<div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" style="">Dear faculty,</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif">I would like to share a brief update regarding staffing,
financial processes, and proposal submissions.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><b><font face="arial, sans-serif">Staffing</font></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif">We
have extended an offer for the Purchasing/Travel Assistant position and
anticipate the candidate will begin in early March.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif">We are
interviewing for the Research Analyst I role this week. Once filled, the
Finance team will be fully staffed.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Recruitment
for the Financial Operations Manager is well underway, with interviews
expected to begin this Friday. The Financial Administrative Officer
posting closes next week, and interviews will follow shortly thereafter.
Our goal is to have both positions filled by mid-March, allowing Maria and
me time to train the new team members before transitioning
responsibilities.</font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Financial Requests<br></b><br>
Please continue to direct all finance-related requests (e.g., student or lab
personnel hires, grant questions, etc.) to your assigned Analyst. An updated
Analyst/PI assignment list is attached for reference. A revised version will be
shared once our final position is filled.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Monthly Financial Reports<br></b><br>
We are finalizing a standardized monthly report that will provide a detailed
breakdown of your funds. This report will support both you and your Analyst in
monitoring balances closely, helping to prevent deficits and ensure appropriate
account usage.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Process Improvements<br></b><br>
While some of these efforts may not be visible, we have implemented procedures
to expedite purchase requisitions and travel/reimbursement approvals. These
steps are designed to reduce bottlenecks and ensure requests move forward in a
timely manner.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Proposal Submissions<br></b><br>
To ensure adequate review and timely submission, please observe the following
lead times:</font></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Complex
proposals</b> (particularly those with sub-awards): minimum of two weeks’
notice to allow documents to be uploaded at least one week in advance.
These proposals require significant coordination and review.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Cost-shared
proposals</b>: minimum of one month’s notice due to required documentation
and institutional coordination.</font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Standard
proposals</b>: minimum of one week’s notice. </font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif">As a reminder, RED requires two business days to review
proposals in their queue.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Each Analyst supports approximately 15 PIs. As such,
last-minute requests can disrupt work on proposals that were submitted within
the requested timelines. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in
helping us maintain equitable and efficient service for all.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Forms and Key Requests<br></b><br>
We will be introducing a key request form to improve tracking and prevent
requests from being overlooked in email. Although it may seem like an added
step, this change will increase transparency and ensure timely processing. We
are also reviewing our current forms with the goal of streamlining and
eliminating redundancies where possible.</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%"><font face="arial, sans-serif" style="">Thank you for your continued partnership and cooperation.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.</font></p></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal"><a name="SignatureSanitizer__MailAutoSig"><span style="color:#002060">Thank you,</span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#002060">Sherice</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#002060"> <img src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zCLx8JuZUEwJiZiUaRYba2XWUsi644nhOkFh2iZJMGFArT4O80kkCsyFseJLZrsoSivesAEzOHdNDN"></span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#002060">Sherice Underwood, Interim Financial
and Administrative Officer</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="IT" style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#002060">BMP Administration Unit</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="IT" style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#002060">Department
of Biochemistry </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="IT" style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#002060">Department
of Microbiology and </span><span style="color:rgb(0,32,96);font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Plant Pathology </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(0,32,96);font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif">Boyce Hall, RM 1425</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,32,96);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial">Zoom
personal Link (8:30am -4:30)</span><span style="font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(35,35,51);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial">: <a href="https://ucr.zoom.us/j/3844219267" target="_blank"><span style="color:#467886">https://ucr.zoom.us/j/3844219267</span></a></span><span style="font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(35,35,51);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(0,32,96);background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial">In the
Office Mon-Wed; Remote Thursday and Friday</span><span style="font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:#002060"></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#002060">951-827-5902 </span><span lang="IT" style="font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#002060"></span></p></div></div></div></div>