Glossary of Terms

Nonmandatory Transfer of Funds
A movement of resources that arises out of the internal decisions of management. These transfers are not required, but represent the movement of funds among accounts for specific purposes. Additions to loan funds, additions to funds functioning as endowments, general or specific plant additions, prepayments on debt and principal, and additions to departmental funds based on deans' commitments are examples. These may or may not cross funds.
Nonnative Speaker of English
A person for whom the primary language in the home during childhood was not English, and who received all or most of their elementary, secondary, and undergraduate education outside the United States.
Nonqualified (Taxable) Relocation Expenses
Expenses, that, if paid directly or reimbursed by the University, represent taxable income to the employee and will be reported on form W-2 subject to appropriate payroll tax withholding.
Nonreportable
Committed cost sharing or matching/in-kind that must be documented by the department and is not reported to the sponsor.
Notice of Appointment
The record governing employment by the University including salary, dates of employment, and terms. The notice of appointment will constitute the University's contract with an employee. To the extent a letter of agreement contradicts the notice of appointment or University policy, the notice of appointment constitutes the terms of employment. Special contracts authorized by the Office of the General Counsel to supersede the notice of appointment or University policy are the only exception.
Notice of Grant Award (NOGA)
A document that provides information regarding the award's important terms and conditions. It should be referred to by PIs and departments to provide guidance in managing the project.
Notice Period
The time during which an individual P&A employee is aware through written notice that their employment agreement is ending. The appointment ends at the end of the notice period. The notice period may include both paid and unpaid time depending on the term of appointment.
Office of Sponsored Projects Administration (SPA)
Unit responsible for administering sponsored funds and monitoring compliance with the terms of the grant or contract.
Officer of the Day
Role delegated by the President to be responsible and with the authority to implement the Emergency Operations Plan and provide overall policy direction of the University of Minnesota resources during an emergency/disaster situation.  The Officer of the Day (OOD) assesses emergency/disaster situations and makes recommendation on whether to close all or portion(s) of the Twin Cities Campus in the event of an emergency/disaster. The OOD in conjunction with the on-scene Incident Commander determines the emergency level and makes response decisions. 
Official U Bank Account Requirements
All official accounts of the University must be approved, opened and accessible to the University Treasurer and reflect the University's federal tax identification number. The title "Regents of the University of Minnesota must be in the title and the University Treasurer must be listed as an authorized signer. The account may only contain University funds. The account cannot be used for personal gain is subject to all University policies and must remain under the control of the University Treasurer. The Office of Investments & Banking is responsible on behalf of the Treasurer for all University bank accounts.
Official University Business
The identification of University Units; programs and events sponsored by the University; and activities conducted in the ordinary and regular course of business of the University.
Official University Web Site
Web sites representing themselves as presenting information from a department or unit of the University. Often these are pages directly linked to the main web page for the campus, listed in the directory of departments and units, or displaying the University of Minnesota wordmark. This includes sites used primarily by the University for administrative purposes.
Officially cancel
Students must cancel (drop) a class if they have been denied enrollment in that course. Students are responsible for dropping a course to officially remove it from their record and may do so online in the course registration system.
OMB Circular A-110
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-110, Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations. This document establishes uniform regulations for each federal agency to follow regarding the administration of projects sponsored by the federal government. In addition, each federal agency has its own regulations that are listed in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and explained in its policy handbook (if it has one).
OMB Circular A-21
Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21, Principles for Determining Costs Applicable to Grants, Contracts, and Other Agreements with Educational Institutions.

This document is a set of uniform regulations that the University must follow in regards to charging of costs to grants, contracts, and other agreements with educational institutions. Each federal agency implements these regulations in its own policy handbook.

One-On-One Contact
Personal, unsupervised interaction between any program staff and a participant without at least one other program staff, parent or legal guardian being present.
Online Information Collected From Visitors
Any data typed into a web page by a visitor and collected and stored by the web site. For example the web page may have prompts for this information such as "enter your name" or input boxes. This definition does not include routine e-mail links to send comments for site improvement to the webmaster.
Operating Lease
A lease contract that allows the use of an asset, but does not convey rights similar to ownership of the asset. An operating lease is not capitalized.
Operating Unit
Any University department or division under the operational control of a Chancellor, Vice President, Dean, Director, Department Head or Chairperson.
Operational Continuity Plan (Op Con plan)
An effort within individual departments to ensure the continued performance of minimum essential functions during a wide range of potential emergencies. This is accomplished through development of the plans, comprehensive procedures, and provision for alternate facilities, personnel, resources, interoperable communications, and vital records/databases.
Other Family Member
Sons - or daughters-in-law of the employee, spouse, or domestic partner; and grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews, and first cousins of the employee.
Outdoor group seating facilities
Any outdoor seating arrangement whereby people sit in close proximity (shoulder-to-shoulder to one another).
Outdoor Space
Open-air parts of the Twin Cities campus.
Outside Associates
Researchers working for sub-grantees, contractors, or collaborators outside the University who participate in research for which the University has primary responsibility.
Outside Commitment
Outside consulting or other professional commitments, paid or unpaid, that are beyond the scope of the individual's University employment responsibilities.