Collaboration with Outside Entities

Purpose

University labs and personnel are paid for with public funds. Outside entities using university labs and having free access to university personnel can be seen as deriving private gain from public resources. Use of university labs and access to university personnel must benefit the university mission.

Texas State University recognizes the need to collaborate with individuals, institutions, and companies to accomplish our mission in education, research, and public service (economic development?). Such collaborations must be kept at arm’s length in order to preserve academic freedom, to protect the intellectual property of the university, and to proactively prevent any real or perceived private benefit.

Collaboration

Texas state University faculty, staff and students are encouraged to collaborate with knowledgeable individuals, institutions, and companies to further their research and education objectives. Collaborative activities may take place on or off campus, in-person, or via electronic communication.

Prior to collaboration, university employees and students shall execute a non-disclosure agreement with the potential collaborator.

Where proprietary information or technology has been or may be developed, an Intellectual Property Agreement shall be signed by all involved parties.

Publications shall be reviewed for proprietary or patentable data and such information shall be removed pending patent application.

All university employees and students shall disclose all intellectual property to the Office of Technology and Commercialization.

Access to University Facilities

University facilities are for the use of University employees and University students. Organizations and persons who are not employees or students of the university may not access or use university facilities without prior written approval of the Associate Vice President for Research. A facility use agreement or visiting scientist agreement, as appropriate, shall be executed outlining the rights and responsibilities of the parties.

A grant or contract award does not constitute a facility use agreement or a visiting scientist agreement.

Facility use agreements  (under development)

The facility use agreement shall, at a minimum, contain language governing the following: university liability & indemnification, non-disclosure, intellectual property rights, export control, access rules & regulations and fees to be paid by the user.

The facility use agreement must be approved by the Dean and Chair of the department housing the facility and signed by the Associate Vice President for Research.

Visiting Scientist Agreements

Scientists from other institutions and companies may need to visit university labs as part of a collaborative effort.

The Visiting Scientist Agreement shall, at a minimum, contain language governing the following: university liability & indemnification, non-disclosure, intellectual property rights, export control, and access rules & regulations.

The visiting scientist agreement must be approved by the Associate Vice President for Research.