Chapter 10 – Administrative Procedures
10.10.10 Business Procedures. The University’s fiscal year is July 1-June 30. Deans or directors concerned shall receive, in advance when possible, a complete set of budget request forms and a letter of instruction from the Budget Office for each of their departments. The Provost and Vice Presidents shall meet to finalize allocations to each division. Final allocations shall be submitted to the Provost and Vice Presidents prior to the start of the fiscal year. Administrative Report September 2015, #21-22-6
10.10.11 After preparation and review by the dean, and/or head of the department, one copy shall be submitted to the Budget Office. Budget review meetings of the deans, the President, and the Vice President for Administration and Finance may be called for beforehand.
10.10.12 Before the fiscal year begins, when possible, formal notices of the subsequent year’s budget allocations shall be made directly to deans, and/or division heads, for distribution to their department chairpersons and directors. #21-22-6
10.10.13 Any request for expenditures that exceeds the existing balance of available funds in a particular account shall not be processed without the identification of source of funds. Request for budget allocation transfers shall be prepared on a form obtainable from the Budget Office and shall be subject to approval in accordance with existing policy.
10.10.14 All money received by a department for the University shall be deposited in the Office of Enrollment Services promptly — within three business days after the date of receipt. A university deposit slip, in duplicate, filled in completely, including chartfield and tender, shall accompany the deposit. Administrative Report September 2015
10.10.15 All payments from a special University fund shall be made by the Accounting Office. Invoice Voucher Forms should only be utilized in situations where competitive pricing is not an issue or is specifically exempted by statute or regulation. See invoice voucher instructions for types of allowable items. Invoice vouchers must be approved by an authorized signatory, including chartfield string, vendor, and purpose. Invoice vouchers and invoices shall be sent to the Accounting Office for payment. Administrative Report September 2015, #21-22-6
10.11.10 Requisitions. A University online requisition shall be prepared in advance for all purchases chargeable to departmental funds. This includes both external vendors and internal vendors. The requisition shall indicate the chartfield to be charged, an estimated cost of materials/services, and a category code number. On-line requisitions will electronically route to the responsible person(s) based on the chartfield string(s) and signature authorization. Administrative Report September 2015
10.11.11 Exceptions to the above purchasing procedures, in case of necessity, shall be made only upon the approval of the Controller.
10.12.10 Interdepartmental Services. Shop work orders for repairs to be performed by the University Maintenance Department shall be prepared in accordance with instructions contained in the Physical Plant Information Manual.
10.12.11 Interdepartmental online requisitions shall be prepared for materials and services requested of one department by another. Administrative Report September 2015
10.12.12 Interdepartmental charges shall be reported on a standard credit statement form to the Accounting Office by all departments supplying materials or services to other University departments. These charges shall be submitted monthly and the credit statement shall show the college requisition number.
10.12.13 It shall be the responsibility of the Controller’s Office of Accounts Receivable to prepare billing invoices for materials and services supplied by University departments to outside agencies. All departments supplying materials and services to agencies outside the University shall report items to be billed monthly to the Controller’s Office of Accounts Receivable on a URI Invoice form. Sales tickets or other evidence that the material has been supplied or services have been performed shall be attached to the credit statement. Administrative Report September 2015
10.13.10 Sales to Students. The University Bookstores shall be operated for the sale of all apparatus, books and other instructional materials. If it is necessary for faculty members to provide their students with materials not available through usual trade channels, agreement shall be reached with the Bookstore Manager for distribution through the Bookstores. #21-22-6
10.15.10 Financial Policies administered by the Controller shall be distributed widely and posted on the Controller’s website. Policies with regard to sponsored and cost accounting shall also be included. Administrative Report September 2015
10.20.10 Payroll Procedure. Salary payments shall be made to new employees after an approved personnel appointment form has been submitted to the Human Resources Office and all other payroll forms, such as withholding statements, retirement membership, group life insurance and health insurance have been properly completed. New employees may expect salary checks at the end of the third week of their employment if all forms have been properly completed and submitted to the Human Resources Office at least ten days prior to the effective date of their employment. #21-22-6
10.20.11 Payroll deductions shall be made for withholding taxes, Social Security taxes, contributions to the State Employees’ Retirement System, TIAA-CREF and voluntary deductions for hospitalization and medical plans, group life insurance, credit union loan repayments or savings deposits, and purchase of government savings bonds.
10.20.12 The normal contract year shall coincide with the fiscal year of the University, beginning July 1 and ending June 30.
10.20.13 New faculty members may normally expect their first payroll check within two weeks after the beginning of the academic year, and payments shall be made biweekly thereafter. Before the first of November faculty members whose initial appointment is on an academic year basis shall receive separate checks covering the period from July 1 to the beginning of the pay period covered by their first payroll checks. Administrative Report September 2015, #21-22-6
10.20.14 A faculty member on an academic year basis who resigns after July 1 and prior to the beginning of the fall semester shall reimburse the University for the total amount of all salary checks received for the period after July 1.
10.20.15 The bi-weekly salary payments are made on Fridays. Ordinarily there will be 26 such Fridays in the fiscal year.
10.20.16 Employee absences due to sickness, vacation, or leave without pay shall be recorded on URI Attendance Reports.
10.21.10 Student Employment. It is the policy of the University to provide employment opportunities for eligible students. For Student Employment Policy see Appendix G.
10.21.20 Student Payroll. Data concerning hours worked by student employees shall be entered and authorized electronically through the time and attendance system on a biweekly basis. Student Employment Periods are generally from September 1 through May 30 (academic year) and June 1 through August 31 (summer). Actual employment dates are more closely defined by Student Enrollment Service’s academic calendars. Administrative Report September 2015
10.22.10 Rhode Island Credit Union. All employees of the University shall be eligible for membership in the Rhode Island Credit Union. The Human Resources Office shall provide the necessary forms and accept memberships from the Credit Union or help provide necessary information.
10.30.10 Authorization for Faculty and Administrative Staff Travel. Prior approval for travel within the state, except when in-state travel is normal in connection with a person’s regular duties, shall be obtained from the appropriate department chairperson, dean, or director.
10.30.11 Prior approval for travel outside the state shall be obtained from the appropriate dean or head of the division. Deans and/or heads of divisions shall see that authorization for travel does not exceed budget allocations. This approval is applicable to all travel regardless of source of funds.
10.31.10 Reimbursement for Travel. Requests for reimbursement of travel expenses shall be prepared on a URI Travel Authorization Request form and must have the approval of the dean of the college and/or the head of the department or division concerned. Instructions to all travel procedures and current reimbursement rates can be found at the Controller’s web site.
10.33.10 University-Sponsored Educational Field Trips. The deans of the several colleges shall furnish information pertinent to field trips to the Vice President for Administration and Finance for use in arranging vehicle rental service.
10.33.11 Costs for field trips shall be charged to department budgets or, by assessment, to students taking the trips (as decided by departments or colleges).
10.33.12 A member of the faculty or administrative staff or other duly authorized representatives of the University shall accompany students on all authorized class or student activity trips, except for trips sponsored with Student Activities approval for recreational purposes only. A duly authorized representative is a student, faculty or staff member who is given written authorization by a faculty or staff member of the university to accompany a class on all authorized class trips. Students may receive authorization to travel separately from their class or team if they sign a waiver form releasing the University from all liability and claims of every kind and nature arising from or incidental to said separate travel. #21-22-6
10.40.10 University of Rhode Island Intellectual Property Policy. This policy consists of the following sub-segments: I. General Principles (10.41.10 – 10.41.15); II. General Intellectual Property Policy (10.42.10 – 10.42.15); III. Patent Intellectual Property Policy (10.43.10 – 10.43.40); IV. Copyright Intellectual Property Policy (10.44.10 – 10.44.18); V. Trademark Intellectual Property Policy (10.45.10 – 10.45.16); and VI. Definitions (10.46.10 – 10.46.36). The policy, superseding earlier Intellectual Property policies, was approved by the Faculty Senate on March 22, 2012, by the President on May 1, 2012, and by the Rhode Island Board of Education on April 8, 2013. #11-12–17
10.41.10 General Principles (10.41.11 – 10.41.15).
10.41.11 The University of Rhode Island (hereinafter “Institution”) encourages and promotes research and scholarship based on the traditional principles of the academic profession. Some discoveries, advancements, and innovative approaches may have the potential to be further developed into products or services that have utility beyond the Institution and that may positively impact the economy of Rhode Island. Through this Policy, the Institution seeks to define and execute a synergistic model of education, research, service, innovation, commercialization, and economic development and to apply this model to help solve significant problems of a complex world.
10.41.12 The primary purposes of this Policy are to: (1.) Provide clear guidelines for all parties involved in the creation, development, management, protection, commercialization, licensing and dissemination of intellectual property; (2.) Provide for an effective, efficient process to achieve positive outcomes for creators, Colleges, Institution, and society; (3.) Recognize, respect, and effectively manage all interests that may emerge from discoveries that have commercial or other valued outcomes and provide guidance for intellectual property protection and commercial development; (4.) Bring technology into practical use for the public benefit as quickly and effectively as possible, in a manner consistent with applicable law and policy; (5.) Facilitate the creation of appropriate public-private partnerships in order to achieve commercialization, utilization, and economic development; (6.) Encourage a broad array of mutually beneficial relationships with organizations outside the Institution to further develop discoveries made at the Institution, including: collaborative research; licensing of Intellectual Property (IP); and the establishment of companies and other entities specifically formed to commercialize IP created at the Institution; (7.) Develop a process to work integrally with the URI Research Foundation (referred to as URIRF) for the marketing and commercialization of Institution inventions and innovations and for fostering economic development in the State of Rhode Island.
10.41.13 This Policy governs unless a specific policy or agreement provides otherwise.
10.41.14 This Policy shall be administered in accordance with, and subject to, policies of the Institution concerning IP and its requirement under the Bayh-Dole Act and Federal and State Conflicts of Interest (COI), academic misconduct and other applicable laws and regulations.
10.41.15 Any Creator of a Copyrightable Work, Invention, Trade Secret, Trademark, Tangible Research Property, or other IP should contact the Institution Office of Intellectual Property and Economic Development (IPED). #21-22-43
10.42.10 General Intellectual Property Policy (10.42.11 – 10.42.15).
10.42.11 The Institution strongly encourages its faculty, staff, and others associated with the Institution to pursue formal protection and/or commercialization of all IP as a method of bringing recognition and/or remuneration to the Creators and the Institution.
10.42.12 Intellectual Property may arise from the development of a new and useful process, device or apparatus, article of manufacture, design, composition of matter (including, but not limited to, a chemical compound, microorganism, nucleotide sequence, amino acid sequence, equipment, device, genetically engineered organism, and the like), plant, or related improvement, or a new use for a known material or device or related improvement. This class of IP will be considered as Patent IP, which includes patent applications and Plant Variety Protection. In addition, other intellectual property under the Copyright IP may include written material, spoken description, sketches, musical scores, sculptures, and paintings. Software code will be considered under Copyright IP and/or Patent IP. Trademarks will be considered separately under Trademarks IP. Any individual who is uncertain should contact the IPED Office and request guidance. #21-22-43
10.42.13 Except as set forth herein, all rights to and interests in any IP resulting from research or investigation conducted in the course of the Creator’s employment with the Institution (including, but not limited to, the performance of a grant, contract, or award made internally, by an extramural agency, or by a third party) or with the Creator’s Significant Uses of the Institution’s Resources shall be the sole and exclusive property of the URI Board of Trustees and its designee, unless specified otherwise by a prior written agreement. Unless approved by the Vice President for the Division of Research and Economic Development (DRED), no other person or entity shall have joint or shared rights of ownership or interest in such IP. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.42.14 The Creator will provide any and all required declarations, assignments, and other documents in the course of processing IP.
10.42.15 Unless otherwise provided by law or a prior written agreement, this Policy applies to any IP made by the Institution’s faculty, staff, students, trainees, volunteers or others if such IP is the result of: (1.) Any IP developed by or under the direction of any faculty, staff, or student, the cost of which was partially or wholly paid for with funds under the control of or administered by the Institution; and/or (2.) Any IP developed by the faculty, staff, students, trainees, volunteers, or others utilizing the Institution’s facilities, laboratories, or other resources available to such faculty, staff, students, trainees, volunteers or others because of their status within the Institution.
10.43.10 Patent Intellectual Property Policy (10.43.11 – 10.43.40)
10.43.11 Patent IP is defined as Intellectual Property arising from the development of a new and useful process, device or apparatus, article of manufacture, design, composition of matter (including, but not limited to, a chemical compound, microorganism, nucleotide sequence, amino acid sequence, equipment, device, genetically engineered organism, and the like), plant, or related improvement, or a new use for a known material or device or related improvement, or a new use for a known material or device. Patent IP will include a patent application and Plant Variety Protection. A Creator of Patent IP will be considered an Inventor under the Patent IP Policy.
10.43.12 Patent IP conceived or developed in the furtherance of research or investigation conducted by the Institution’s faculty, staff, students, trainees, volunteers, or others mentioned in 10.42.15, shall be promptly disclosed in writing to the IPED Office. After consultation with the IPED Office, the Inventor may be asked to complete and file an Invention Disclosure form provided by the IPED Office. #21-22-43
10.43.13 All rights to and interests in any Patent IP arising in the course of research or investigation sponsored by the Institution, any government or private agency, or other sponsored research are controlled by the terms of the applicable IP agreement, which must be reviewed, negotiated, and approved by the IPED Office. In the absence of provisions to the contrary contained in any such research or investigation agreement or under federal law or regulations, the following shall apply (10.43.14 – 10.43.17):
10.43.14 The Inventor has the right to: (i.) Receive notice of the Institution’s intention to protect Patent IP or otherwise to retain title to the IP after the IP Disclosure is made to the Institution within six (6) months or as otherwise prescribed by laws; (ii.) Receive a share of any Licensing Revenue, such as licensing fees or royalties, received by the Institution from the commercialization of the Invention according to the appropriate Distribution Schedule contained in 10.43.18; and (iii.) Receive from the Institution title to any Patent IP subject to this Policy in the event the Institution elects not to retain the same.
10.43.15 The Inventor is required to: (i.) Promptly file an IP Disclosure including the name of any co-Inventor; (ii.) Assign ownership of the Patent IP to the URI Board of Trustees and its designee; (iii.) Cooperate to the extent necessary as determined by the Institution in the reasonable delay of publication to allow for a timely submission of a patent application; (iv.) Cooperate in protecting any Patent IP; (v.) Participate in the defense of such patents during prosecution for interference or infringement; and (vi.) Assist with licensing or marketing efforts related to the Patent IP. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.43.16 The URI Board of Trustees and its designee has the right to: (i.) Assign its rights to the Inventor, up to and including full ownership, in any Patent IP subject to this Policy to which the URI Board of Trustees and its designee choose not to retain title; (ii.) Assign at any time by the President, or designee, the rights or interests of any Patent IP owned by the URI Board of Trustees and its designee to an Affiliated Foundation whereby the URIRF is the sole Affiliated Foundation recognized to receive Patent IP; or (iii.) Retain non-commercial research rights to any Patent IP developed by the Institution. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.43.17 The Institution is obligated to: (i.) Provide adequate resources to fulfill and meet the obligations in the Patent IP Policy and comply with the Bayh-Dole Act and other applicable laws; (ii.) Make faculty, staff, students, trainees, volunteers or others aware of the Patent IP Policy and of any ongoing agreements with external sources to evaluate and/or market such IP; (iii.) Determine, after the IP Disclosure is filed, whether the Institution chooses to retain title and to protect the Patent IP and give notice of Institution’s intention to protect the Patent IP to the Inventor within six (6) months or as otherwise prescribed by laws; (iv.) Expedite formal Patent IP protection procedures; and (v.) Distribute Licensing Revenue received by the Institution for any Patent IP according to the appropriate Distribution Schedule contained herein.
10.43.18 The distribution of royalties and other licensing revenue, such as licensing fees, milestone payments or equity, received by the Institution or URIRF for exclusive licenses or assignments shall be distributed according to the following considerations. There are numerous interests involved in connection with research and innovation performed at the Institution, including the researcher and Inventor; the Institution; the general public whose taxes and gifts support the Institution; and outside entities that provide support. Subject to restrictions arising from obligations of the Institution or URIRF pursuant to gifts, grants, contracts, or other agreements with outside organizations, the Institution or URIRF agrees, for and in consideration of the licensing or assignment of Patent IP rights, to pay Cumulative Net Royalties according to the Distribution Schedule below for Patent IP licensed or assigned by the Institution or URIRF.
Patent IP Distribution Schedule
|
Cumulative Net Royalties
|
Inventor
|
College
|
URIRF
|
| $25,000 or less | 40% | 30% | 30% |
| Above $25,000 | 35% | 32.5% | 32.5% |
When there are two or more Inventors, each Inventor shall share equally in the Inventor’s share of Cumulative Net Royalties, unless all Inventors have agreed in writing to a different distribution of such share. Likewise, where there are two or more Colleges involved, each College shall share equally unless otherwise agreed in writing. The VP DRED shall have final authority in resolving disputes between Inventors and Colleges as to the sharing of royalties between them.
10.43.19 Cumulative Net Royalties received by the URIRF and the Colleges must be used to support research and to further the development, commercialization and/or protection of any IP. To this end, the Institution shall reward its employees for creating Patent IP and participating in commercialization activities, assist faculty and staff in the commercialization of their products, support related programs, support additional research in the laboratories and programs that generated the Patent IP, and support the protection of new discoveries.
10.43.20 The Inventor obligations under section 10.43.15 and Institution obligations under section 10.43.17 do not terminate upon separation of employment from the Institution.
10.43.21 Intellectual Property Protection Procedure. Unless otherwise indicated, the VP DRED, or designee, is responsible for the administration of this Policy. The IPED Office is responsible for the administration of the Patent Protection Procedure, the oversight of financial rights, negotiations and for management of Patent IP records. This Patent Protection Procedure serves as a guide to the Institution community in meeting the disclosure and reporting requirements of the Institution, URI Board of Trustees, and cooperating agencies. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report, #21-22-43
10.43.22 Intellectual Property Agreement Review. Prior to executing any contract that binds the Institution or one or more Inventors with regards to Patent IP, such contract will be submitted to the IPED Office, which may consult with the Institution General Counsel, to ascertain that IP clauses in sponsored projects are acceptable to the principal investigator and the Institution and are consistent with policies of the URI Board of Trustees, and if appropriate, with federal law. Such agreements include confidentiality, non-disclosure, material transaction, consulting, and like agreements containing provisions for proprietary information and contractor sponsored research or development, licensing, or like agreements containing provisions for any Patent IP. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report, #21-22-43
10.43.23 Documentation and Tracking. Inventors are responsible for recording and maintaining the discovery records of all potentially patentable discoveries derived through Institution activity. Subject to America Invents Act effective March 16, 2013, bound, dated, witnessed documentation is the encouraged method for maintaining such records. Inventors shall discuss with the IPED Office the proper method for maintaining records.
10.43.24 Intellectual Property Disclosure. An Inventor shall meet with the IPED Office and disclose the actual or prospective Patent IP at the earliest possible time after its creation. After consultation with IPED Office, the Inventor may be asked to complete and submit an Invention Disclosure describing the Invention. In the case of Inventions, the Inventor is encouraged to submit an IP Disclosure to the Institution at least ninety (90) days prior to any enabling Public Disclosure. An Invention Disclosure should be made on a form provided by the IPED Office or prepared in conjunction with the IPED Office. If the Invention Disclosure is deemed adequate, the IPED Office will assign a unique Institution identifier. The IPED Office will have sole discretion to determine whether the IP Disclosure is sufficient. If not on file, the Inventor shall assign ownership rights to the URI Board of Trustees and its designee. Upon receipt of an Invention Disclosure, the IPED Office will notify within a reasonable period of time, if necessary, the appropriate federal agency providing grant support of the Disclosure, in compliance with 37 CFR Part 401 and 35 U.S.C. sections 200-212. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report, #21-22-43
10.43.25 IPED Office Evaluation. The IPED Office will review each Invention Disclosure before committing Institution resources or other funds in the pursuit of a patent, protection of a trade secret, protection of copyright or any other form of protection of any IP. Such an evaluation should consider all aspects of any IP, prior art search and assessment, market potential, prospective licensees, financial return, obligations to sponsoring parties, and other factors impacting the investment of time and funds to complete the IP protection process. This review may entail the commissioning of market, patentability, or similar studies at the sole discretion of the IPED Office. Upon review, the IPED Office will advance Invention Disclosure to the IP Committee for review, unless additional research or investigation is required. #21-22-43
10.43.26 Intellectual Property Committee Review. The IP Committee (IPC) will review the Patent IP with the Inventor and make one of three recommendations. If necessary, the IPC will prioritize the filing patent applications in the case of an Invention. The three recommendations are: accept to protect IP; provisional acceptance pending additional work or review of prior art; or return rights to the Inventor.
10.43.27 Notification of the College. The recommendation of the IPC will be submitted to the Dean of the Inventor College for review. The Dean may agree with the recommendation or disagree with the recommendation. If the Dean disagrees with the recommendation to protect the Patent IP, then the URIRF may pay for all the Patent IP costs and the Colleges will not receive any royalty distribution. If the Dean disagrees with returning the IP rights to the Inventor, then the College may be responsible for all IP costs, unless the URIRF agrees to share 50% of the IP costs with the College. In the case where the College pays all patent costs, it will receive the URIRF Cumulative Net Royalties share.
10.43.28 Final approval by the VP DRED. Upon determination that the Institution will not pursue protection of IP, and no later than six (6) months after receipt of the Invention Disclosure, all rights in the IP will be returned to the Inventor. The Institution shall execute one or more assignments to the Inventor to effect this reversion.
10.43.29 Patent IP Application. Upon approval by the Institution to pursue protection of an Invention, the IPED Office will: (i.) Notify, if necessary, the appropriate federal agency of the Institution’s desire to retain title to the invention; (ii.) Work with Inventor to file a patent application or Plant Variety Protection Act (PVP) under the US Dept. of Agriculture on the Invention; and (iii.) File a patent application either directly or with an external service provider within the appropriate period.
10.43.30 Intellectual Property Costs. The Institution shall be responsible to pay an annual amount toward the total annual cost of Patent IP protection and maintenance. For Patent IP costs greater than the Institution’s annual allocation, URIRF and the Colleges will equally share the costs for the year as follows. In a fiscal year, Colleges having 5 or more patent applications in prosecution or issued patents will pay at a rate of 1 unit. Colleges having 1-4 patent applications in prosecution or issued patents will pay at a rate of 0.2 unit. The College’s share for the fiscal year will be determined by dividing a College’s unit by the sum of all units in that year times one-half of the unpaid Patent IP costs. #21-22-6
10.43.31 Documentation. As necessary to protect the interests of the Inventor and the Institution, and as allowed by law, the records supporting IP protection and appropriate documents with any commercialization organization will be maintained as confidential. The official IP file shall contain the following items, if applicable: (i.) Documentation identifying the sources of funds used to cover costs; (ii.) The costs of Patent IP protection and maintenance (in the event that a third party reimbursed for prosecution or related IP costs, the Institution’s costs will be reduced accordingly); (iii.) Contract or grant terms and conditions under which the IP was conceived or developed; (iv.) Initial records of invention (i.e. notebook references, drawings, sketches, etc.) and formal records of invention required by sponsors; (v.) IP Disclosure documents submitted by the Inventor; (vi.) Assignments and other agreements relating to the transfer of ownership; (vii.) Documentation of the recommendation of the IPC and the written notice by the VP DRED to either protect the Patent IP rights or to return the Patent IP rights to the Inventor and the cost of Patent IP protection; (ix.) Patent IP application(s), as filed; (x.) Any agreements related to the licensing of the Patent IP rights; (xi.) Issued or registered Patent IP rights; (xii.) Licenses, equity positions, or other commercialization documents or agreements that specify the financial returns to the Institution or URIRF; (xiii.) Documentation reflecting abandonment of any Patent IP by the Institution, as well as any agreements transferring title back to the Inventor.
10.43.32 Commercialization. Upon the decision to pursue commercialization of Patent IP, the IPED Office or URIRF shall outline a commercialization plan in cooperation with the Inventor. The commercialization may include licensing to a company including licensing to a company started by the Inventor. #21-22-43
10.43.33 Intellectual Property Assignment and/or Licensing (10.43.33-36). At any time subsequent to the disclosure of Patent IP to the URI Board of Trustees or its designee, the rights, title and/or interest therein may be licensed or assigned to one or more third parties. In the case of assignments, only the President of the Institution, or a designee, may sign appropriate documentation affecting the same. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.43.34 The Institution authorizes the IPED Office to establish a means of administering and managing the Institution’s Patent IP assets that (1) expedite their commercialization, (2) provide means for the defense of Patent IP, (3) maintain the secrecy of Patent IP when necessary, and (4) provide financial returns to the Inventor and the Institution. For commercialization of Patent IP not assigned to URIRF, the IPED Office will be responsible for negotiating and approving all agreements relating to the assignment of Patent IP rights. Authority to sign licensing or like agreements on behalf of the Institution shall be vested in the IPED Officer and the VP DRED, and their designees.
10.43.35 At its sole discretion, the URI Board of Trustees or its designee may assign or transfer ownership rights in Patent IP to the URIRF, in which case URIRF will assume obligations under 10.43.10 – 10.43.40, as appropriate, and provide timely documentation to the Institution in addition to complying with any formal agreement between the Institution and the URIRF. (A.) The URIRF may request that the URI Board of Trustees or its designee transfer specific Patent IP rights for patenting and commercialization activities. Such a request should be in writing and made to the IPED Office. (B.) When appropriate, the Institution and URIRF will have confidentiality agreements to cover the exchange of information. (C.) If the Patent IP was supported directly or indirectly by a federal agency, prior to assignment the Institution will obtain documents showing that the Patent IP has been assigned to the URI Board of Trustees or its designee by the Inventor and the Institution has disclosed and elected to retain title therein to the supporting agency. (D.) If URIRF funds commercialization, product development, and/or research at the Institution for the advancement of Patent IP, the Institution shall not charge any indirect cost rate unless agreed otherwise. (E). Upon transfer of Patent IP to an URIRF, the Institution will provide copies of all Patent IP documents to the URIRF, including original file wrappers, agreements, and related documents. (F). When the URI Board of Trustees or its designee has transferred Patent IP to an URIRF, subject to restrictions arising from obligations of the Institution pursuant to gifts, grants, contracts, or other agreements with outside organizations, URIRF will, for and in consideration of the assignment of Patent IP rights, pay Cumulative Net Royalties under the Distribution Schedule given in 10.43.18. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.43.36 It is the responsibility of the employee and College to provide the IPED Office or URIRF with any and all relevant IP agreements, which include consulting, confidentiality, material transaction (MTA), licensing and research agreements, to ensure that the terms of the agreement with third parties do not conflict with their commitment to the Institution. Each employee shall make the nature of the employee’s obligations to the Institution clear to any third party for whom the employee expects to consult. Specifically, the scope of the consulting service must be distinguished from the scope of research commitment to the Institution. This subsection shall comply with and be subject to any Federal, State or Institutional laws or policies regarding Conflict of Interest. #21-22-43
10.43.37 Formation of New Company with Inventor as an Owner. After transferring rights to the URIRF, the URIRF may license or assign, if the assignment has been transferred, the IP rights to the New Company owned by the Inventor in exchange for licensing fees and royalty or an equity share in the New Company. (i.) The Inventor will be required to undergo a Conflict of Interest evaluation by the Institution and, if necessary, receive approval by the URI Board of Trustees. (ii.) In the case where URIRF has an equity share in the New Company, URIRF’s shares will be at least 10% unless agreed otherwise. (iii). The Inventor will be allowed to choose between an equity ownership of the Company or a Distribution Share of the Cumulative Net Royalties received from the New Company but not both. In the event that the Inventor forgoes receiving a Distribution Share of the Cumulative Net Royalties, URIRF and the College will receive 50% of Cumulative Net Royalties. #21-22-6 #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.43.38 Cumulative Net Royalties Distribution. Unless assigned to an URIRF, the IPED Office will be responsible for the collection of all Licensing Revenue and the payment of all Costs of Patent IP Protection and the distribution of Cumulative Net Royalties under section 10.43.18 upon approval by the VP DRED. In the case of IP assigned to URIRF, URIRF will distribute Cumulative Net Royalties as set forth in section 10.43.18. Documentation of the distribution of licensing revenue to the Inventor, Institution, any cooperating agencies, and other parties will be provided upon request by the IPED Office or URIRF. #21-22-6, #21-22-43
10.43.39 Intellectual Property Documents. The IPED Office shall maintain a filing and storage system for all original Patent IP documents and any and all IP agreements that are consistent with the Institution’s record retention policy. #21-22-6, #21-22-43
10.43.40 URIRF may not enter into an agreement to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any ownership rights in Patent IP to any third party without the express, written permission of the President of the Institution or the URI Board of Trustees, unless IP rights have been transferred to URIRF. Any request for such permission shall include, at a minimum, a comprehensive description of the asset to be transferred, the identity of the proposed transferee, a statement of the purpose of the proposed transaction, and a statement of the benefit to the Institution to be derived from the proposed transaction. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.10 Copyright Intellectual Property Policy (10.44.11 – 10.44.18).
10.44.11 Except as otherwise explicitly provided under this Policy or a Copyright Agreement, an employee who creates a Work shall be deemed to acquire copyright ownership of the Work, unless Significant Use of Institutional Resources is made. Under the Copyright IP Policy, Works may include written material, software, code-spoken description, sketches, musical scores, sculptures, and paintings and a Creator of the Work will be considered an Author. In keeping with this Policy and with academic custom, except as otherwise provided under this Policy, the Institution shall forever disclaim its copyright ownership in a Work for Hire in favor of the Author, and when deemed necessary, the URI Board of Trustees or its designee shall execute one or more assignments conveying such copyright ownership to such Author. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.12 Copyright ownership of Work developed as a result of Work supported partially or fully by an outside agency through a contract or grant shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the contract or grant. In those cases in which copyright ownership is vested in the URI Board of Trustees or its designee, the Institution shall have the first option to secure copyright in the name of the Institution. Should the Institution decide, in writing, not to secure copyright, the employee then may proceed to personally secure the copyright. The URI Board of Trustees or its designee shall then execute one or more assignments conveying such copyright ownership to such Author. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.13 Self-initiated Mediated Courseware. When an employee develops Mediated Courseware without specific direction by the Institution, unless otherwise agreed, the ownership of copyright in the Mediated Courseware shall be deemed to vest in the employee. In the case that such Mediated Courseware is a Work for Hire by a third party, the Institution shall forever disclaim its copyright ownership in favor of the Author, and when necessary, the URI Board of Trustees or its designee shall execute one or more assignments conveying such copyright ownership to such Author. Normally, no royalty, rent, or other consideration shall be paid to the employee when that Mediated Courseware is used for instruction at the Institution and such Mediated Courseware shall not be used or modified without the consent of the employee. While the Author is employed by the Institution, the Mediated Courseware shall not be sold, leased, rented or otherwise used in a manner that competes in a substantial way with the for-credit offering of the Institution unless approved by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Institution. The Institution shall have a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free right to use such courseware for archival research purposes. In the event that Significant Use of Institution Resources are used to develop or improve Mediated Courseware, the Author shall be required to obtain approval to use the Mediated Courseware outside of the Institution and the provisions of section 10.44.12 of this Policy shall apply. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.14 Institution-directed Mediated Courseware. When the Institution directs in a written employment contract or Copyright Agreement the creation of specific Mediated Courseware, copyright in the resulting Mediated Courseware belongs to the URI Board of Trustees or its designee and the Institution shall have the exclusive right to revise it and decide who will utilize the Mediated Courseware in instruction. Pursuant to this subsection, insofar as the Mediated Courseware is a Work for Hire, the URI Board of Trustees or its designee shall retain copyright ownership. Development of Institution-directed Mediated Courseware shall be reported to appropriate administrator(s) at the Institution. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.15 Unless otherwise specified by this Policy, the Licensing Revenue received in excess of $10,000 as a result of copyright ownership by the URI Board of Trustees or its designee will be disbursed as follows; 60% to the Author, 20% to the College and 20% to URIRF. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.16 When the Author creates a Work involving Significant Use of Institutional Resources and if the Licensing Revenue is in excess of $10,000, the following steps should be followed to determine Copyright Ownership between the Author and the URI Board of Trustees or its designee: (1.) The Author will initiate the process by delivering a copy of the Work and complete and submit the completed Intellectual Property Disclosure to the IPMAC Office. (2.) The IPC will make a recommendation regarding Copyright ownership to VP DRED. (3.) If the URI Board of Trustees or its designee has Copyright ownership, then a Copyright Agreement will be entered into between the Author and the VP DRED on behalf of the Institution or URIRF. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.17 Only if requested, shall the Institution be responsible for copyright registration of Work owned by the URI Board of Trustees or its designee, and for administering contracts with its Author, including the responsibilities associated with maintaining records for copyright registration, royalty collection and distribution, marketing, and such other actions as are appropriate. The Institution and the Author shall cooperate in the pursuit of copyright protection. In all other cases, the Author will assume the responsibilities associated with maintaining records for copyright registration, royalty collection, marketing, and such other actions as are appropriate. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.44.18 Thesis and Dissertation Copyright Ownership. The rights in copyright for theses and dissertations produced as part of a University degree requirement shall belong to the student preparing the material. A student must, as a condition of the award of any degree, grant a royalty-free license or permission to the University and any outside sponsor, if appropriate, to reproduce, publicly distribute on a non-commercial basis, copies of student project reports, theses, or dissertations which would include any software developed as a part of the student project. #15-16-1
10.45.10 Trademark Intellectual Property Policy (10.45.11 – 10.45.16)
10.45.11 The URIRF or the URI Board of Trustees or its designee shall be listed as the owner of any trademark or service mark for which an application for registration is filed, unless an agreement is to the contrary. Trademarks and service marks shall be filed, prosecuted, registered, and maintained by the Institution at the Institution’s expense. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.45.12 The URIRF’s or the Institution’s preference will be to secure federal trademark and service mark registrations, but the Institution reserves the right to secure one or more state registrations.
10.45.13 The URIRF or the URI Board of Trustees or its designee may license to a third-party rights in one or more trademarks or service marks owned by the Board of Education or its designee. Any such license must at minimum reserve to the URIRF or the Institution, the express right to monitor and supervise the use of the mark by the licensee. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.45.14 Trademarks developed by faculty, students, staff or others of the Institution shall, where practicable, be treated in the same manner as other forms of IP. In order to be recognized as a Creator of a trademark, one or more faculty members, students, or staff or others must submit a written statement of creation to the IPED Office, preferably before the mark is first used by the Institution but no later than six (6) months after an application to register the mark is filed by the Institution. A statement of creation must set forth the identity and contact information of each Creator, a detailed description of the mark, the circumstances of the creation, and the goods and/or services of the Institution to which the mark applies or could apply. A separate statement must be submitted for each mark. #21-22-43
10.45.15 Revenue generated through commercialization of goods or services, including technology, under one or more trademarks owned by the URI Board of Trustees or its designee that is attributable solely to such trademark(s), such as trademark licensing fees and royalties, shall be deemed Cumulative Net Royalties and distributed under the Copyright Intellectual Property Policy, 10.44.15, for purposes of this Policy. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.45.16 In no instance, and regardless of ownership, may the Institution’s Trademarks or identity be used, expressly or impliedly, in connection with the endorsement of any Trademark IP. For purposes of this subsection, “identity” shall include full or partial names or identifiers, physical addresses, Internet or web addresses, trademarks, service marks, logos, emblems or seals. Assignments, license agreements, and other transfers of rights or ownership in any Trademark IP to third parties shall include this limitation.
10.46.10 Definitions. Sections 10.46.11 – 10.46.36 contain definitions/explanations of many terms used in the preceding Intellectual Policy segments. The terms are arranged in alphabetical order.
10.46.11 “Affiliated Foundation”: An Affiliated Foundation is a third party organized as a nonprofit entity as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that has as one of its primary functions the management of Institution IP and that receives Licensing Revenue and gifts, and supports or promotes the Institution or Institution research under 37 CFR Part 401 and 35 U.S.C. sections 200-212. URI Research Foundation (referred to as “URIRF”) is the sole Affiliated Foundation, unless deemed otherwise by the URI Board of Trustees or its designee. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.46.12 “Author”: A person who creates a Copyrightable Work.
10.46.13 “Copyright Agreement”: A written and signed agreement between the Author and the Institution that explicitly defines: the ownership of the Copyrightable Work, any control rights in cases of Mediated Courseware, any reimbursement for Significant Use of Institutional Resources, and/or the sharing of royalties.
10.46.14 “Copyrightable Work” or “Work”: An original Work by an Author which has been fixed in a tangible medium of expression from which it can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, journals, software, computer programs (including source code), musical Work, dramatic Work, videos, multimedia products, sound recordings, pictorial and graphical Work, etc. Any Copyrightable Work that is also an Invention shall be governed by the Patent Intellectual Property Policy. A Work may be the product of a single Author or a group of Authors who have collaborated on a project. See also Intellectual Property.
10.46.15 “Costs of IP Protection”: The expenses incurred by the Institution in conducting the research and in procuring, protecting, preserving, maintaining, and licensing IP and related rights. This includes the costs of securing patent, copyright, or trademark protection in the United States and any foreign jurisdiction.
10.46.16 “Creator”: A person who contributes to the development of IP at the Institution in a significant manner and who under this Policy is entitled to the distribution of proceeds from commercialization. For purposes of this Policy, wherever practicable, Creator shall be deemed to include the estate of any deceased person.
10.46.17 “Cumulative Net Royalties”: The cumulative lifetime gross revenues obtained from royalties, licensing or assignment fees, and/or the proceeds from the sale of equity, and/or the direct proceeds from the Institution’s practicing its own IP, less the expenses incurred by the Institution in procuring, protecting, preserving, and maintaining IP rights, including legal fees associated with the IP, fees for patentability searches, fees arising out of litigation, fees for legal advice, or any fees or costs directly attributable to the IP being licensed. Marketing and indirect costs, overhead, or other Institution costs usually associated with operation of the Institution and not directly attributable to the IP will not be deducted from gross revenues.
10.46.18 “Entrepreneurial Leave”: Creators may request entrepreneurial leave to pursue their leadership role in a new company formed to commercialize their invention into a product.
10.46.19 “Institution”: The University of Rhode Island.
10.46.20 “Intellectual Property” or “IP”: Collectively, all forms of property created by the mind including, but not limited to, Inventions, Trade Secrets, Processes, Business and Technical Know-how, Copyrightable Works, Trademarks and Service Marks, and Tangible Research Property. Unless indicated otherwise, IP refers to properties owned by the URI Board of Trustees or its designee. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.46.21 “Intellectual Property Committee”: A committee convened by the Institution under the guidance of its Vice President for DRED for purposes of reviewing and evaluating IP Disclosures.
10.46.22 “Intellectual Property Disclosure”: A written document that allows one skilled-in-the-art to fully understand and practice, apply and/or commercialize IP.
10.46.23 “Intellectual Property and Economic Development Office” or “IPED Office”: The office having responsibility for the office of IP Management and Commercialization at the Institution or, where appropriate, its designee. #21-22-43
10.46.24 “Invention”: A process, method, discovery, device, plant, composition of matter, know-how, or other invention that reasonably appears to qualify for protection under United States patent law (including, but not limited to, utility patent, plant patent, design patent, certificate of Plant Variety Protection, etc.), whether or not actually patentable. This includes software that may also be a Copyrightable Work. An Invention may be the product of a single Inventor or a group of Inventors who have collaborated on a project.
10.46.25 “Inventor”: An individual who contributes to the conception of an Invention under U.S. patent law and who is identified as such on the licensed patent, patent application or unpatented technology. In the case of a patent or patent application, according to U.S. patent law, an Inventor’s contribution must be applicable to at least one claim. For purposes of this Policy, wherever practicable, Inventor shall be deemed to include the estate of any deceased person who otherwise qualifies as an Inventor.
10.46.26 “Licensing Revenue”: Revenue derived from any agreement licensing or assigning IP rights to a third party in exchange for payment of licensing fees, research fees, milestone fees, sponsored research or development, royalties, equipment, equity, or like-in-kind payments. Licensing Revenue may be received by the Institution or URIRF.
10.46.27 “Mediated Courseware”: Teaching aids or instructional assets created and/or deployed electronically. Mediated Courseware may incorporate text, graphics, video, and audio elements. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, hypertext modules, simulation software, web sites, and databases containing numbers, images, or text.
10.46.28 “Patent Protection Procedure”: The procedure established under section 10.43.21 – 10.43.33 for review of IP Disclosures by the Institution.
10.46.29 “Public Disclosure”: The description of an Invention in a printed publication, a patent application or at a conference, meeting, or other public gathering, in the United States or any other country, a sale or offer to sell an Invention, use of the Invention, other than as part of experimental use, in the United States, or disclosure to any person who is not required to maintain the Invention’s confidentiality. A Public Disclosure is “enabling” when it permits a person having ordinary skill in the art to which it pertains to practice the Invention without undue experimentation.
10.46.30 Stricken – #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.46.31 “Significant Use of Institutional Resources”: An Author’s use of other employees’ time or Institutional facilities or equipment that appreciably increases the Institution’s costs beyond those normally incurred in support of an employee in the Institution. Significant Use does not include the normal use of Institutional employees’ time, facilities, or equipment commonly available to faculty, staff, or the public, such as libraries, Internet access, office space, office equipment, computers, and/or office supplies, unless otherwise specified in a written agreement.
10.46.32 “Tangible Research Property”: Tangible items produced in the course of research including, but not limited to, such items as biological materials, engineering drawings, integrated circuit chips, computer databases, prototype devices, circuit diagrams, and equipment. Individual items of Tangible Research Property may be associated with one or more intangible properties, such as Inventions, Copyrightable Work, and Trademarks. An item of Tangible Research Property may be the product of a single Inventor or group of Inventors who have collaborated on the project.
10.46.33 “Trade Secret”: Information, including a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique or process, that derives independent economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use. See also Intellectual Property.
10.46.34 “Trademark” (including Service Mark): A distinctive word, design, or graphic symbol, or combination word and design, that distinguishes the goods and services of one party from those of another and identifies these goods and services, such as names or symbols used in conjunction with plant varieties or computer programs, or the Institutional names, logos, or derivatives thereof. See also Intellectual Property.
10.46.35 “Vice President for Division of Research and Economic Development” or “VP DRED”: The individual holding the office of Vice President for Division of Research and Economic Development at the Institution or, where appropriate, the Vice President’s designee. #21-22-6
10.46.36 “Work for Hire”: Defined pursuant to federal Copyright Law which includes a Work prepared by employees (staff, faculty, or student) within the scope of their employment, or a Work created pursuant to a written agreement by third party identifying the Work as a Work for Hire. Unless a Copyright Agreement provides otherwise, software created by employees within the scope of their employment and not treated as Mediated Courseware under sections 10.44.10 – 10.44.17 of this Policy shall be treated as a Work for Hire.
10.47.10 Applications for Research Grants and Contracts. All applications for Research Grants and Contracts must be signed by the Vice President for Research and Economic Development or the Vice President for Administration and Finance or their respective designees. At least one such signature must carry full Board authority to contract for the University of Rhode Island.
10.48.10 Application for Grants or Gifts which have Academic Implications. When a grant or gift proposal is initiated, the principal investigator, department chairperson, and academic dean are responsible for reviewing the proposal and bringing to the attention of all appropriate parties any elements which imply or specify commitments which exceed their authority or fall within the purview of the Faculty Senate.
10.49.10 Sponsored Research. Scholarly activity supported wholly or in part by third parties is hereby defined as sponsored research for the purposes of section 10.49.11.
10.49.11 Graduate Students Engaged in Sponsored Research. The Dean of the Graduate School is the only person authorized to approve those terms in any agreement with third parties that place restrictions on graduate students engaged in sponsored research. The University will not honor any such agreements made without authorized approval, and faculty engaged in unapproved agreements will consequently assume any and all resultant liabilities as individuals.
10.50.10 Publication. The University shall have exclusive rights to publish the results of all investigations conducted by members of the University staff as part of their assigned duty, in whatever form is considered desirable. By written agreement, publication may be deferred at the request of a collaborating party for a period, depending upon the requirements of public interest.
10.60.10 Employee Injury Claims. Employees injured on the job during the course of their employment shall promptly report this information to the office of Human Resource Administration on the prescribed Workers’ Compensation injury forms. All injuries shall be reported whether or not immediate medical treatment is obtained. Employees are allowed to seek medical attention from any physician of their choice. #21-22-6
10.61.10 Use of Buildings. No person other than a faculty member shall have the use of laboratories or classrooms outside of scheduled hours except with written permission of the chairperson of the department concerned.
10.62.10 News and Public Information. It is the policy of the University to distribute news and public information about campus activities, policies, and procedures to broad audiences through the URI Office of Communications and Marketing. The purpose of this centralization of public information activities is to permit an orderly flow of information and fair treatment of all media. In order to do this work, professionally-trained personnel are employed who have the equipment, background information, and the day-to-day experience necessary to service the press, radio and television, online media outlets, and other groups requiring authoritative information. The office is also responsible for the marketing and branding of the institution, and is the central clearinghouse for external advertising, website development, and social media coordination in order to ensure consistency with brand messaging and guidelines. Administrative Report September 2015
10.62.11 It is also the policy of the University to encourage administrative officials, and faculty, when contacted by Communications and Marketing, to answer questions regarding their areas of responsibility and expertise, since these persons have the detailed data and experience necessary for a full understanding of the subject. When there are questions beyond their scope of responsibility, or questions about University-wide policies, University personnel are requested to notify their immediate superiors, the Vice President of their division, and work with the Director of Communications and Marketing, who may seek assistance from the President of the University or such other persons as deemed necessary to answer questions. Disciplinary, personnel, and confidential matters, the disclosure of which might be detrimental to the individuals or to the orderly process of the University, should be referred to the Director of Communications and Marketing. Administrative Report September 2015, #21-22-6
10.62.12 With regard to the relationship between the University’s police and press, the Director of Security and the Director of Communications and Marketing exercise supervision over the distribution of information in keeping with established policies. The University will not report information when premature disclosure would prevent the apprehension of persons suspected of being involved in criminal acts where such disclosure would hamper police officials in the prosecution of a case before the courts.
10.62.13 Conduct in violation of University regulations, which is not in violation of the laws of the external community, is proscribed by the University and is disciplined by the University because it interferes with the University’s basic objectives. The University generally will not release information about disciplinary action taken by the University against a student, faculty or personnel for violation of these regulations.
10.70.10 Policies on Fund Raising. The University encourages private giving to help meet its needs. The URI Foundation, an independent 501c3, is charged with conducting and administering all fundraising activities on behalf of the University. All University personnel seeking to solicit money, foundation grants, equipment, or any other forms of private support in the name of the University shall first consult with their dean or director who shall consult the unit liaison with the URI Foundation President for discussion and/or approval of the proposed fund raising procedures and the potential donors who will be contacted. For additional information about the URI Foundation, please visit the website: http://www.urifoundation.org
The URI Research Foundation is not associated with the URI Foundation (see 3.50.10 – 3.50.21 for information about the Research Foundation). Administrative Report September 2015
10.72.10 Procedure for Revisions to the Distribution of Facilities and Administrative (Overhead) Funds. At the beginning of each fiscal year, a Committee for Review of the Distribution of Facilities and Administrative (Overhead) Funds (By-Laws 4.45) shall convene to review procedures and distribution of Facilities and Administrative funds (research overhead funds). The review shall: a) evaluate the current expenditure and distribution plan with regard to URI’s changing needs and resources; b) examine, as desirable, F&A distribution plans at other peer public research institutions; c) produce a report including, as appropriate, any recommendations for changes in distribution to be considered for implementation in the subsequent fiscal year. #12-13-15, #17-18-23
10.72.11 The Committee shall be chaired by the Chair of the Committee for Research and Creative Activities. The Committee shall consist of all members of the Committee for Research and Creative Activities and one designee each of the President, the Provost, and the Vice President for Administration and Finance. The Vice President for Research and Economic Development may be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the subcommittee. #12-13-15, #16-17-7, #17-18-23
10.72.12 Specific arrangements proposed for centers or projects must be reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Research and Economic Development after consultation with the President, PIs, Provost, and appropriate deans, directors and chairs. Such arrangements shall be in writing, be presented to the Committee, and have a defined term (no more than three years) after which they shall be reviewed and, if appropriate, re-established or renegotiated. #12-13-15, #17-18-23
10.72.13 Entities receiving F&A funds shall make a full and accurate accounting of how funds were spent during the prior fiscal year, including all sponsored projects administration (SPA) expenditures. These reports shall be submitted by October 1 of each year to the Controller by all university units that have expenses related to F&A funds. The Controller will review to ensure reports are reconciled with audit statements. #12-13-15
10.72.14 During the review process, a draft of the report shall be made available to faculty for a minimum 2-week comment period. The Committee shall consider these comments in production of their final report, which shall be submitted to the Committee for Research and Creative Activities to forward to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, the President, Provost, Vice President of Research and Economic Development, and Vice President of Administration and Finance no later than January 31 for review, discussion, and approval, and then is subject to final approval by the President. The President shall submit an annual report to the Board and the Faculty Senate on the use of indirect cost recovery funds and any changes in the distribution of funds for the coming year. #12-13-15, #17-18-23
10.80.10 Budget Process. The Vice President for Administration and Finance shall publish and make available to all faculty a calendar showing key dates for the annual budget process which affect all faculty, department heads and deans.
10.80.11 Department chairpersons shall solicit faculty participation in the budget process of the department. Administrative Report September 2015
10.80.12 If the majority of the faculty in an individual department or unit so chooses, it shall establish annually a small budget task force to assist the department or unit in analyzing needs and projected requirements. The task force shall also make recommendations to the chairperson on priorities regarding budgetary needs as well as in the allocation of funds in the existing budget.
10.80.13 The Vice President for Administration and Finance shall make available in the University Library two copies of the budget request as submitted to the URI Board of Trustees when finalized for a given fiscal year. #January 27, 2022 Informational Report
10.90.9 The Administrator Evaluation Coordinator (see Section 4.4, By-Laws of the Faculty Senate), or AE Coordinator, shall contact the Provost or the President, as appropriate, each March to plan for administrator evaluations for the following academic year. Administrator evaluations are carried out as described in sections 10.90.10-10.90.17. After identifying the administrators to be reviewed for the following academic year, the AE Coordinator shall schedule a meeting with the administrators to be reviewed. The initial meeting shall include the administrator’s supervisor. The purpose of the initial meeting is to provide an orientation to the review process. The AE Coordinator will act as a facilitator for the process. #13-14-26
10.90.10 Faculty Evaluation of Administrators. The purpose of Administrator Evaluation is to conduct a faculty performance review of administrators, using a well-defined procedure as outlined in the University Manual. The performance review includes input obtained through use of an electronic survey completed by the administrator’s constituency group. The electronic survey results are summarized, documented, and shared with the administrator and the administrator’s supervisor. The review results provide administrators with critical feedback from their constituencies to help them improve and excel in their positions and/or identify problem areas that must be addressed. The review results provide important information to the administrator’s supervisor within the timeframe for a decision on the reappointment of the administrator and establishment of goals and objectives for the new contract period. #07-08-4, #13-14-26, #18-19-33, #21-22-6
10.90.11 The President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the Chief Information Office, the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, the Deans of: the Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, the College of Health Sciences, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the University College for Academic Success, the Graduate School, the Graduate School of Oceanography, and of the Library are subject to faculty evaluation. The evaluation shall be scheduled during the academic year immediately preceding the consideration of reappointment of each administrator. Administrators must be reviewed through this process prior to their reappointment. #07-08-4, #13-14-26, #18-19-33
10.90.12 Electronic Survey. The administrator evaluation process is based in part on peer reviews, which are a fundamental practice in academia. Therefore, objective and balanced evaluations are necessary for an effective review process. Each member of an administrator’s constituent group shall be invited to participate through an electronic survey which will include an open-ended comment section allowing for submission of written comments. The AE Coordinator shall be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the entire evaluation process for all administrators. The AE Coordinator shall request and receive a copy of the administrator’s job description, curriculum vita, and statement of accomplishments since the person’s initial appointment or last review date. The documents provided by the administrators under review shall be distributed by the AE Coordinator to their constituencies. The survey responses shall be handled confidentially by the AE Coordinator. Participation in the review of administrators including the electronic survey is an optional activity. #07-08-4, #13-14-26, #21-22-6
10.90.13 Administrator Evaluation Committees (see 5.76.10) shall be established within each administrative unit to prepare survey questions, collaborate with the AE Coordinator and the Faculty Senate Office to conduct the electronic survey, review survey results and faculty comments, and determine how the survey results and any conclusions are to be summarized and presented. The work of these committees shall be completed before March 30 or by the reappointment decision deadline, whichever is earlier. See sections 5.76.10-5.76.12 for descriptions of Administrator Evaluation Committees. #07-08-4; #09-10-1, #13-14-26
10.90.14 The Administrator Evaluation Committee shall provide its written report to the administrator under review and meet with the administrator to review the major findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The administrator has the option of providing a written response to the Administrator Evaluation Committee within 5 days of meeting with the Administrator Evaluation Committee. The Administrator Evaluation Committee shall subsequently provide its written report and any written response from the administrator to the administrator’s supervisor. Allowing the supervisor a review time not to exceed 14 days, the Administrator Evaluation Committee shall meet with the supervisor and verbally review its major findings, conclusions, and recommendations. All members of the constituent unit shall be notified by the Administrator Evaluation Committee that this meeting has taken place. When the review is complete, a copy of the written report shall be provided to the AE Coordinator who will seal, mark confidential, and file the report in the Faculty Senate Office. #07-08-4, #13-14-26, #21-22-6
10.90.15 Verbal Reporting to Constituency. The supervisor of the administrator being reviewed, in accordance with the organizational chart for the institution, shall deliver to the constituency for each administrator a verbal report on the evaluation results. If the constituency is not affiliated with a single administrative unit but represents a university-wide constituency (all tenure-track faculty), or a group that crosses units (graduate faculty, faculty affiliated with University College, or faculty affiliated with ASFCEPS), the verbal report will be presented at a meeting of the Faculty Senate immediately following the receipt of the written report of the Administrator Evaluation Committee. #07-08-4; #13-14-26
10.90.16 Evaluation of the President. The evaluation of the President is similar to that of all other administrators. However, the President’s supervisor is the URI Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall appoint one member of the evaluation committee for the President. The President’s evaluation report shall be provided to the President and to the chair of the Board of Trustees. #13-14-26 #January 27, 2022 Informational Report #22-23-18
10.90.17 The respective administrator evaluation committees shall ensure the confidentiality of the process for the faculty participating in the process as well as for the administrator being evaluated. #07-08-4, #13-14-26