Ohio Administrative Code
Title 3341 - Bowling Green State University
Chapter 3341-1 - Contracts
Section 3341-1-07 - Delegation of contract and signatory authority

Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 3341-1-07

Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024

(A) Policy statement purpose

The purpose of this policy is for the president to sub-delegate, to other university administrators, certain authority to bind the university as vested in the president by the board of trustees. It identifies the university employees who have been sub-delegated the authority to execute contracts and other legal documents that are binding on the university.

Ohio law vests the governance of Bowling Green state university in the board of trustees. The board of trustees has adopted by-laws which provide for the appointment of the university president who serves as the university's executive officer. Among the powers the board has resolved to delegate to the president is the authority: to bind the university to certain contracts; to execute other legal documents or obligations; and to take certain personnel actions. This delegation excludes those contracts and actions that by law or board action are reserved to the board, which are listed in paragraph (F) of this rule. In this policy the president sub-delegates the contract making and other signatory authority to specific authorized university officials for each contract and legal document type specified.

The university shall not be bound to any contract or legal document or other obligation made by any individual acting outside the express authority stated by this policy notwithstanding any representations or misrepresentations that may be made about the individual's apparent authority. University employees or agents signing agreements or otherwise attempting to bind the university without first obtaining authority may be personally liable for that contract or legal document, may be subject to legal action, and may also be subject to university disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

(B) Policy scope

This policy applies to all university employees when acting on behalf of the university.

This policy does not apply to signatures or approvals required for internal university transactions and processes (e.g., time reports, purchase card (p-card) transactions, space reservations, or purchase orders, etc.)

Principal delegations of contract signatory authority are indicated in paragraph (E) of this rule. Sub-delegations of that authority may be made only where authorized by this policy. When permitted, sub-delegations may be made only through written letter to the individual.

Authority to sign a legal document or bind the university to a contract of a type specified in paragraph (E) of this rule is granted to the persons holding the applicable BGSU position identified in that paragraph.

All contracts for purchases of goods or services, including grant-funded purchases, must follow rule 3341-6-38 of the Administrative Code (Purchasing, sales, and disposal of university property and asset control) and other applicable university policies. Having signatory authority does not exempt a purchase from following university procurement policies and processes.

Questions concerning the scope and application of the policy should be directed to the office of general counsel. Specific operational questions may be directed to the employee's immediate supervisor.

(C) Policy definitions

(1) A "contract" is any agreement between the university and another party or parties which is enforceable at law. A university contract will most often involve employment, the sale or purchase of goods, services or real property, or the creation of legal relationships with other entities.

(2) A "legal document" is any document requiring a signature which is not a contract, that expresses an official action of the university. Executing a legal document changes the university's legal relationship with that person or entity.

(3) "Professional Services" or "Consulting" are services involving special training, skills or experience that the university procures from outside sources. Examples of professional services providers include architects, designers, and engineers.

(D) Policy

The authority to sign contracts and other legal documents not retained by the board is delegated to the university president who may delegate that authority to specified university officers through this policy.

(1) Delegation to a position. The delegations of authority set forth in this policy are to the position, not to any specific individual. A person in the particular position on an acting or interim appointment assumes the same signing authority as if he or she held the position on a permanent basis. Sub-delegations of signatory authority as permitted by paragraph (E) of this rule must be in writing and maintained by the individuals making and receiving the sub-delegation with a copy to the office of general counsel.

(2) Implied representations by signing. When a person signs a contract or legal document, the signer makes the following implied representations to the university:
(a) The signer is acting within their delegated authority.

(b) The signer has performed an appropriate investigation and inquiry and is satisfied that:
(i) The obligations or promises set out in the contract or legal document conform to university policies, including, but not limited to, policies relating to purchasing and restricting business transactions with university employees and their family members and business associates.

(ii) The obligations assumed by the university in the contract or legal document are consistent with the university's mission, including its business purposes.

(iii) There is no real or potential conflict of interest or there has been adequate disclosure and vetting of any potential conflict of interest.

(iv) The benefits to the university from the transaction are necessary, appropriate, and outweigh the potential risks to the university.

(v) The signer has consulted with appropriate personnel within the university (e.g., finance and administration, purchasing, general counsel, risk management, etc.)

(vi) The agreement does not conflict with existing university agreements.

(vii) The signer has complied with all applicable pre-contract procedures, such as competitive bidding procedures.

(3) Signing own name. Those employees delegated or sub-delegated the authority to sign contracts or legal documents must sign their own names and titles.

(4) Electronic affirmation allowed. When electronic affirmation to bind BGSU to an obligation is used, the person authorizing the obligation must memorialize the essential terms of the transaction in writing or in a secure electronic fashion approved by the chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration. Printing out a receipt for an on-line purchase provides an adequate memorial of the transaction.

(5) Conflicts. A person with delegated authority may not sign any contract or legal document or obligate the university to an agreement in which they may have a significant personal interest preventing objective analysis or may receive a personal advantage or benefit. Contracts and legal documents in this category must first be reviewed to determine whether the conflict is manageable and for compliance with other university policy and Ohio ethics law, and if acceptable must be authorized by the person with authority at the next highest organizational level.

(6) Contracts must be in writing.

(E) Delegations

In addition to the university president, the persons holding the following positions are hereby delegated authority to sign contracts and other legal documents on behalf of Bowling Green state university. No other persons are authorized to sign contracts and other legal documents for or on behalf of the university. No sub-delegations of authority other than those listed below may be made without written approval of the president.

Contract type

Signature authority

Accreditation agreements

Provost

Advertising contracts

Contracts less than $50,000: Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Brand Strategy Firelands advertising contracts less than $15,000 - Dean of Firelands College

Affiliation agreements, except clinical affiliation agreements

Provost or delegee

Articulation agreements

Provost or delegee

Athletic events (game contracts, broadcast, etc.)

Contracts less than $50,000: Director of Athletics or delegee

Clinical affiliation agreements

Provost or Deans of the Colleges

Club sports (excluding captial improvements, maintenance, custodial, etc.) (For facility use see facility rentals)

Contracts less than $50,000; Director of student engagement

College credit plus program agreements

Provost or delegee

Commercialization agreements for university intellectual property not subject to the patent policy

VPR

Commercialization agreements for university intellectual property that is subject to the patent policy

See paragraph (F) of this rule

NOTE: Commercialization agreements are with faculty-led start-up businesses

Construction contracts (new construction and alteration of existing facilities)

CFO (upon Board approval as required)

Consulting contracts where the university is purchasing consulting services.

Provost or CFO or Purchasing Department per CFO delegation

Consulting contracts where the university is providing consulting services or testing

Provost, CFO, VPP, or VPR

Continuing education instructor/ non-credit instructor contracts

Deans of the Colleges

Copyright licensing or transfer

VPR

Dining agreements, institutional

CFO or Delegee

Easements for highway or utility purposes; transfers of jurisdiction between state entities

CFO

Employee benefit agreements

CFO

Employment actions (including appointments and contracts)

By type and subject to compliance with university budget control procedures:

Faculty - Deans of the Colleges (with tenure and promotion actions subject to Board of Trustees approval)

Administrative Staff assigned to the Colleges- Deans of the Colleges

Administrative Staff within their respective areas of responsibility - Vice president/CDBO/CHRO/Chief Well-Being Officer/Director of Athletics

All Classified Staff and all non-continuing appointments - CHRO

Vice Presidents - See paragraph (F) of this rule

Employment actions not listed here or in Section (F) - President or delegee

Enrollment management services contracts

Less than $100,000 -- Vice President for Enrollment Management

Equipment rental

CFO or delegee

Equipment rental for academic use

Deans of the Colleges

Equipment rental for student organizations

Less than $15,000 --Director of Student Engagement

$15,000 or more -- VPSES

Events, conferences, off campus (facility rentals, transportation, catering etc.).

Alumni and Advancement - VPUA

Academic or Student Affairs; Diversity and Belonging

Event costs $15,000 or more- Provost

Event costs less than $15,000 - Deans of the Colleges (academic) AVSES or delegee (student affairs) CDBO (diversity/belonging)

All others - CFO or delegee

Facility rentals (BGSU facility licensed to outside parties)

Facility Manager* or delegee

*Ice Arena, Field House, Rec Center, Stroh All other facilities should be rented through Conference and Event Services

NOTE: When rental involves a performing artist, defer to performing artist paragraph of this rule

Financial management, investment advisor contracts

Upon Board authorization, CFO

Financial obligation contracts (e.g., contracts related to issuance of debt.)

Upon Board authorization, CFO

Fire school

One Waiver and indemnification for Loan of Academy Equipment - CFO

Two Memo of Understanding for use of equipment - CFO

Three Charter for Fire Training from Ohio Department of Public Safety - Provost

Four Training proposals/bids - Dean

Five Contract for use (destruction) of structure for fire training - CFO

Six Application for Burn Permit (EPA) -CFO

Seven Instructor Contracts - Dean

Eight Lease or Purchase of equipment (Not paid for with purchasing card/P-card.) -CFO or delegee.

Gift agreements or pledges

VPUA

Goods or services contracts through BGSU purchasing department

CFO or delegee

Grant agreements

VPR or delegee

Grant proposal submissions

VPR or Director, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research

Independent contractor agreements (speakers, individual providers of professional services not otherwise provided for)

Fee $15,000 or more - Provost or CFO;

Purchasing Department per CFO delegation

Fee less than $15,000 -

Dean, Executive Director, or AVP

Student Engagement - VPSES or delegee Diversity and Belonging - CDBO

Firelands - Dean or delegee

CFO or delegee

Insurance contract renewals and/or changes

CFO or delegee

Insurance claim releases (university as releasor)

CFO or delegee

Labor agreements

See Paragraph (F) of this rule

Leases: capital or long-term lease of real property, space or equipment (university as lessor or lessee)

CFO

License agreements allowing use of university land (other than facility rentals)

CFO or delegee

Library acquisitions

Dean of Libraries

Maintenance and service of equipment and physical plant

CFO or delegee, except:

Maintenance and repair of scientific/research/instructional equipment

Less than $15,000 - Deans of the Colleges

$15,000 to $100,000 - Provost

$100,000 or more - CFO

Material transfer agreements

VPREE or Director, Office of Technology Transfer and Services

Medical devices purchased by speech and hearing clinic for dispensing

Chair, Communications Sciences

Music commissioning and publication agreements

Less than $15,000 - Dean of the College of Musical Arts

$15,000 or more - Provost

Patent licensing or transfer; including licensing or transfer of rights for other discoveries or inventions

See paragraph (F) of this rule

Note: Licensing or transfer to a faculty-led start-up is by a commercialization agreement

Performing artist/promoter contracts

By venue and by type

Stroh Center or other Athletics facilities - Director of Athletics

College of Musical Arts venues - Dean of the College of Musical Arts

Wolfe Center for the Performing Arts/School of Art venues - Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Bowen-Thompson Student Union - CFO

Student Activities - VPSES or delegee

Diversity and Belonging - CDBO

Firelands - Dean of Firelands College

Professional associations --institutional memberships

Academic memberships - Provost or delegee

All others - Vice-President, CDBO, CFO, CHRO or delegee

Real estate purchase or lease

CFO per Board Resolution currently in effect

Recreation and wellness (excluding capital improvements, maintenance, custodial, etc.) (for facility use see facility rentals)

Contracts less than $50,000: Chief Well-Being Officer or delegee

Research and sponsored projects

VPR or Director, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research

Research compliance

VPR or delegee

Residence hall license agreements with students/parents

CFO or delegee

Sale of surplus property

CFO or delegee

Service agreements other than consulting

CFO or delegee; Purchasing Department per

CFO delegation

Software/SAAS/Web-Based Service license/Subscription agreements and all ITS related services

Less than $100,000 - Chief Information Officer or purchasing department per CFO delegation

$100,000 or more - CFO

Technology transfer agreements for technology not subject to the patent policy

VPR or Director, Office of Technology Transfer and Services

Other contracts and legal documents not otherwise provided for

President's written delegation; also see paragraph (D)(1) of this rule

(F) Contracts requiring board involvement

The following types of contracts require reporting to or authorization or approval by the board of trustees.

Contract Type

Signature Authority

Commercialization agreements for university intellectual property that is subject to the patent policy

President after reporting to Board of Trustees; after this reporting, President may delegate to VPREE

NOTE: Commercialization agreements are with faculty-led start-up businesses

Employment actions (including appointments and contracts)

Vice Presidents - President (subject to Board of Trustees approval)

Labor agreements

President after receiving Board authorization

Patent licensing or transfer; including licensing or transfer of rights for other discoveries or inventions

President after reporting to Board of Trustees

Note: Licensing or transfer to a faculty-led start-up is by a commercialization agreement

(G) General counsel review and approval

Contracts involving the following subjects must be reviewed and approved as to legal form by the office of general counsel. No contract of these types may be signed on behalf of the university unless it has first been approved as to legal form by the office of the general counsel and that approval is indicated on the face of the contract or otherwise signified in an auditable manner. Those purchases that are authorized for purchase on a p-card are not subject to this requirement.

(1) Contracts involving the sale or lease or licensing of real property;

(2) Contracts for which the total financial value is greater than one hundred thousand dollars;

(3) Contracts with a term greater than two years;

(4) Contracts for affiliation with other institutions or for foreign study;

(5) Contracts for insurance;

(6) Employment agreements providing for deferred compensation benefits other than those administered by human resources;

(7) Contracts involving patent, copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property ownership or licensing;

(8) Gift agreements; and

(9) Contracts containing clauses related to:
(a) Defense, indemnification, or hold harmless provisions

(b) Limiting the amount or types of liability of the other contracting party, its subcontractors, agents, or successors if the contract amount exceeds ten thousand dollars

(c) Establishing the choice of law, forum, or dispute resolution means (such as arbitration)

(d) Automatic renewal if the annual fee exceeds ten thousand dollars

(e) The university providing or requiring proof of insurance

(f) The acceptance of another party's risk or liability or requiring the university to provide a warranty

(g) Confidentiality, unless there is an exception for public records requests

(h) Sovereign immunity.

(H) General counsel review not required

Contracts in the following categories do not require general counsel review prior to execution if they satisfy the following requirements:

(1) Contracts that follow exactly a form which has been previously approved, as a form, by the office of general counsel (for example, a purchase order form to which no special language has been added, or categories of contracts which, in the general counsel's written opinion, do not require legal review); and

(2) Contracts that the office of the general counsel has declined to approve but that are approved by either
(a) The president, or

(b) Any two vice presidents when they are satisfied that, as a matter of policy, signing the contract will be in the best interest of the university.

(I) Abbreviations:

(1) AVP - associate vice president

(2) CDBO - chief diversity and belonging officer

(3) CFO - chief financial officer and vice president for finance and administration

(4) CHRO - chief human resources officer

(5) VPP - vice president for partnerships

(6) VPR - vice president for research

(7) VPSES - vice president for student engagement and success

(8) VPUA - vice president university advancement

(J) This university policy supersedes all previous university policies and communications concerning contract and signatory authority.

(K) Related policies (rules of the Administrative Code)

(1) 3341-1-02 "Code of ethics and conduct policy"

(2) 3341-6-38 "purchasing, sales, and disposal of university property and asset control"

(3) 3341-7-02 "copyright"

(4) 3341-7-03 "patent policy"

(5) 3341-7-06 "commercialization"

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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