Legal Topics

UNCW is committed to and will provide equal educational and employment opportunity. UNCW is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Relevant UNC System Policies

• Policy on Equality of Opportunity in the University (The Code Section 103)
• SHRA Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
• Unlawful Workplace Harassment
• Reasonable Accommodation
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Fundamentals

Contacts

EEO/AA Officer

Ms. Lori Preiss
Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources
910.962.3274
preissl@uncw.edu
Administrative Annex 1068
Campus Box 5960

Title IX Coordinator

Terrell N. Nicholson, J.D.
Director of Title IX and Clery Compliance
910.962.3557
nicholsont@uncw.edu
Hoggard Hall 244
Campus Box 5699

ADA Compliance Officer / Section 504 Coordinator

Dr. Brian Victor
Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Campus Box 5982
DePaolo Hall 1007
910.962.7771
Email: ADA-504-Coordinator@uncw.edu

• Use of Content: In Classroom or a Blackboard Teaching Environment 
• When You Need Permission & How To Get It 
• Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) 
• Illegal File Sharing and Downloading at UNCW and the DMCA 
• Copyright Essentials for Educators 

1. Section 603 Hearings for Discharge or Serious Sanctions
   1.  UNC Code Section 603
   2.  Faculty Handbook 
2.  Section 604 Hearings on Nonreappointment
   1. UNC Code Section 604
   2. UNC Policy 101.3.1 
   3. Faculty Handbook 
3. Section 605 Hearings on Termination
   1.  UNC Code Section 605 
   2. Faculty Handbook 
4. Section 607 Hearings on Grievance
   1.  UNC Code Section 607
5.  Mediation 

• Ethics Holiday Newsletter (State Ethics Commission, 2021) 
• NC State Ethics Commission (external link) 

For information regarding UNCW insurance matters, faculty, staff and students should call UNCW's Financial Services' office or browse Financial Services.

• NCGS Chapter 116
• The UNC Policy Manual
• UNCW Policies

• Explanation of Permanent Residency Process at UNCW
• Retention Schedule (NC State Archives) (Updated February 2021)
• Forms for Protecting Intellectual Property
• Protecting Intellectual Property
• 04.150 Student Records and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Policy

As soon as you believe you have a potentially patentable invention or discovery, you should notify the UNCW Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). OTT is located in Hoggard Hall 172. You may email Dr. Stephen Meinhold or call x23223. They will explain not only how technology transfer is handled and processed at UNCW, but the protection measure, services and support that can be provided by the university in exploring potential applications for the subject discovery or invention.

The OTT staff can also assist you with the Record of Invention form - the first step in initiating the process - a pdf fillable form that will provide the information necessary to evaluate patentability, inventorship, scope of protection, and obligations to research sponsors external to the institution. 

Please be aware that information regarding an invention must be kept confidential until a patent application is filed or certain patent rights may be lost - this may include a short delay in publishing findings, research results, and data. Information you provide on the ROI remains confidential, however, its disclosure to any individuals or entities outside the University without a signed non-disclosure agreement could result in the loss of rights in the subject invention.

An "enabling disclosure" constitutes any release of information enabling the inventor or others skilled in the art or discipline to reduce the invention to practice without any further exercise of inventive skill. A prejudicial disclosure can be easily avoided by the advance execution of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) by individuals or entities receiving information or materials associated with the subject discovery. Additionally, a patent filing protects the conception, and establishes a priority date and grace period for the invention's protection.

It is, therefore, critical to avoid discussing the invention or releasing to any party 'enabling disclosures', including the completed ROI - this also includes the research sponsor until certain confidentiality agreements have been executed by all parties. Material Transfer and NDA Agreements may be accessed from the General Counsel website. You may contact the General Counsel's Office to help with information, advice and questions regarding the content of confidentiality agreements.

The following information regarding Trademark and Servicemark basics can assist you in evaluating whether the expense of pursuing a registered mark is appropriate (costs generally range from $1500 to $3500 for a registered mark). Please do not attempt to file for a mark on your own; contact the General Counsel's Office. We can assist you in evaluating the efficacy of registering versus simple usage in commerce absent a registration, and if desirable, facilitate the registration filing with trademark counsel.