of the University. The Vice President for Research and Compliance is the officer with responsibility for all divisions within the unit. Oliver G. McGee III, Ph.D., M.B.A is the current vice president effective July 1, 2007.