Office of the Provost

University-Wide Committees

A conflict of interest occurs when there is a divergence between an individual's private interests and his or her professional obligations to the University and its constituents. The Provost serves as convener and chair of the University-wide committee, which consists of, among others:

• at least five full-time faculty members;
• the deans of research of the School of Medicine & Dentistry and Arts, Sciences, & Engineering;
• the Director of the Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA);
• the Director of the Office of Technology Transfer (Medical Center);
• the Director of the Office of Human Subjects Protection;
• the Vice Provost for Technology Transfer Policy;
• the Chair of the URMC Conflict of Interest Advisory Group;
• the Co-Chair of the Reporting and Management Committee for Clinical COI (REMACC);
• attorneys from the Office of University Counsel and General Counsel (Medical Center).

This is a high profile committee, asked to deliberate policies, practices, and conflict management plans that test the University’s professionalism and reputation while supporting the interests of faculty and their mission. 

Questions about the Conflict of Interest Committee can be directed to Associate Vice President Gunta Liders.

* Dean's offices: The Annual Summary of Faculty COI Reports were due June 1, 2011. Contact Gunta Liders for more information.

• Conflict of Interest Policy
• Memo from the Provost
• Conflict Disclosure form
• Annual Summary of Faculty COI Report form
• List of COI committee members
• Process for Membership Selection and Service
• Consulting guidelines

Additional policy information and forms can be found on the Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA) Web site.

Technology Transfer Policy Committee

The Tech Transfer Policy Committee was launched in early 2006 from a recommendation of a Steering Committee to the President. The general purpose of the committee is to coordinate technology transfer, industry-sponsored research, and intellectual property policy issues across the University to assure consistency and uniformity. More specifically, the responsibilities of the TTPC are to (i) monitor the application of the University’s policies related to intellectual property and technology transfer, (ii) periodically review the operating results of the Office of Technology Transfer, the Office of Corporate Alliances, and ORPA (as its performance relates to industry-sponsored research administration), (iii) monitor the collaboration between technology transfer offices, the Office of Corporate Alliance, ORPA, and the Advancement Offices Corporate Relations division, and (iv) review, monitor, and develop the role the University plays in technology commercialization, including company start-up activities.

The committee members are Ralph Kuncl, Steve Dewhurst, and Paul Slattery.

Ex Officio members are Peter Robinson, Gunta Liders, Marjorie Hunter, and Gail Norris.

University Council on Sustainability

Data Security Taskforce

Members of the Data Security Taskforce review current policies and practices with respect to privacy compliance and risk assessment.  The Taskforce recommends improvements; develops new policies and practices; and coordinating efforts across the University, assists with the implementation of new policies and procedures through education and training programs. Meetings, chaired by Provost Ralph Kuncl, occur on a monthly basis.

• Taskforce members
• 2009-2010 Annual Report for the Data Security Taskforce

Middle States Accreditation

Every 10 years the University of Rochester is required to undergo a thorough self-study to ensure it is providing students, faculty, staff, and alumni with the highest quality educational experiences possible.

The University completed its decennial evaluation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2004, and its 5-Year Interim Report in 2009. The next decennial review is scheduled for 2014.

Questions about the Middle States accreditation process should be directed to the University's Middle States liaison,

• Middle States Self-Study Document: "Decentralization and Curricula at the University of Rochester"

Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees

The University grants honorary degrees to individuals of great scholarly, artistic, public service, and/or philanthropic accomplishment. All honorary degree nominations are voted on by the Faculty Committee on Honorary Degrees, which is composed of a representative from each school of the University. Approved nominations are forwarded to the President and the Board of Trustees for final approval.

Committee members are nominated by their respective dean and serve a three-year term. Members of the committee for 2010-2011 are:

• Jean Barr (Eastman)
• Dan Horsky (Simon School)
• David Hursh (Warner School) -- chair
• Jane Liesveld (Medicine & Dentistry)
• Renato Perucchio (Engineering)
• Tom Slaughter (Arts & Sciences)
• Mary Wilde (Nursing)

Associate Provost Kathleen Moore serves as staff to the committee.

Multidisciplinary Fund Review Committee

Deans’ Committee on Administrative Practices (DCAP)

It has become useful to convene all the academic deans of each school to discuss the several administrative issues they share in their day-to-day roles as leaders for faculty matters. The kinds of topics they consider include such things as faculty career development, standards for letters of appointments, promotions issues, conflicts of commitment, conflicts of interest, faculty recruitment and retention, retirement, the university faculty handbook, school-based regulations, and legal matters.