Hi Angela, This sometimes tends to be one of those "gray areas" where folks aren't sure what can and cannot be done when it comes to sponsorships (whether receiving or paying out university funds). One policy I'll point them too at Indiana University is our "Licensing and Trademark Policy" (go here: http://policies.iu.edu/policies/categories/financial/licensing-trademarks/FIN-LT-licensing-and-trademark-policy.shtml) and direct them to section B "Guidelines for Use of Trademarks"...and you'll see the listing of types of products that higher education institutions usually don't want to have any affiliation with most of the time: These include, but are not limited to:
* Alcohol products * Tobacco products * Illegal drugs products * Inherently dangerous products, including weapons, firearms or explosives * Sexually suggestive products * Products that are or depict racists, sexist, hateful, demeaning or degrading language or statements * Products that use profanity * Gambling-related products * Products that contain statements impugning other universities * Products that present an unacceptable risk of liability * Products that are harmful to the mission or integrity of the institution * Products that contain another entity's registered trademark, unless explicit written permission has been granted from that entity That tends to tamp down any ideas of receiving funds or sponsorship from such business entities. And of course, there is always the "front page test"...as in what will be your institution's response when such an affiliation appears on the front page of the local/national paper. <pause> Not always, but often that gives clarity to executives that consider whether they should (or not) be engaged with such endeavors. Hope that helps. Best, T. Michael Ford Indiana University From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Angela Jackson Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2014 2:10 PM To: '[email protected]' Subject: [acupa-l] Alcohol Policy and sponsorship issue Hello, We are revising our Alcohol Policy and I wanted to know where other institutions have drawn the line with respect to receiving funds or sponsorship from alcohol companies. We are considering limiting or banning sponsorship from these groups and would like to know if anyone has done something similar and what issues they may have faced in doing so. Thank you, Angela M. Jackson, BA, JD | Legal Counsel, Policy University Legal Services | University of Calgary AD 111, 2500 University Drive NW | Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 403.210.9202 NOTE: This e-mail message is intended only for the named recipient(s) and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete this e-mail message along with any attachments. ATTN: Please be aware that when you respond to an ACUPA-L e-mail, the reply will be distributed to the ENTIRE list of members. If you do NOT want to send an e-mail to everyone, please reply directly to the individual who initiated the query (their e-mail address appears in the "From" line of their original e-mail). If you wish to remove yourself from the ACUPA e-mail list, please go to the following website and complete the form. We will remove you from the list within 24 hours, during normal business hours. http://www.acupa.org/MembershipForm_Discontinue.html If you have questions about the ACUPA e-list, please contact Jamie Parris at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]?subject=ACUPA%20e-list%20assistance> or 607-255-6837.
