TRAC Time Allocation Schedules
Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry
If you have problems or queries, please contact the TRAC and TAS team at:
tracteam@exeter.ac.uk
A special welcome to all PCMD staff.
The fact that you are reading this means that you have probably received the automatic email alert asking you to complete a TAS form.
TAS is one of the TRAC systems required by HEFCE of all UK universities. Because it is a major element in the production of Full Economic Cost (fEC) rates used in costing research, it also attracts a lot of interest from the Research Councils. RCUK audited the University of Exeter’s processes in summer 2008, and it seems likely that this will be repeated in 2010 or 2011.
All this means that you should complete your TAS form, in accordance with the guidance. The main Time Allocation web page shows links to guidance in the left-hand index box - "TAS - Tools & Guidance". The TAS form itself also has context-relevant help alongside each activity, activated by clicking "[?]". The automatic email system is set to remind you until you complete your form.
The aim of the web-based collection system is to provide a convenient way for staff to submit their TAS data. In addition, it removes the need for paper and double-keying of data. In has now run successfully for 2 years at Exeter and is proving much more efficient than the previous method.
Because PCMD is shared between the universities of Plymouth and Exeter, collection of data is more complex. Although your TAS data are being collected by the University of Exeter, this is by agreement with the University of Plymouth. The data collected are shared between the TRAC departments of both departments as with previous paper-based collections.
The purpose of TRAC is to allocate all costs to Teaching, Research or Other activities. Within TRAC, the function of TAS is to allocate staff costs. Of particular relevance to PCMD staff, your TAS form should be an analysis of the time worked on a university salary. If you also have contracts for work with other bodies, the NHS for example, you should not include this time in your analysis. Where your work is not educational but paid for by a university (UoP or UoE), the TAS forms specifically have a line for clinical services in the Other section.
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