Faculty Effort Reporting Instructions
As a recipient of federal research funds, the foundation is required to have an approved method of verification for payroll expenses. In lieu of time reports, we rely on after-the-fact certification by faculty that the distribution of payroll shown is a reasonable approximation of how their time was spent. Funds shown include direct pay from the foundation, reimbursements from the foundation for university released-time and/or cost-shared effort in the form of university assigned time.
Why is effort reporting required?
- The federal government requires we track, report and validate all compensated effort
- Provides an accurate estimate of your time for both SDSU & SDSURF
- Works as a faculty "timecard" but because of the nature of faculty work it is more accurate to reflect effort over a semester than a weekly basis
Signing your effort report
- This is your opportunity to make corrections - Once certified, it becomes more difficult to make retroactive corrections (i.e. re-allocate/move salary expenses between funds)
- ONLY someone who has first-hand knowledge can certify your effort
- Total FTE Paid Column on the effort report is your pay. Is it an accurate estimate of your effort? If yes, sign and return to SDSURF.
- If not accurate, simply write changes on the effort report, sign and return to SDSURF, and our effort reporting analyst will confirm your changes. We can then use the effort report to fix your salary, without more paperwork.
Legend
- Academic Assignments - UA = University Appointment RT = Reimbursed Time (course buyout) CS = cost Sharing as Released Time
- Foundation Assignments – OL = Overload (additional work from SDSURF funds)
- RT & OL are paid with SDSURF Funds
Contact Information
- For questions regarding effort reporting, contact: Iris Isla at 619-594-4913 or irisla@foundation.sdsu.edu