The University's Intellectual Property policy describes fully the University's position on these matters. Whenever an arrangement is being considered that would restrict the faculty member's public disclosure of the existence of the arrangement. It is the University's policy that a faculty member should not undertake research in which the sponsor requires confidentiality of sponsorship. Whenever an arrangement would restrict the faculty member's public disclosure of information developed by the faculty member. In the case of a relationship with an external organization, the faculty member must ascertain whether there are requirements for confidentiality that might compromise his or her own fundamental rights of academic freedom or those of other faculty members or students.
Academic freedom means, in part, unhindered discussion and publication of results of research.
Whenever a faculty member's relationship to an external party might appear to influence either the conduct of the University's business or the conduct of reach within the University. Faculty will complete the attached Annual Report and return it to their department chair no later than the 31st of January each year. The department chair will review all disclosures and forward to the Conflict of Interest Committee any that he or she feel pose real or potential conflicts of interest. Department chairs will forward their personal disclosures directly to the Conflict of Interest Committee for review. Responses from departmental chairs are due to the Committee no later than March 15 of each year along with a statement that all other unforwarded disclosures appear to pose no conflict of interest.