Year: 2011

Endowed Chairs and Professorships, Policy on

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Title: Endowed Chairs and Professorships, Policy on
Policy Owner: Board of Trustees
Applies to: All UConn Campuses
Campus Applicability: All Campuses
Effective Date: April 28, 2023
For More Information, Contact Board of Trustees Office
Contact Information: (860) 486-2333
Official Website: http://boardoftrustees.uconn.edu/

BACKGROUND

The University of Connecticut seeks endowment support for chairs and professorships in the several academic departments, independent scholarly centers, schools, and colleges to support distinguished teaching, research, and community service.

PURPOSE

To clarify the areas of responsibility for establishing, approving, reviewing, and filling Endowed Chairs and Professorships

POLICY STATEMENT

Endowed chairs and professorships are created by the Trustees upon recommendation by the President and in consideration of the President’s determination that sufficient endowment funds have been provided through an outright gift or a written pledge to provide a significant share of the chair holder’s salary, research or teaching program support, and supplementary support.

On recommendation by the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs or Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, the President will present to the Board a proposal for establishment of an endowed chair or endowed professorship.  The President’s recommendation to the Trustees will address the chair’s or the professor’s purpose in light of the University’s academic mission, source of funding, and such other matters as may be relevant to the creation of the chair or professorship.

Once an endowed chair or professorship has been created, the position will be filled in accordance with University policy, and the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs or the Executive Vice President for Health Affairs will recommend a candidate for appointment to the Board of Trustees.

Appointments will be for a fixed term, with the possibility of renewal. The term associated with an endowed chair or endowed professorship will be determined at the discretion of the dean up to a maximum of 5 years.  The holder of an endowed chair or endowed professorship is ordinarily considered for a renewal appointment at the end of their appointment.

In the event that an endowed chair becomes vacant, the dean, in consultation with the Provost may at appoint an individual to the position for no more than a 1-year temporary appointment.  The Provost will consider exceptions to the ordinary procedures on a case-by-case basis.

Retired or emeritus faculty are ineligible for appointment or reappointment to an endowed chair or professorships.  Faculty who retire while serving in an endowed position vacate the position upon retirement.

The President shall periodically forward to the Board of Trustees reports on the contributions made by holders of endowed chairs or professorships.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

The Endowed Professorship Appointment and Renewal Procedures are available from the Academic Affairs Governance Documents Library.

REFERENCES

List of Endowed Chairs and Professorship

POLICY HISTORY

Policy Created: 9/26/2001
Policy Supersedes Endowed Chairs Policy (5/11/1990; 11/7/1989; 10/15/1989)

Revised:  07/30/2025 (Editorial); 03/13/2023 (Approved by Senior Policy Council and the Board of Trustees)

Review Process for Deans

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Title: Review Process for Deans
Policy Owner: Office of the Provost
Applies to: Others
Campus Applicability:
Effective Date:  January 2, 2004
For More Information, Contact Office of the Provost
Contact Information: (860) 486-4037
Official Website: http://provost.uconn.edu/

Application: This process applies to Deans, and not their direct reports, although Deans may choose to use this process for their direct reports.

Timing: As is true for all senior administrators, Deans are routinely subject to formal review every five years.  This review normally occurs at the beginning of the fifth year of a five-year appointment.  Deans may be appointed for multiple subsequent five-year terms, with formal reviews occurring every five years.

Process Oversight: The Provost shall be responsible for the review of the Deans.  The Provost may delegate the supervisory function for carrying out reviews to a direct report.

Review Procedure:

 

  • Review Committee. To carry out each formal review of a Dean, a Review Committee chaired by another Dean shall gather information and report it to the Provost.  In addition to the Chair, each Review Committee shall be comprised of approximately six individuals: two chosen directly by the Provost, two elected by the college/school faculty in a fashion approved jointly by the Provost and the administrative governing body of the college/school, one chosen by the Provost from a list submitted by the University Senate Executive Committee, and one selected by the Provost from a list submitted by the Dean under review.
  • Review Process. The Chair of the Review Committee shall carry out the administrator review process.  This process shall include the following components:
  1. Receipt of a statement and report of accomplishment from the Dean
  2. Dissemination of a confidential survey and solicitation of written comments from college/school faculty and staff, and relevant university and external constituencies, with compilation of the results
  3. Conduct by Committee members of interviews with relevant individuals, including direct reports such as department heads, external constituencies, students, and such faculty and staff as the Review Committee deems appropriate
  4. Other information agreed upon between the Review Committee and the Provost
  • Review Outcome
  1. The Review Committee shall serve as a fact-finding and advisory committee to the Provost.  At the conclusion of the review process, it shall meet with the Provost to report its findings.
  2. The final decision on reappointment of a Dean resides with the Provost.

Confidentiality of Library User Records

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Title: Confidentiality of Library User Records
Policy Owner: UConn Library
Applies to: All Library Users
Campus Applicability: All UConn Campuses
Approval Date: March 4, 2026
Effective Date: March 9, 2026
For More Information, Contact: UConn Library
Contact Information: (860)486-2219
Official Website: https://www.lib.uconn.edu/

PURPOSE

To ensure the confidentiality of Library User records in compliance with professional ethics and applicable legal standards.

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all Library Users who utilize or borrow resources from the UConn Library.

DEFINITIONS

Library Users: Any authorized user of the UConn Library, including University of Connecticut students, workforce members, community faculty, and community borrowers.

Community Borrowers: Non-UConn affiliates who are citizens of the state of Connecticut or a member of another eligible population who has registered for a community borrower card through the UConn Library’s Community Borrower Program.

POLICY STATEMENT

The UConn Library is responsible for ensuring that personally identifiable information related to individual library user’s use of library resources will be kept confidential to the extent possible under the law. Personally identifiable information is only used internally as needed for library operations and is not disclosed to third parties except with the expressed written permission of the Library User or as otherwise required by law. This policy aligns with the principles of the American Library Association Code of Ethics, which endorses the confidentiality of Library User records.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy and any related procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Library user records are kept confidential and retained in accordance with the state record retention requirements established by the Office of the Public Records Administrator of the Connecticut State Library.

If the University is served with a subpoena, warrant, or court order compelling disclosure of library user records, then such document shall be promptly referred to the University’s Office of the General Counsel.

REFERENCES

American Library Association Code of Ethics
State of Connecticut Records Retention Schedule
UConn Library Community Borrower Program
University of Connecticut Student Code
University General Rules of Conduct

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created: November 21, 2016 (Approved by University Administration)

Revisions: March 4, 2026 (Approved by the Senior Policy Council and President)

Athletics Employee Handbook

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Title: Athletics Employee Handbook
Policy Owner: Division of Athletics
Applies to: Athletics Staff
Campus Applicability:  Storrs
Effective Date: August 2016
For More Information, Contact Division of Athletics
Contact Information: (860) 486-2725
Official Website: http://www.uconnhuskies.com/

 

The Division of Athletics Employee Handbook is currently being revised. Please check back soon for updates. Any questions pertaining to the handbook may be directed to Cheryl Bertora at (860) 486-2725 or Dan Gilinski at (860) 486-2050.

Assignment of Textbooks and Other Intellectual Property

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Title: Assignment of Textbooks and Other Intellectual Property
Policy Owner: Office of the Provost
Applies to: Faculty
Campus Applicability: All Programs at All Campuses
Effective Date: October 29, 2010
For More Information, Contact Office of the Provost
Contact Information: (860) 486-4037
Official Website: http://provost.uconn.edu/

Background and reasons for the Policy:

The Code of Ethics for Public Officials precludes the use of one’s public position for personal financial gain.  This policy is intended to support compliance with the Code.

Purpose of Policy:

To provide guidance on the circumstances under which one may assign a textbook or other intellectual property authored or developed by the professor to a course s/he may teach.

Expected Institutional Outcome:

Compliance with the Code of Ethics

Applicability of Policy:

All Faculty

Policy Statement:

No public official or state employee shall use his/her public office or position or confidential information received through his holding such public office or position to obtain financial gain for himself/herself, his/her spouse, child, child’s spouse, parent, brother or sister or a business with which he/she is associated. Connecticut General Statutes Section 1-84(c) of the Code of Ethics for Public Officials.

In a course taught by a faculty member, the assignment of a required textbook s/he authored or of intellectual property s/he prepared may be interpreted as “obtaining financial gain for himself/herself” unless the faculty member receives prior approval for such use or directs any financial gain to a University of Connecticut student scholarship fund within thirty (30) days of receipt.  If the professor directs any financial gain to a University of Connecticut student scholarship fund, no review is needed.

Responsibilities:

All Faculty are responsible for compliance with this policy.  Deans and Department Heads should work with their faculty to ensure that the implementation guidelines (see below) are enforced.

Policy Implementation Guidelines:

Approval for use of a textbook or other intellectual property authored by the faculty member in a course taught by that individual should be obtained through a departmental or school/college review of the intellectual property in question. The review will address the appropriateness of this specific piece of intellectual property consistent with the guidelines established in Advisory Opinion No. 2001-7.  A small committee of faculty members, not subordinate to the professor, will complete the review, and a determination report will be filed with the Provost’s office.

Failure to comply constitutes a violation of the State ethics code and University policy and is subject to disciplinary procedures of both.

Administrative Review and Approval of Proposals for External Support

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Title: Administrative Review and Approval of Proposals for External Support
Policy Owner: Office of the Vice President for Research, Sponsored Program Services
Applies to: Principal Investigators and all others involved in the submission of a sponsored program proposal
Campus Applicability:  All campuses except for UConn Health
Effective Date: June 24, 2015
For More Information, Contact Sponsored Program Services
Contact Information: (860) 486-3622
Official Website: http://research.uconn.edu

PURPOSE

The timely submission of proposals for internal UConn review and approval allows for thoughtful consideration and review of sponsored project proposals for compliance with University, Federal, State and sponsor policies.  Additionally, Sponsored Program Services professionals review proposals against the administrative requirements of the sponsor’s announcement, including budgets and budget justifications to identify potential administrative or financial challenges to the success of the proposal.

POLICY

All proposal submissions seeking external support for research and other sponsored projects must be submitted to the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) Sponsored Program Services (SPS) for review and approval prior to submission to an external sponsor, even when institutional sign-off is not required by the sponsor.

All letters-of-intent and pre-proposal submissions seeking external support for research and other sponsored projects must be submitted to Sponsored Program Services for review and approval prior to submission to an external sponsor if the signature of an authorized official, a detailed budget, or cost share commitment is required.

Proposals submitted without SPS approval may be administratively withdrawn or the offer of funding (award) may not be accepted if the submission is found to be non-compliant with University, Federal, State or sponsor policies.

SPS requests a minimum of five (5) business days prior to the agency or submission deadline for review and approval of the full proposal, internal forms and budget.

The University of Connecticut reserves the right to withdraw any proposal or refuse acceptance of any award that does not comply with this policy.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Sponsored Programs and Faculty Services has overall responsibility for this policy.

The Principal Investigator accepts the responsibility for the timely submission of all proposals and pre-proposals that require SPS approval to SPS.

The Department Head, Center Director and/or Dean attests to the academic purposes of the proposed project and its appropriateness in terms of budget, committed effort, space and equipment.

The Director of Sponsored Programs and Faculty Services is the authorized signatory for all proposals for sponsored programs. In the absence of the designated official, arrangements are made to ensure timely signing by alternate University signatories.

Principal Investigators, Department Heads, Deans and other individuals as required are responsible for authorizing and signing internal processing documents, but are not authorized to sign a sponsored projects proposal as the institutional official on behalf of the University.

PROCEDURE/FORMS

See OVPR SPS website: Proposal Preparation & Submission Overview

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University Laws and By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the University of Connecticut Student Code.

POLICY HISTORY

Policy created:  6/12/2008

Revised:           6/24/2015 (approved by the Vice President for Research)

 

Academic Course Work Taken by Faculty or Non-Teaching Professionals

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Title: Academic Course Work Taken by Faculty or Non-Teaching Professionals
Policy Owner: Office of the Provost and Human Resources
Applies to: Faculty, Staff
Campus Applicability: Storrs and Regional Campuses
Effective Date: September 25, 2014
For More Information, Contact Human Resources, Labor Relations
Contact Information: (860) 486-5684
Official Website: https://hr.uconn.edu/employee-relations/

Background and reasons for the Policy:

To provide guidance to faculty and non-teaching professionals on the circumstances under which they may take a course for credit during the employee’s regular work hours.

Purpose of Policy:

To support the University’s need to ensure effective delivery of instructional and other services for which faculty and non-teaching professional staff are hired and to mitigate against conflicts of commitment.

Expected Institutional Outcome:

To support uninterrupted delivery of programs, instruction and services.

Applicability of Policy:

Faculty and Non-Teaching Professionals.

Policy Statement:

No member of the faculty or non-teaching professional staff may take for credit any academic work at this institution or elsewhere during the employee’s normal work time/days, without written approval of his or her Dean or Director. The Dean or Director may consult with Human Resources Labor Relations regarding flexible schedule options.

Responsibilities:

The Provost, Deans and Department Heads and other supervisors have a responsibility to support compliance with this policy by faculty and staff in their units.

Policy History

Supersedes version of policy effective 06/23/2008

Violence in the Workplace Prevention, Policy on

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Title: Violence in the Workplace Prevention, Policy on
Policy Owner: Human Resources
Applies to: Faculty, Staff, Others
Campus Applicability: Storrs and Regional Campuses
Effective Date: January 2, 2004
For More Information, Contact Labor Relations
Contact Information: (860) 486-5684
Official Website: https://hr.uconn.edu/employee-relations/

Background and reasons for the policy: The safety and security of all employees is of primary importance to the University of Connecticut.  On August 4, 1999, the Governor of the State of Connecticut issued an executive order establishing a zero tolerance policy for workplace violence for all state agencies and public universities.

Workplace Violence is defined by this executive order as:

“Any physical assault, threatening behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. It includes, but is not limited to, beatings, stabbings, suicides, rapes, near suicides, psychological traumas, such as threats, obscene phone calls, an intimidating presence and harassment of any nature such as being followed, sworn, or shouted at.”

This policy governs all University employees, persons who are permitted to work on University premises, at satellite locations or at University sponsored off-site events. This policy also governs persons operating state vehicles under the control of the University.  The entire Governor’s policy and related definitions are accessible via the following links:

The executive order: http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/olr/wpv/exc16.pdf

The Workplace Violence Prevention Manual:

http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2992&q=383254

Purpose of Policy: The University of Connecticut is committed to providing a workplace that is conducive to a safe and healthy environment supportive of our educational mission. This policy communicates the meaning of “workplace violence”, defines prohibited conduct and establishes potential consequences for violations. Additional resources are cited to provide direction on how to report incidents and offer sources of assistance and support to those impacted by workplace violence.

Expected Institutional Outcome: This policy will provide the University’s faculty, staff, students, contracted employees, visitors, vendors, volunteers and guests with an appropriately safe and healthy work environment, free from intimidation, harassment, threats and/or violent acts.

Applicability of Policy: This policy applies to all University of Connecticut employees and contractors.

Policy Statement: The University of Connecticut takes any act of violence seriously. The prevention of workplace violence is everyone’s responsibility. It is expected that University employees will maintain a workplace atmosphere of mutual respect and civility.

No person covered by this policy may engage in conduct intended to threaten, intimidate or harass a University employee. No person covered by this policy may possess a weapon or dangerous instrument while on any University worksite unless required to do so as a component of their job.  No person covered by this policy may use, attempt to use, or threaten to use a weapon or dangerous instrument. No person covered by this policy may cause or threaten to cause death or physical injury to any individual while at a University worksite.

Individuals who make threats, commit acts of violence or engage in other conduct defined as workplace violence, will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal as well as criminal prosecution if indicated.

Reporting Suspected Violations: Any act or incident that fits the definition of workplace violence outlined in this policy which occurs on the campus or at off-site locations under the University’s auspices or creates a risk to anyone at these sites must be reported immediately.  All employees are responsible for notifying the administration of any threats that they witness or receive.  Even without a specific threat, all employees should report any behavior that may be regarded as potentially threatening or violent or that could endanger the health and safety of others.

For more detailed instructions and resources regarding the University’s Workplace Violence Policy please contact the Labor Relations at 860-486-5684.

Use of the Social Security Number at the University of Connecticut, Policy on

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Title: Use of the Social Security Number, Policy on
Policy Owner: Information Technology Services / Chief Information Security Officer
Applies to: Faculty, Staff, Students
Campus Applicability: All campuses except UConn Health 
Effective Date: August 30, 2021
For More Information, Contact Director of IT Security, Policy and Quality Assurance
Contact Information: techsupport@uconn.edu or security@uconn.edu 
Official Website: https://security.uconn.edu

PURPOSE 

To protect the confidentiality and privacy of students and employees of the University of Connecticut regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of Social Security numbers. Social Security numbers have been used to uniquely identify students and employees in various University systems. As systems are updated and replaced, the reliance on Social Security numbers should be used only as required. 

APPLIES TO 

This policy applies to all University faculty, staff, students, student employees, volunteers, and contractors who have access to or have been assigned one of the roles defined in this policy. 

POLICY STATEMENT  

In order to protect the Social Security number of its students, staff, faculty and affiliates, the University of Connecticut will: 

  1. Discontinue the collection of Social Security numbers, except where necessary for employment records, financial aid records, and other business and governmental transactions as required by law or to satisfy a business requirement when permitted by law. 
  2. Develop a University of Connecticut identifier to be assigned to all students, faculty, staff and other individuals associated with the University, to uniquely and permanently identify the individual. This identifier will be considered public information and be assigned and distributed to the individual upon initial association with the University. It will be used in all electronic and paper data systems to identify, track and service the individual. 
  3. Ensure that no new systems or technology purchased or developed by the University of Connecticut  use the Social Security number as its primary key to the database, except where required by law. Any exemption to this policy must be approved by the Office of University Compliance. 
  4. Ensure that new systems or technologies purchased or developed by the University of Connecticut will use Social Security numbers as data elements only (not as keys to databases) when required by law or business necessity. Approval by the Council of Data Stewards is required for inclusion of the Social Security number in databases. 
  5. Ensure that all requests, either verbal or written, for which faculty, staff or students are required to provide their Social Security number contain or have appended to them a statement explaining the University’s request (i.e., the legal obligation on which the request is based, if there is one, and how the Social Security Number will be used).  
  6. Ensure that all requests, either verbal or written, for which faculty, staff or students are requested to voluntarily provide their Social Security number contain or have appended to them a statement explaining the University request and its purpose. The statement must indicate that no service or privilege will be withheld upon failure to provide the Social Security number and that the person may use the identifier provided by the University of Connecticut in place of the Social Security number. 
  7. Ensure that any request for any form or document that contains the Social Security number, where the Social Security number is not the primary reason for the request, be accompanied by a statement indicating that the Social Security number is not required and should be blanked out on the form or document prior to being provided. 
  8. Ensure that no new systems purchased or developed by the University of Connecticut display Social Security number visually, whether on computer monitors or on printed forms or other output, unless required by law. 
  9. Access to Social Security numbers in online systems must be restricted as appropriate and visible only for required or approved uses. 

ENFORCEMENT 

Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and the Student Code.  

Questions about this policy or suspected violations may be reported to any of the following: 

Office of University Compliance:  https://compliance.uconn.edu (860-486-2530) 

Information Technology Services Tech Support:   https://techsupport.uconn.edu (860-486-4357) 

Information Security Office: https://security.uconn.edu 

POLICY HISTORY 

Policy created: 08/2008   

Revisions: August 30, 2021  [Approved by President’s Senior Team]

Use of Official Email Lists

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Title: Use of Official Email Lists
Policy Owner: Information Technology Services
Applies to: Faculty, Staff, Students
Campus Applicability:  Storrs and Regionals
Effective Date: December 15, 2008
For More Information, Contact Information Technology Services
Contact Information: (860) 486-4357
Official Website: https://its.uconn.edu/

 

Background and Reasons for the Policy: In January 2001, as part of the University’s ongoing activities to improve communication and leverage its investment in technology, University ITS created Official Email Lists to help the University conduct its business with targeted audiences. In order to ensure that faculty, staff and students would not be inundated with mass e-mailings, oversight procedures were put in place to monitor the email messages being sent via the official email lists.

Purpose of Policy: The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the Official Email Lists are used in a manner consistent with the Electronic Communication policy and that email users are aware of the types of official lists available, the criteria to be used when communicating via the official lists, and the procedures for using the official lists.

Expected Institutional Outcome: It is expected that this policy will insure proper use of Official Email Lists and reduce costs and improve efficiency of information exchange with our students and employees.

Applicability of Policy: This policy applies to all members of the University community.

Definitions:

Official Email Lists: Official Email Lists are involuntary, closed membership, moderated lists created by University ITS. These lists are intended to provide a method for addressing official University announcements to targeted populations of students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, employees, at Storrs, Regional campuses, School of Social Work and Law School via their officially assigned University of Connecticut email address (Personal name). These lists are not intended as discussion (“open forum”) lists.

Subscription to these lists is based on information in either the Student database or the Human Resources database. These lists are refreshed automatically on a regular basis to ensure that membership remains current.

List Moderator: List Moderator is an individual whose job it is to approve or reject messages sent to a moderated list.

Policy Statement: Official Email Lists are available for use by any University unit (department, office, center, etc.) or recognized University organization for the purpose of sending messages that pertain to university work or typical university information such as

  • Normal everyday work activities of the University
  • Messages concerning emergency, health and safety announcements
  • Messages pertaining to matters of university-wide policy
  • Messages of a timely nature having direct impact on large numbers of one or all of the following groups: University faculty, staff and students.

Messages sent to any of the Official Email Lists must emanate from within the UConn domain and be created by an individual with appropriate responsibility to the topic.

Messages submitted for transmission to any of the Official Email Lists will be reviewed for adherence to the criteria for that list by one of the list moderators designated by the Chief Information Officer. To be accepted for posting, messages should adhere to the General Formatting Guidelines. Moderators will not approve any message that does not adhere to the guidelines.

Messages sent to any of the Official Email Lists will be archived and made available for 1 year.

Responsibilities:

The Chief Information Officer is responsible for the oversight of these lists. Technical management of the lists resides in University ITS.

Individuals utilizing official email lists are expected to adhere to all applicable Federal and State statutes and University policies, including the University’s Electronic Communication policy, the Electronic Privacy and Disclaimer Notice policy and the University’s Individual Responsibilities with Respect to Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources policy.

Moderators for the Official Email Lists are responsible for insuring that messages submitted for transmission meet the criteria for the list and adhere to the General Formatting Guidelines.

Enforcement and Review:

This policy will be reviewed on a bi-annual basis.