We would like to highlight the recent announcement by Dean Thompson regarding the sunsetting of the School of Nursing Impact Office. 
Over the past several years, the Impact Office has supported a range of strategic initiatives, service agreements, and project-based work across the School. Effective October 12, 2026, the Impact Office will be retired as a centralized function. While the office itself will no longer exist, the services it provided will continue through established operational and strategic support structures across the School.
Service Agreements
Service agreement support will now be provided through a collaborative model between Finance & Accounting (F&A) and CFPHN and BNHI departments.
Finance & Accounting will provide:
- Budget development and forecasting consultations
- Pre-vetting, formal review, and signature coordination
- Procurement support and customer invoice processing
Departments will provide:
- Employee hiring, costing allocation management, and payroll accounting adjustments
- Initiation of procurement and customer invoicing requests
- Monitoring of project balances and financial activity
- Faculty support through existing departmental processes and resources
Where do I start if I have a service agreement?
If you are considering a new service agreement, renewing an existing agreement, or have questions about whether a project qualifies as a service agreement, your first step should be to contact Finance & Accounting. F&A will provide initial guidance, coordinate the appropriate reviews, and help determine whether additional consultation is needed.
If there is uncertainty regarding whether an activity is a service agreement or a sponsored program, F&A will partner with the Office of Nursing Research & Innovation (ONR&I) to ensure the appropriate review pathway is identified.
What does not change?
Service agreements remain distinct from sponsored programs which should continue to follow the established process for proposal submission through ONR&I.
In some cases, the distinction between a service agreement and a sponsored project is clear. In other situations, additional review may be needed. Early review and determination help ensure that projects are appropriately budgeted, compliant with applicable requirements, and able to move efficiently through the review process.
A Note of Appreciation
Finally, as we transition away from the centralized Impact Office model, we would like to thank Ian Watson and recognize the many contributions made through the Impact Office over the years. Through the support of strategic initiatives, service agreements, operational improvements, and special projects, the office played an important role in advancing the School’s mission and supporting countless faculty and staff along the way.
We would also like to recognize Jessie Rehms for her many contributions to the School of Nursing. During her tenure, she was instrumental in the development and expansion of contract-based research support services, helping build a sustainable model that has supported researchers across the School. Although no longer serving in this role, Jessie continues to contribute her expertise through ad hoc proposal reviews and consultation.
We are grateful for the expertise, partnership, and dedication that have shaped this work and enriched our community. As these functions transition into their new homes across the organization, we thank all those who contributed to their success and look forward to seeing this important work continue in new ways across the School.