July 25, 2025

TO:
Lisa Allen, Director, Office of Grants and Contracts Administration
Michelle Bunch, Associate Director, Office of Grants and Contracts Administration
FROM:
Daniel M. White, Chancellor
CC:
Charlene Stern, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Julie Queen, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services
Laura Conner, Vice Chancellor for Research
Bryan Uher, Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community & Native Education
Owen Guthrie, Vice for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Tom Hough, Executive Director of University Advancement
Amanda Wall, Associate Vice Chancellor for Financial and Business Services
RE:
Delegation of Authority as UAF Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)

In accordance with Board of Regents’ Policy 10.07.020, “Sponsored Projects Submittal and Acceptance” and University Regulation 10.07.020, “Agreements with External Academic and Research Entities” only a unit or individual with explicit approval from the president or chancellor may develop or sign any agreement with an external academic or research entity on behalf of the university or any of its units.

I hereby designate the UAF Director and Associate Director of the Office of Grants and Contracts Administration (OGCA) as the UAF Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR). This designation includes the authority to submit funding proposals, bids, and quotes to sponsors on behalf of UAF and to sign all related proposal documents, including certifications and assurances, matching/cost sharing requests, F&A policy exemption requests, PI policy exemption requests, and letters of commitment to other institutions.

In the event of a conflict of interest or absence of both AORs named above, the AOR may delegate limited AOR signature authority by written memorandum specifying the scope and duration of authority. This limited authority may not be further delegated without the Chancellor’s approval.

The AOR is authorized to execute:

  • Federal and Federal Flow-Through Bilateral grants, contracts, sub-contracts, other transaction authority agreements, and cooperative agreements
  • State, Municipal, Tribal, and industry-sponsored agreements
  • Modifications
  • Sub-awards/Sub-contracts
  • Foundation and Non-Profit Agreements
  • Non-Financial Research and Collaborative Agreements

The AOR is expected to:

  • Maintain Institutional Registrations in Federal Systems
  • Comply with applicable University of Alaska policies, procedures, federal & state regulations, and sponsor-specific terms & conditions.
  • Observe BOR Policy 04.10 “Ethics & Conduct” and the Alaska Executive Branch of Ethics Act
  • Be documented and retained in accordance with UA records-retention schedules to ensure audit readiness.

The AOR is not authorized to execute:

  • Real-Property Leases
  • Capital Constructions Contracts
  • Gift Agreements

This delegation supersedes all prior delegations of AOR authority and remains in effect until amended or revoked in writing by the Chancellor. Revocation will not affect the validity of actions taken prior to the revocation date.

DMW:ls

Download signed memo (PDF)