A new Provost's faculty committee was established last year. A member of the previous task force, copyright expert Penn Law Professor Robert Gorman, was consulted on the current proposed changes to the Penn policy. Professor Gross read a revision requested by the President concerning faculty petition regarding ownership. Further, the definitions are open to reinterpretation and adaptation. The Provost pointed out that a new part of the policy is commitment of effort with the core mission of the schools.
Schools can add new core items and adjust existing core items.
He said that any conflict of faculty work with the core school mission would be resolved by the school faculty and the dean. The provost emphasized that the academic missions are the province of the schools and their faculty. A SEC member asked whether a faculty member giving a guest lecture at another university would require permission of the dean. The Provost stated no but the dean's permission would be required to give a course while on leave at another university. Discussion ensued on faculty access to avenues for appeal.