Authority to Sign Contracts | Office of General Counsel

Part I: Campus Officials Authorized to Sign Contracts and Cooperative Agreements Related to Technology Transfer and Sponsored Programs (External Grants and Contract Funding)*

Officer

Authority

Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations, or his/her designee. Deans of academic colleges and Associate Provosts are authorized to sign such agreements but only if:

(1) their college or academic division employs a contract officer;

(2) that contract officer has been authorized in writing by the Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations to review and approve research contracts and agreements; and

(3) that contract officer has reviewed and approved the research contract or agreement. Deans and Associate Provosts are authorized to delegate signature authority to such contract officers;

Such delegations should be reported in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations.

To sign research contracts and agreements that provide for

(1) research to be conducted by the University or

(2) research to be sponsored by the University and conducted by another entity on behalf of the University.

Vice Chancellor for Research and Federal Relations; Executive Director, Office of Technology Transfer

(A) To sign confidential disclosure agreements and nondisclosure agreements related to (1) research to be conducted or proposed to be conducted by the University, (2) research to be sponsored by the University and conducted by another entity on behalf of the University, or (3) technology development and/or transfer that involves the University.

(B) To sign all patent applications and other related documentation, including all "Verified Statements Claiming Small Entity Status (37 CFR 1.9(f) & 1.27(d))--Nonprofit Organization" forms required by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

(C) To sign technology transfer agreements related to (1) research to be conducted by the University, (2) research to be sponsored by the University and conducted by another entity on behalf of the University, or (3) technology development and/or transfer that involves the University.

(D) To sign Material Transfer Agreements on behalf of the University.

(E) To sign standard agreements transferring ownership of University inventions to their respective inventors upon determination by the Patent Committee that University efforts to commercialize such inventions will not be productive.

(F) To sign interinstitutional agreements with other research institutions on behalf of the University.

*The Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs and the Provost are authorized to sign all of the above-referenced contracts and agreements in the absence of authorized officials listed above.

Part II: Campus Officials Authorized to Sign Contracts and Official Documents on Behalf of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Except Those Addressed in Part I Above)

	Officer	Authority
1.	Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs	To sign all contracts, agreements, and other official documents which the Chancellor is authorized to sign, consistent with the requirements of the Board of Trustees, and to approve requests for consulting services prior to submission to the Governor for approval.
2.	Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance	Same authority as delegated to Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, except that no authority is granted with respect to the consulting agreements referred to in Part II, Section A above.
3.	The Vice Chancellors and Other Designated Officers	Personnel actions--to sign specified offers of appointment, notices, and PD-7 forms on behalf of the Chancellor.
4.	Director of Conferences, Reservations, and Event Services (Alternate[s]: Assistant Director, Conference Services; Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Union, Activities and Recreation)	To sign University conference contracts that originate through the University Conference, Reservations, and Event Services Office.
5.	Director, Recreational Facilities (Alternate: Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Union, Activities and Recreation)	To sign entertainment, art exhibition, conference and facilities use, and advertisement contracts for campus multi-use recreational facilities.
6.	Director, Office of Student Activities (Alternate[s]: Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Union, Activities and Recreation)	To sign art exhibition contracts for Student Life and Facilities Management (SLFM) facilities; to sign entertainment contracts for all Student Affairs units and for all other campus units and organizations that utilize SLFM facilities or student activity fees for entertainment events, or that request assistance with entertainment contracts.
7.	Director of Alumni Affairs (Alternate: Associate Director of Alumni Affairs)	To sign contracts for facility rentals (hotel meeting rooms), bands, and speakers for Alumni events, serices, and programs for Alumni Affairs. To sign University event contracts that originate through the Harris Alumni Center for event purposes.
8.	Senior Assistant to the Chancellor and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees	To sign copies of all minutes, papers and documents on behalf of the Board of Trustees
9.	Director of Athletics (Alternate: Senior Associate Athletic Director/Business Affairs)	To sign checks on a revolving travel advance account; to initiate purchases for the Athletics Department where a single item does not exceed $2,500, and for single items greater than $2,500 with written approval of the Chancellor, and to sign contracts for the normal day-to-day operations of the Athletics Department such as game contracts, NCAA and conference contracts, and sports, radio and television contracts.
10.	Director, International Student/Scholar Office	To sign University applications and documents relating to non-resident alien students, faculty and staff, and labor certifications prepared for the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.
11.	Assistant Director of Student Media (Marketing Advisor) (Alternate: Student Media Advisor)	To sign contracts between advertisers and the UNC Charlotte Student Media for advertisements which are to appear in UNC Charlotte student publications. Also, authorized to delegate authority in writing, for limited defined periods of time, to named student employees of the UNC Charlotte Student Media for contracts not exceeding $100.00.
12.	Director, Venture Outdoor Program (Alternates: Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Activities, Diversity and Special Projects; Assistant Vice Chancellor, Student Union, Activities and Recreation; Associate Director, Venture Outdoor Program)	To sign contracts with external entities for provision of Venture Outdoor Program services. To sign advertising contracts for placement of advertisements in Venture Outdoor Program publications.
13.	Director, Materials Management Alternates for purchase orders only: Assistant Director of Purchasing; Purchasing Agents; Purchasing Expediters; Warehouse Manager; Stores Manager	To sign purchase orders, as provided in Policy Statement #50, Purchasing Policy. To sign equipment loan agreements that do not involve grant-related sources of funds. To sign contracts up to $10,000 except for those involving hazardous materials or chemicals.
14.	Director of Employee Relations, Training, and Compliance	To sign University agreements settling EEOC charges after and Compliance terms of settlements have been reviewed by the University Attorney.
15.	Associate Provost for Information Systems and CIO	To sign certain contracts and agreements for Information Systems services and products on behalf of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
16.	Director, Continuing Education, Extension, and Summer Programs	To sign contracts (other than those involving the receipt of federal funds) for University purchase of instructional services from a named individual, pursuant to a University standard form agreement; to sign contracts for University sale of instructional services to other than federal agencies pursuant to a University standard form agreement where total receipts under the contract cannot exceed $250,000.
17.	Dean, College of Education	To sign Field Experiences Agreements between UNC Charlotte and local school systems.
18.	University Librarian	To sign agreements for library-specific services, library software, library resources, and library databases.
19.	Executive Director, Office of International Programs	To sign, during trips abroad, memoranda of understanding and cooperation between UNC Charlotte and international universities.
20.	Dean, College of Health and Human Services (Alternate: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Health and Human Services)	To sign affiliation agreements, employment-based field agency placement agreements, and preceptor letters between UNC Charlotte and regional agencies related to internship/clinical practicum/field placement/other experiential education required of students in the degree programs of the College of Health and Human Services.

Return to: Policy Statement #35, Authority to Sign Contracts and Other Official Documents

Return to: Contract Checklist