Dear Colleagues, The question of whether faculty or departments can use F&A to pay for annual professional memberships “no.” Many of us assumed not, but because guidelines suggested it could be used for memberships to research societies, it was worth checking. Relatedly, F&A distributions from FY20 will hit accounts before the end of December. A good practice is to make sure to use your F&A accounts each semester to ensure they do not become deemed “dormant.” I know of no time F&A accounts have been swept by upper (or any) administration, but for dormant accounts of any kind that is always a possibility. Michael Michael J. Karcher, Ed.D., Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research Professor of Educational Psychology College of Education and Human Development University of Texas at San Antonio 501 Cesar Chavez Blvd., Suite DB 4.337 (DT); MB 3.304D (Main Campus, COEHD Dean’s Suite) San Antonio, TX 78207 (Cell: 210-347-1314) (210) 458-2032; 458-2650 (department) michael.karcher@utsa.edu<mailto:michael.karcher@utsa.edu> Hi Everyone, While I am replying to Michael, I wanted to include the ADR team here. F&A Funds cannot be used to pay for Professional Society Membership unless they are explicitly titled as “research societies”. For example, I pay for my ASME, IIE, … memberships from my pocket. Thanks, Can From: Michael Karcher <Michael.Karcher@utsa.edu<mailto:Michael.Karcher@utsa.edu>> Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 9:57 AM To: Can Saygin <Can.Saygin@utsa.edu<mailto:Can.Saygin@utsa.edu>> Subject: Quick question about F&A use “membership in research societies” Hi Can, Sorry to bother you with this quick, but specific, question. But I bet you can answer it. In your F&A use guidelines, it states F&A can be used for “membership in research societies” Does “research society” include “professional organizations”? Like in psychology, faculty pay for annual membership dues to the American Psychological Association. Can faculty and Departments use their F&A for these costs? Or, does “research societies” mean something different than that? Thank you, Michael Michael J. Karcher, Ed.D., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Research Professor of Educational Psychology College of Education and Human Development, University of Texas at San Antonio 501 Cesar Chavez Blvd., Suite DB 4.337 (DT); MB 3.476 (Main Campus) San Antonio, TX 78207 (210) 458-2032; 458-2650 (department) michael.karcher@utsa.edu<mailto:michael.karcher@utsa.edu>