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Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions are frequently asked of our attorneys.

Delegations of Authority

• How to I find out who has the authority to sign a contract for my unit?
   
• Who decides what authority to delegate?
   
• What is the difference between approval and signature authority?
   
• How do I know whether I have the authority to sign a contract?
   
• What happens if I have no authority, but sign anyway?
   
• How do I get authority to sign documents I need to sign for my job?
   
• What are Authorized Approvals?
   

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Discrimination, Harassment, Affirmative Action

• I think I've been discriminated against. What do I do?
   
• I supervise an employee who claims she is being harassed, but I don't know whether it is sexual harassment or what to do.

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Employment and Labor Relations

• I'm considering discipline for an employee I supervise. What do I do?
   
• Who handles workers' compensation?
   
• My department wishes to hire an instructor who needs a visa to work in the United States. Can the instructor begin teaching classes while his visa application is pending with the INS?
   
• I need some guidelines for interviewing prospective employees. Can you help?

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Free Speech, Free Press, Freedom of Religion

• Doesn't free speech mean I can say whatever I want wherever I want, even if it offends someone?

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Health Care Law

• As a researcher in the healthcare field, I need access to patient medical records to do my research. What restrictions apply?

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Information Access and Restrictions; Personal Data

• What University information can I get or give out?
   
• I am an employee. What information about me is available to the public or to me?
   
• I am a student. What information about me is available to the public or to me?
   
• Can I give a candid employment or academic reference without getting sued?
   
• I know the University as a public institution is covered by the Data Practices Act and many of its records and documents are available to the public. Can the University then agree to hold any information confidential or enter into confidentiality agreements?
   
• Where can I find more information about the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and the University's policy on records retention?

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Intellectual Property (Copyright, Patent, Trademark)

• Useful Web sites regarding intellectual property.
   
• Who should I contact if I believe that there is an infringement of my copyright occurring in the umn.edu domain?
   
• Who should University employees contact for assistance in obtaining copyright permissions?
   
• Where can I obtain information and assistance regarding how the UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA word mark should be used?
   
• Who should I contact to obtain a license to use University of Minnesota trademarks on products?
   
• Who should I call for further information regarding the Regents' Policy on Intellectual Property?

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Lawsuits, Legal Claims, Subpoenas

• What is a subpoena?
   
• What should I do with the subpoena?
   
• What if I receive a legal notice such as a subpoena, summons, or search warrant?
   
• To whom do I serve legal papers at the University if I want to initiate a lawsuit?
   
• I need a notarized signature. What is it and can you help?
   
• Does the University have liability insurance? What does it cover?

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Legal Defense and Indemnification of University Employees

• What if there is a legal claim against me based on something I did at work?

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Policy Development and Compliance

• What is the University's policy about ________?

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Purchasing and Contracting

• My department is considering providing services to an outside party for compensation. I know that if it were a sponsored project, I would go through Sponsored Projects Administration. However, these services do not involve sponsored research, and they appear to constitute an external sale. Where should I go for help?
   
• My department is interested in purchasing services and/or goods from an outside vendor. How should this be handled?
   
• My department has issued the standard University Purchase Order for the purchase of certain goods, but the vendor has countered with its own form documents with different terms and conditions. What should I do?
   
• How do I know who is authorized to sign contracts on behalf of the University?
   
• Our department has certain equipment that it no longer needs. Can we sell it, and if so, how?
   
• What factors should I consider before entering into a contract?
   
• My department wants to hire a consultant. In addition to price, what terms should we consider?

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Real Estate and Construction

• If my department is interested in renting or leasing office space off campus, to whom should we direct our questions?
   
• I understand the University has initiated a program of contracting with businesses owned by minorities, women, or people with disabilities, or with companies with a proven record of employing and/or utilizing these targeted populations. Where can I obtain more information about this program?

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Student Issues

• The class I teach is going on a trip. Should I get a consent form from the students?
   
• Students in my program must complete an internship as part of their degree requirements. Should we have a written agreement with every site where the students do their internships?

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Sweatshop Issues -- Workers Rights Consortium ( WRC )

• Where can I obtain a copy of the University of Minnesota Licensee Labor Practices Task Force Recommendations to President Mark G. Yudof and a copy of President Yudof's Statement Regarding Sweatshop Labor Practices?
   
• Where can I obtain information regarding the Workers Rights Consortium?
   
• Where can I obtain a copy of the University of Minnesota Trademark Licensee Code of Conduct?
   
• Where can I locate a list of Licensee Factory Disclosures?
  
  
• Statement by President Robert H. Bruininks Regarding Designated Suppliers Program
   

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