Welcome to our 2011 Region I Spring Meeting.  The Program Committee has created an outstanding array of sessions and we hope that you take advantage of every opportunity to interact with your NCURA Region 1 colleagues.  The theme for our meeting, "The Sponsored Network:  Connections, Communications, Community," symbolizes the environment in which we work.  It is fitting that the location for our meeting, The Omni New Haven at Yale, is adjacent to "The New Haven Green," a 16 acre commons and a popular gathering place for New Haven residents since 1638.

The evolution of sponsored research from single investigator grant to the multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, projects has required researchers to become more connected to, and dependent on good relationships with collaborators.  With this evolution, Research Administration has also become more complicated, making it essential to interact more frequently and develop closer connections with colleagues.  Our "sponsored network" enables us to share our experiences and expertise, and to learn from each another.  We face many common challenges and solving these problems is easier when we draw upon the experiences of others.

In conclusion, we hope that you will use this meeting as your chance to connect with Region 1 colleagues you don't already know and take advantage of sessions that address not only research administration issues but also other professional skills.  More frequent interactions with our colleagues enable us to share ideas and foster a stronger sense of community.  Your sponsored network will help you to become a better administrator and provide better service to your institution and to its investigators.

Thank you for joining us in New Haven and for your commitment to NCURA Region 1.  We hope that you enjoy the meeting and we look forward to connecting with you.

Patrick Fitzgerald, Harvard University

Estelle Lang, Brown University

Nancy Kendrick, Yale University