Human Resources

F.2 Confidentiality and Intellectual Property

Policy No. F. 2.00

Date of Issue 7/2/2014

The protection of university staff information and confidential and proprietary information, as well as any intellectual property, is important to the success of the organization. Accordingly, all employees are expected to handle and secure such information in accordance with the following guidelines:

2.01

Careful handling of documents or materials containing confidential or proprietary information is of critical importance to the well-being of the university. Each employee is responsible for safeguarding against theft, loss, unauthorized use, or disclosure of this information. If, in the course of an employee’s work, he/she has access to such material, he/she must ensure that it is handled or stored in such a manner as to prevent loss or misuse and in accordance with any applicable statutory regulatory requirements or contractual obligations.

2.02

Examples of confidential information, regardless of whether the information is marked “confidential” or “proprietary” include, but are not limited to: employee names, addresses and telephone numbers; employee salaries, tax information, performance reviews and personnel files; university expenses and financial data; student names, addresses and telephone numbers; any medical information about an individual; any student grades, class schedules, or financial information; any credit card information; any social security or tax identification numbers; and anything marked “confidential” or “proprietary.”

2.03

Except as otherwise provided by particular contractor policy, the university retains the rights and ownership to any material, regardless of format or medium, created for the university by its employees in the course of their employment or by any individual/company contracted by the university to provide those services.

2.04

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this section is intended to limit or restrict the ability of an employee from (i) disclosing his or her confidential information, such as his or her address, telephone number, salary, personnel files, grades, medical information and/or financial information to whom and as he or she deems appropriate or (ii) engaging in legally protected, concerted activities.

2.05

Questions concerning confidentiality and intellectual property should be referred to the Office of General Counsel.