Cost-split

[has...@umn.edu]

I need to educate a faculty member on splitting the costs of shared equipment, but I need some advice on best practices and reasonableness first.

We need them to consider project end dates when they are ordering equipment (capital and non-capital) and the costs will be split between projects.

In the past two months, I've had a few charges that included splits on a grant ending 5/31/20.  Nothing in the justification specifically called out that project in a way that made me think if there were no other grants, he'd still have to find a way to buy the equipment just to complete that project.  

What is a reasonable way to split costs for equipment over projects with varying lengths/end dates? 

A starting point could be the initial year of service, since to be considered capital or non-capital equipment, something  has to last at least a year. That doesn't quite feel right though, since some of these grants don't end until 2023, and this is equipment intended to still be in use at that point. 

I know there isn't a one-size fits all answer to this, but would like to hear how others think about it, and what they've discussed with faculty members.

Thanks in advance.

[Heidi Huff]

{Bumping this}  

[march016]

Hi all. I know I’ve heard people ask about this before. I’d be curious to hear what other folks thoughts are on the topic.