The "absolute monarch" of Penn State University

If you want to understand the child molestation case that has rocked Penn State University in full, you need to read PhysioProf’s take on the matter.

Joe Paterno–who has been the head coach for 46 years is the absolute monarch of that program, with absolute power. Regardless of whether he satisfied the bare minimum of legal requirements to report what he knew about the rape of children to his “superiors”–which as absolute monarch at Penn State, he really had none

emphasis added, but not really needed.

Go Read.

Nip this in the bud right friggin now, CSR!

There was a rumor on the Twitts today about a study section experience in which the triage line was severe (35%, yikes)…but that isn’t the bad part. In a 10% or worse payline environment, discussion of the top 35% seems appropriate.

What was absolutely horrifying was the blocking of the usual (IME) rule that any reviewer could lift any application out of triage and insist on discussion.

I believe this to be an absolutely fundamental safety valve to avoid the frequently bemoaned notion that “one biased reviewer torpedoed my grant”.

I myself have found occasion to pull grants up for discussion. I doubt I ever got those particular versions funded but I know for sure of ones that got funded on a subsequent revision. I can’t prove that my pulling it up for discussion led to the favorable outcome for the revision. But I think it safe to assume that if this path is replicated elsewhere in CSR then, statistically, this has an effect.

Don’t get me wrong, one reviewer saves are going to be rare…but what if it were your grant?

BANTER @ SfN: The can't-miss after hours social event

Thanks to Doctor Becca of Fumbling Towards Tenure blog…

A great opportunity to have a chat with some of your favorite online neuroscience peeps.