New IP policy draft hits
Faculty Council

By Michael Terrazas mterraz@emory.edu

First on the agenda at the March 20 Faculty Council meeting were remarks from President Bill Chace, which he delivered—and which were met—with no small amount of remorse. Chace announced the departure of Provost Rebecca Chopp (click here for full story), who is leaving the University to become dean of the Yale Divinity School.

Chopp, who was also in attendance, said she is sad to be leaving Emory but could not ignore the calling of her vocation. “This is a chance to help define the next century of theological education,” she said. Chopp, who arrived at the University in 1985, added, “I feel like I’ve grown up at Emory.”

Next on the agenda was Adam Max from the Office of Admissions, who called the council’s attention to “Beyond the Basics,” a June 22–23 workshop sponsored by his office and the Association of Emory Alumni designed to educate parents of college-bound children on the ins and outs of the college admissions process. Max passed out brochures on the workshop and invited all faculty to attend. More information is available at www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/BTB.html.

Reporting for the Distinguished Faculty Lecture committee, Chair-elect Frank Vandall presented the names of three finalists for the 2002 lecture. The council voted unanimously to forward the three-person slate to Chace, who will make a final decision and invite the selected nominee to deliver next year’s lecture.

Harriet King then presented the new draft of the intellectual property policy being developed by the provost’s office and the Office of Research Administration. King said the new draft—which is available at the provost’s website at http://www.emory.edu/PROVOST/policy_bylaws/ draft_cover.htm—addresses several concerns about the previous iteration; it states explicitly that the “traditional rights” of faculty members regarding intellectual property will not be infringed; it eliminates the “major contributor” concept; it sets new percentages for revenue distribution; it addresses the concept of “new media”; and it allows students to participate (with the approval of their dean) in research pursuant to an intellectual property rights agreement.

Council members had several questions about revenue distribution, definitions of new media, faculty “account shares” and other aspects of the policy. Chair Claire Sterk advised council members to alert their constituents about the new draft and have them communicate concerns to King.

Frank Stout, vice president of research administration, briefed the council on an initiative examining the feasibility of combining the Investigative Review Board and Health Sciences’ Human Investigations Committee into a single group responsible for overseeing and approving research involving human subjects. Stout said he would return to the council next month with a set of proposals.

To close the meeting, Sterk announced that Gary Smith will not become chair of the faculty hearing committee, as previously reported, and a search is under way for a new chair to replace Polly Price.

The next Faculty Council meeting will be held April 10 at 3:15 p.m. in 400 Administration.

If you have a question or concern for Faculty Council, send e-mail to Sterk at csterk@sph.emory.edu.