Legal Affairs Training Session Archives

FMLA Essentials Part I: What You Need to Know About Your Rights and Responsibilities

• November 20, 2024; download materials
• Presented by André Lindsay, Senior Associate General Counsel; Krissy Kaylor, Director of Benefits; and Maria Sanchez, Benefits Consultant
• Taking time off for medical needs, family care, or bonding with a newborn can feel overwhelming -- especially with the complexity of FMLA policies. Whether you need full-time or intermittent leave, understanding your rights and responsibilities as an employee can ease the process. Please join the Legal and Benefits Offices for a two-part, interactive FMLA refresher. In Session I, we will cover essential information every employee should know to protect their rights, ensure proper leave documentation, and streamline the HR process.
• Session II (TBA) will be tailored to supervisors, with a focus on their unique responsibilities (full description coming soon).

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Understanding the UNC System's New Equality Policy (Virtual Town Hall)

• September 23, 2024
• Hosted in partnership with Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Sarah Edwards, Jennifer Troyer, and Kevin Bailey

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Guidelines for Free Expression on Campus (Virtual Town Hall)

• September 20, 2024
• Hosted in partnership with Office of Safety and Security 
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Sarah Edwards, Chris Gonyar, and NiCole Lynch

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Avoiding the Return to Work Quagmire: Do's and Don'ts When Returning from a Medical Leave of Absence

• May 30, 2024; download materials
• Presented by André Lindsay, Senior Associate General Counsel, and Deidra Harris-Lumpkins, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources and University Affirmative Action Officer
• Join the presenters as they discuss what steps employees and managers are expected to undertake when an employee is about to return to work after being on FMLA or another approved medical leave of absence. Learn about the documentation that is required and the type of communication that is expected to occur between the employee, the manager and the Human Resources Department to accommodate a smooth transition back to the workplace after the expiration of leave. 

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Safety-Related Communications: Clery and Beyond

• April 24, 2024; download materials
• Presented by Jeff Baker, Chief of Police; Chris Gonyar, Director of the Office of Emergency Management; Christy Jackson, Deputy Chief Communications Officer and Executive Director of Strategic Communications; and Sarah Edwards, Deputy General Counsel
• The federal law known as the Clery Act requires the University to issue timely warnings and emergency notifications to the campus community in certain situations.  The University also recognizes that circumstances outside those legal requirements often warrant campus-wide messages.  Join the speakers as they discuss both the legal and the practical parameters of safety communications and how those guidelines are implemented at UNC Charlotte.

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Taking Flight: Soaring Through Civic Engagement During the 2024 Election Season

• Tuesday, March 12, 11:30am - 12:30pm; download materials
• Presented by Dr. Tamara Johnson, Director of Engaged Scholarship, and Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel and Director of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance
• At UNC Charlotte, everyone can learn about and be a part of important discussions and processes that shape our society. The general election is in November, so it's important to think about resources that can help you get involved in your community and in democracy. Join Dr. Tamara Johnson, Director of Engaged Scholarship, and Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel and Director of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance, as they talk about how UNC Charlotte helps students, faculty, and staff learn about civic engagement and voting. This training will also discuss what it means, as a University employee, to participate in political activities.

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Deal or No Deal? Tips and Tricks for Negotiating Research Agreements

• February 29, 2024; download materials
• Presented by Isabel Alele, Associate General Counsel, and Brad Fach, Assistant Director of the Office of Research Commercialization and Development
• This session addresses common issues relating to the negotiation of research agreements. The speakers will provide an overview of the University's contract checklist, the basics of contract formation, and other negotiating parameters. There will be specific focus on issues relating to research agreements, including intellectual property, confidentiality, and publication restrictions.

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Records Management Spring Cleaning – It’s That Time Again!

• January 30, 2024; download materials
• Presented by Tina Dadio, Public Records Officer/Legal Specialist; Maya Hood, Paralegal; Katie Howell, University Archivist
• Are you ready to come clean? Do you have records gathering dust? It’s time to tidy up. We will discuss disposing of records that no longer have administrative value and making space for records of current and continuing value. We will review the North Carolina Public Records Act requiring agencies to retain public records and prohibit the destruction EXCEPT following the guidelines established by the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (Records Retention and Disposition Schedule). We will discuss best practices for reviewing your files annually.  How to determine what should be destroyed? What should be transferred to the University Archives? What about litigation holds? What about digital spring cleaning? Join us for an in-depth presentation on cleaning out your files.
• Additional video resources:
  • How to Transfer to University Archives
  • How to Transfer Digital Files from Google Drive

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Leadership Insights: Identifying Organizational Trends and Building Practical Strategies

• December 5, 2023; download materials
• Presented by Scott Deyo, University Ombuds, and Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel and Director of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance
• UNC Charlotte's strategic plan includes a commitment to integrity and respect:  ensuring the highest academic, professional, and ethical standards and a collegial culture that embraces different perspectives, civil discourse, and free expression, where all University members are treated with respect, fairness, and dignity.  In this session, the University Ombuds and Director of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance share issues and trends impacting the workplace and the University policies and resources that both offices use when working toward solutions. In addition, they share their expertise, insights, and strategies for handling particularly complex situations.

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Hot Off the Press: Legislative Updates

• September 28, 2023; download materials
• Presented by: Anna Helms, Director of Constituent Relations, and Sarah Edwards, Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel
• The presenters review recently enacted state laws with implications for university operations and the campus community.  Topics covered include the state budget, transgender students in athletics, compelled speech, and more! 

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Great Expectations: A Faculty Guide to Setting Syllabus Policies

• August 8, 2023; download materials
• Presented by Amy S. Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel, and Leslie Zenk, Assistant Provost
• By including clear policies in the course syllabus, faculty members can effectively state their expectations for classroom behavior, and students will be duly notified of those expectations at the outset of the course. In addition, including informational notices in the syllabus is an effective way to communicate with students about campus resources and assistance. In this session, the presenters review basic legal guidelines for setting classroom policies, highlight some recommended syllabus policies and notices, and explain when and why certain syllabus policies are required.

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U.S. Supreme Court Update

• July 19, 2023; download materials
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, and Sarah Edwards, Associate Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and Deputy General Counsel
• The presenters review recent U.S. Supreme Court cases with implications for university operations and the campus community, with a particular focus on the decision relating to race-conscious admissions.

Using UNC Charlotte Logos, Trade Name, and Trademarks: Who Needs a License and Why?

• June 8, 2023; download materials
• Presented by Rachel Skipworth, University Licensing Program Manager, and Amy Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel
• Did you know that any merchandise (including, but not limited to clothing, hats, mugs, games, sports equipment, decals, etc.) bearing UNC Charlotte logos, trade name, or trademarks must be produced by an approved and licensed vendor, regardless of the purpose or use of the items? This session introduces and reviews the new University Policy 601.17, Policy on Licensing of University-Owned Trademarks, which sets standards and procedures for the responsible use of the University’s logos, trade name, and trademarks on any item. The presenters explain what trademark licensing is and why it's important. They discuss the University's license types, who needs a license, how to get a license, and when royalties must be paid. Finally, they review some helpful FAQs about trademarks and licensing.

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The Evolving Landscape of Discrimination Law and University Policy

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Niner Nation at Work: Considerations for Hiring and Leading UNC Charlotte's Student Employees

• March 30, 2023; download materials
• Presented by Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel and Interim Director of Ethics, Policy, & Compliance; Tarek Elshayeb, Director, Office of International Programs, International Student and Scholar Office; Dr. Julie Goodliffe, Assistant Dean for Graduate Funding and Research, The Graduate School; and Teresa Shook, Student Employment Coordinator, Department of Talent Acquisition & Compliance
• The Office of Legal Affairs collaborates with campus experts to highlight parameters and practical considerations when hiring student employees.  Through this training, participants will leave with the information necessary to support students’ important contributions in furthering the University’s vision to be a globally recognized, emerging top-tier research university driving discovery and innovation, while advancing student access and social mobility, nurturing talent, fostering excellence, and ensuring equity.

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Navigating Medical Leaves of Absence

• February 23, 2023; download materials
• Presented by André Lindsay, Associate General Counsel, Cindy Edwards, Director of Employee Relations, and Marina LeLeux, Benefits Counselor
• Employees, do you know what your responsibilities are when taking a medical leave of absence? Supervisors, do you know what's required of you when your employees are on medical leave? This program will cover relevant University policies, and explain employees’ obligations when taking and while on a medical leave of absence. The program will also cover supervisors’ responsibilities and best practices to support their employees while they are on medical leave and ensure a smooth transition back to work.

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Committing to the University's Standards of Ethical Conduct

• January 31, 2023; download materials
• Presented by Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel and Interim Director of the Office of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance
• University Policy 804, Standards of Ethical Conduct, describes UNC Charlotte’s commitment to ethical, legal, and professional behavior, both inside and outside the University.  It applies to all members of the University community, but can often raise more questions than answers.  This session explores each of the Policy's eleven standards, and some practical examples of what that means for you, a proud member of Niner Nation!

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FERPA Basics and Beyond

• November 30, 2022; download materials
• Presented by Tina Dadio, University Public Records Officer and Legal Specialist
• This presentation provides a refresher course on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and focuses on the rules for protection and disclosure of student information. The session also reviews the intersection between FERPA and other laws, including the North Carolina Public Records Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  We look at the similarities and differences between FERPA and HIPAA, and situations under which one or both may apply.  We learn about what is and is not considered an "education record" and why --- and what are some exceptions. 

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Is Anything I Say, Send, or Save at Work Private?! 

• October 25, 2022; download materials
• Presented by Sarah Edwards, Senior Associate General Counsel
• Have you ever wondered whether labeling an email “Confidential” really matters or how private your conversations with an attorney really are?  This session explores what expectation of privacy faculty and staff should have in their email communications, electronic files, and office space at the university as well as the factors that govern university legal counsel’s confidentiality obligations. 

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Hot Off the Press: Legislative and Supreme Court Updates

• September 6, 2022; download materials
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, and Anna Helms, Assistant Director of Constituent Relations
• The presenters review new legislation as well as recent and pending U.S. Supreme Court cases with implications for university operations and the campus community. Topics to be covered include the state budget, religious expression, and much more! 

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Let’s Make a Deal: Dos and Don’ts of Negotiating University Contracts

• June 21, 2022; download materials
• Presented by Isabel Alele, Assistant General Counsel, and Scott Brechtel, Director of Materials Management
• This session provides a review of the University's contract checklist, including a discussion of the basics of contract review, relevant state law, and negotiating requirements. We also consider who is permitted to sign different types of contracts and whom to contact depending on your contract's subject matter.

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When (and How) to Consider the Criminal History of Employees and Job Applicants

• Thursday, April 21, 2022; download materials
• Presented by Sarah Edwards, Senior Associate General Counsel, and André Lindsay, Associate General Counsel
• Join the presenters as they discuss relevant statutes and guidance that define the legal parameters for considering an applicant's or employee's criminal past when making employment-related decisions.  The presenters will also discuss significant court cases and best practices in this area as well as walk through the recent revisions to University Policy 101.23, Employment-Related Background Checks and Criminal Activity Reporting.  

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When Abuse Goes Digital: Skills to Respond and Prevent Harm

• Part 1: Tuesday, March 15, 2022; Part 2: Thursday, March 24, 2022
• Presented by Adam Dodge, founder of EndTAB
• Abuse has gone digital. Today, we are spending more time online and on devices than ever before, which has created new safety risks for students as dating and sexual violence are frequently occurring in online spaces. As such, it has become increasingly important to develop skills that prioritize our digital safety. In Part 1 of this 2-part series, we explored how we can narrow the digital divide with students by centering digital safety in our work.  This starts with understanding how anyone can address common forms of tech-enabled harm like unauthorized account access, nonconsensual tracking and emerging issues like AirTags and stalkerware.  In Part 2 of this 2-part series, we explored how, through safety planning and advocacy, anyone can address common forms of tech-enabled harm like image-based abuse, online dating abuse and impersonation, along with emerging issues like deepfakes and misuse of smart devices. 

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Who's Steering the Author Ship?:  Introducing the Authorship Policy & Resolution Procedures

• January 26, 2022; download materials
• Presented by Lisa Rasmussen, PhD, Professor of Philosophy and Graduate School Faculty Fellow; Sam Sears, Associate Vice Chancellor and Deputy General Counsel; and Amy Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel
• The presenters discuss the new University Policy 318, "Authorship Policy and Resolution Procedures," established in May 2021. This policy is intended to support good authorship processes and address potential disputes, and it is part of the University’s commitment to fostering a culture of transparency, openness, and research integrity. The presenters will discuss authorship principles and constructive authorship practices as well as dispute resolution procedures through hypotheticals and practical examples.

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What is Academic Freedom, Anyway?

• October 20, 2021; download materials
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel
• What is academic freedom? Who owns it? Do you have it? In this training session, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel Jesh Humphrey will explore the genesis, purpose, and evolution of academic freedom in higher education, and what academic freedom means for Charlotte's faculty, staff, and students.

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The Bling May Sting: Considerations for the Lawful Use of Copyrighted Materials in Your University Work

• September 28, 2021; download materials
• Presented by Will Sherman, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, and Kate Dickson, Copyright and Licensing Librarian; moderated by Sam Sears, Deputy General Counsel
• In this presentation, Assistant Professor Will Sherman (Religious Studies) will share his experience responding to an alleged infringement claim and how (even inadvertently) our work can make us vulnerable to copyright infringement claims.  He will share some tips with attendees that may help them avoid similar claims. Copyright and Licensing Librarian Kate Dickson will also provide an overview of copyright law and review the fair use exception to student and employee use of copyrighted works in the educational setting.  Attendees will learn the four-part fair use analysis and practice applying it in several hypothetical examples in order to gain confidence working with fair use in everyday situations.

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Hot Off the Press: Legislative and Supreme Court Updates

• August 17, 2021; download materials
• Presented by Betty Doster, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Constituent Relations, and Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel
• Join the presenters as they review new legislation as well as recent U.S. Supreme Court cases with implications for university operations and the campus community. Topics include (but certainly are not limited to!) the state budget, college athletics, and student speech.  

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BART and Free Speech on Campus: Challenges and Opportunities in Addressing Higher Education Bias Incidents

• June 29, 2021; download materials
• Presented by Larry Gourdine, Associate Dean and Director of Student Assistance and Support Services, and T’Ajai Carrington, Higher Education Legal Fellow
• This presentation provides guidance for what campus community members can expect from the UNC Charlotte Bias Advisory Resource Team (BART) and how to navigate instances of bias, focusing specifically on:

1. The current legal framework within which BART operates;
2. A forecast of what may be on the horizon in this area;
3. How BART functions at UNC Charlotte;
4. How to submit a BART report; and
5. Challenges and opportunities in navigating alleged bias incidents on campus.

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A Primer on Political Activities

• May 26, 2021; download materials
• Presented by Brad Trahan, Assistant General Counsel
• This presentation provides a refresher on how UNC Charlotte faculty and staff, and the institution, may engage in political activities.  First, we review how, as a public institution, UNC Charlotte is restricted from engaging in certain political activities -- but not others. Second, we discuss how employees must balance their university employment obligations with the rights they retain to freely express their views on any subject, including those of a political nature -- and what that practically means for our employees. 

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Considerations for Conducting Annual Performance Evaluations During the Pandemic

• April 27, 2021; download materials, supplemental materials (Pandemic Impact Statement)
• Presented by Yvette Huet, Director for the UNC Charlotte ADVANCE Faculty Affairs and Diversity Office and a Professor of Kinesiology; Sarah Ekis, Human Resources Manager for EHRA Non-Faculty Administration and Staff Performance Management; Sam Sears, Associate Vice Chancellor and Deputy General Counsel; T'Ajai Carrington, Higher Education Legal Fellow
• This presentation provides guidance and common considerations to support managers conducting performance evaluations this year, including:

1. General guidance and best practices for conducting the annual performance evaluation that apply both during and beyond the pandemic;
2. Suggestions for evaluating achievements relative to opportunity, to account for the broad impacts of the pandemic on employees and moving forward; and
3. Considerations for mitigating the role of bias in reviews and suggested approaches and/or frameworks for avoiding inequities in the evaluation process.

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Remote Workers, Both Out-Of-State and Out-Of-Country -- Challenges and Opportunities

• March 31, 2021
• Presented by  Jeff Jensen, Senior Associate General Counsel
• This session addresses the following questions, discusses a related public policy, and offers a number of remote work scenarios to illustrate both opportunities and challenges for University hiring managers and executives.

1. Are there pitfalls or challenges to seeking to employ an individual who lives and resides outside of North Carolina, in another State?  
2. Do the compliance issues, administrative burdens, and related costs present too many hurdles to overcome (e.g., payroll tax withholdings, disability insurance, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation benefits, etc.)?
3. Can a University department employ someone residing and working outside the U.S. in a foreign country?
4. A Professional Employment Organization (PEO) might be a solution, but will the additional cost make a foreign-based employee a cost-effective and worthwhile investment? 

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Potential Higher Education Legal Implications of the New Presidential Administration

• February 16, 2021; download materials
• Presented by all the attorneys in the Office of Legal Affairs
• Join the attorneys from the Office of Legal Affairs (yes, all of them!) as they re-introduce themselves and discuss briefly how the new presidential administration might, or might not, affect higher education laws, policies, and practices.  From immigration to Title IX, from COVID to college affordability, how might the new administration affect your daily work at the university?    

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Tips for Navigating Challenges in Online Instruction and Student Academic Integrity

• January 14, 2021; download materials
• Presented by Kaela Lindquist, Associate Director of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity; Laura Bizzell, Assistant Director of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity; Heather McCullough, Associate Director, Center for Teaching & Learning; and Amy Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel
• During the pandemic, faculty have had to shift their teaching methods and corresponding classroom policies and practices while navigating new challenges around student academic integrity in an online teaching environment. The panelists provide tips related to online instruction and effective policies and practices that balance the use of classroom control technology (such as video monitoring, lockdown browsers, and Canvas) with student challenges in access to technology, learning tools, and online communication. Panelists will provide a refresher on the Code of Student Academic Integrity, including an overview of prohibited academic conduct, and how it is applied during this unique time of online instruction. Particular focus will be on providing clear and practical tools to assist faculty in avoiding potential academic misconduct issues and in determining when it is appropriate to take advantage of the formal Academic Integrity process.

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Smile — You're on Classroom Camera!: A Guide to Classroom Recordings & FERPA

• October 20, 2020; download materials
• Presented by Amy Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel; Leslie Zenk, Assistant Provost; Kim Buch, Faculty Fellow, Center for Teaching & Learning and Professor, Department of Psychological Science
• As classroom technologies continue to evolve, and especially during times when remote or hybrid classes are necessary, more instructors are using video and audio recordings of class sessions and student projects. Recordings are sometimes used to allow enrolled students to watch a missed class session or to review an earlier session they attended, to share with another currently-enrolled class or a future class, or for accreditation purposes. Depending on how the recordings are created and edited, they may include personally identifiable information (PII) about students and thus constitute education records that are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) — the federal student privacy law. This training session will provide guidelines for acceptable practices in making and using video and audio recordings in the classroom setting. 

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Legislative Update

• August 29, 2019; download materials
• Presented by Betty Doster, Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Constituent Relations, and Brad Trahan, Assistant General Counsel
• The Office of Legal Affairs and Constituent Relations recapped this legislative session and reviewed new laws that impact UNC Charlotte. This session also reviewed UNC Charlotte legislative priorities, the current budget status, alcohol in athletic facilities, and voter identification, as well as a look ahead to the 2020 election cycle and the 49er Democracy Experience: 2020 RNC convention.  

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FERPA Refresher

• July 23, 2019; download materials
• Presenter: Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel
• Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Integrity and General Counsel, reprised our always-popular FERPA refresher course.  In our increasingly technological society, we continue to face new questions about what information constitutes a student's education record, what texts or emails might qualify as written consent, and how to protect our students' privacy in various databases and online.  Jesh hit the FERPA highlights, covered new issues he has seen, and spent time fielding questions from the audience.

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Come Fly with Me, Let's Fly, Let's Fly Away: Operating a Drone on Campus at UNC Charlotte

• June 18, 2019; download materials
• Presenters: Brad Trahan, Assistant General Counsel, and Joe Fiorelli, Interim Director of Risk Management and Insurance
• The Office of Legal Affairs and the Office of Risk Management and Insurance presented a *crash* course on operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) on campus.  The session *took off* with an explanation of the legal framework for operating drones in the United States and North Carolina then *soared* into a discussion on how to operate a drone on UNC Charlotte's campus without getting *grounded.*  The session was designed for staff, faculty, students, or visitors who wish to operate drones on campus.

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What does retention and destruction of records mean for me as a University employee? Why can't I just keep everything? 

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Are you feeling the Varsity Blues?  We can help!

• April 23, 2019
• Presented by Claire Kirby, Director of Undergraduate Admissions; Jeff Jensen, Senior Associate General Counsel; and a mystery guest speaker
• A discussion of the practical realities of seeking access to higher education, as well as legal and programmatic considerations for undergraduate admission decision-makers.  Topics included:

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Campus Response to Student Behavioral Concerns: Three Levels of Care

• Thursday, March 21, 2019; download materials
• Presented by Jeff Baker, Police and Public Safety; Christine Reed Davis, Dean of Students Office; Larry Gourdine, Student Assistance and Support Services; Jesh Humphrey, Institutional Integrity; and David Spano, Counseling and Psychological Services.
• UNC Charlotte faculty and staff occasionally confront or learn about student behaviors that are troubling, disruptive, or even threatening. This session outlined the cross-divisional approaches taken by the university to assess and address concerning student behaviors through three levels of interconnected care: the Niner Care Team, the Campus Behavioral Intervention Team, and the Threat Assessment Team.  Presenters discussed how to report concerning behaviors to the university, how those reports are managed, the resources utilized to assess risks and provide student support, as well as the laws, policies, and other considerations that govern how information about student behavior is conveyed to the university community.  

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Do You Have My Back?: When Employees Are Legally Protected By the University and When They Are Not

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The Proposed Title IX Regulations and What They Might Mean for UNC Charlotte

• January 30, 2019; download materials
• Presented by Sarah Edwards, Associate General Counsel, and Michelle Reinken, Title IX Coordinator
• The federal government has proposed new rules that would govern how universities respond to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault.  So, what does that mean for UNC Charlotte? Sarah Edwards, Associate General Counsel, and Michelle Reinken, Title IX Coordinator, walked through the proposed Title IX regulations, explained the process that must occur before the new rules are final, and discussed what the rules, if enacted, might mean for UNC Charlotte's students and employees.

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Preventing and Responding to Sexual Harassment in the Break room and Classroom: What the #metoo Movement Means for Faculty Supervisors

• November 15; download materials
• Presented by Sam Sears, Deputy General Counsel, and Lynne Conner, Chair & Professor, Department of Theater
• This training is designed for faculty supervisors who are tasked with managing prevention and response to sexual harassment among faculty and between faculty and students in their respective departments. Sam Sears, Deputy General Counsel, and Lynne Conner, Chair & Professor, Department of Theater, discussedthe implications of the #metoo Movement on institutional prevention of and response to sexual harassment.  The panelists also reviewed faculty supervisors' obligations under applicable law and University policy to prevent and respond to reported sexual harassment, including their obligations as "responsible employees" under Title IX.  The panelists concluded by discussing the many campus resources available to help faculty supervisors navigate these difficult issues.

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Navigating Accommodation Requests for Emotional Support Animals on College Campuses

• July 19, 2018; download materials
• Presented by Kris Caudle, Legal Fellow for the Office of Legal Affairs and Gena Smith, Director of Disability Services
• This session provided an overview of federal disability laws and UNC Charlotte policies related to the use of emotional support animals on campus, with a focus on: (1) the distinction between service animals and emotional support animals; (2) FHA regulations governing emotional support animals in on-campus residences; (3) managing conflicting disability scenarios; and (4) practical considerations in analyzing accommodations requests.

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Do You Have My Back?: When Employees Are Legally Protected By the University and When They Are Not

• June 20, 2018; download materials
• Presented by Jeff Jensen, Senior Associate General Counsel
• This session is intended for all categories of university employees, discussing in which situations the university would be liable for an employee's conduct and when the employee is accepting personal liability.  Some possible scenarios include advising student organizations, injuring another employee on the job, signing contracts, providing consulting services to outside groups, and other tricky situations.  

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Crisis Management and Communication: A Balancing Act

• May 22, 2018; download materials
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel; Catherine Mitchell, Assistant General Counsel; Kris Caudle, Legal Fellow; Christy Jackson, Director of Communications for Business Affairs; Buffie Stephens, Director of Issues Management and External Media Relations
• Recently, a UNC Charlotte student was in the news for ideations of gun violence.  During this presentation the presenters discussed the University's approach to such situations and the competing considerations when communicating updates to students, employees, and the media.  Presenters provided an overview of legal standards, University policies and processes, and a behind-the-scenes look at what factors drive decisions about what to communicate and how.  They then walked through a hypothetical crisis scenario together to help attendees better understand the complexities of decision-making during a crisis situation and how the University navigates these challenging issues.

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An Insider's Guide to the NEW Records Retention Schedule

• April 24, 2018; download materials
• Presented by University Public Records Officer Tina Dadio and University Archivist Katie Howell
• This presentation provided a review of the new records retention policy that has been recently rolled out by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources governing the destruction or other disposition of university records, including identifying what a record is and why we need to retain or destroy it.  Where can I find the records retention policy?  Who is responsible for archiving documents in my department?  Does my office have an internal policy related to archiving records?  This presentation helps answer these questions and includes more information about best practices related to the preservation and destruction of departmental records.

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Copyright primer

• March 21, 2018; download materials
• Presented by Deputy General Counsel Sam Sears and Copyright and Licensing Librarian Kate Dickson 
• This presentation provided attendees an overview of copyright law and applicable UNC Charlotte copyright policy, with a focus on: (1) university, employee, and student rights in copyrighted works created within the scope of employment or enrollment at UNC Charlotte, and (2) the fair use exception to students' and employees' use of copyrighted works in the educational setting.  Attendees learned the four-part fair use analysis and practice applying it in several hypothetical examples, in order to gain confidence working with fair use in everyday situations.

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Let’s Make a Deal: The Dos and Don’ts of Managing University Contracts

• February 21, 2018; download materials
• Presented by Associate General Counsel Sarah Edwards  
• This session provided a review of the university's contract checklist, including state law and other negotiating parameters. It also included a discussion of the acceptability of electronic or digital signatures, who is permitted to sign what types of contracts, and whom to contact depending on your contract's subject matter. 

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FERPA Refresher

• January 24, 2018; download materials
• Presented by  Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel Jesh Humphrey
• This program reprised our always-popular FERPA refresher course.  In our increasingly technological society, we continue to face new questions about what information constitutes a student's education record, what texts or emails might qualify as written consent, and how to protect our students' privacy in various databases and online. This session answers some of those questions.

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Who Ya Gonna Call?  Essential Speed-Dials for All Your University Problems

• November 17th, 2017; download materials
• Presented by Samantha Sears, Deputy General Counsel, and Jeanne Madorin, Executive Director of Human Resources for EPA Non-faculty Administration, Employee Relations, and Compliance
• This program is an extension of a session offered at OLA's Annual Legal Symposium addressing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.  The presenters provide an overview of a number of UNC Charlotte policies that govern the workplace, including University policies outlining the rights of employees with disabilities, the rights of employees who qualify for protected leave under the FMLA, and the policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.  The presenters then discuss scenarios related to these topics and, as suggested by the title of the program, identify campus resources available to faculty and staff to help navigate these challenging issues. 

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Secondary Employment, Outside Commitments, and Employee Liability Protections - Applicable Policies and Best Practices You Should Consider

• September 14, 2017
• Presented by Jeff Jensen, Senior Associate General Counsel
• For any employee who has another job outside the university, who owns or operates his/her own company, who consults regularly, or who participates on outside boards, this session will address the questions and concerns that might be circulating around those activities. Jeff  Jensen explains the university policies that govern these relationships as well as what employee protections might come into play with university-related work.

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Legislative Update

• August 9, 2017; download materials
• Presented by Catherine Mitchell, Assistant General Counsel
• The North Carolina General Assembly had a busy session again this year, which culminated in several pieces of legislation that affect UNC Charlotte.  Catherine Mitchell walks us through what new laws will change the way we do business as well as what proposed legislation did not become law.  From student-athletes to free speech, from budget cuts to diversity and inclusion offices, from gun bills to enrollment growth, there is something for everyone!

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Public Records Refresher

• July 19, 2017; download materials
• Presented by Tina Dadio, University Public Records Officer

• Tina Dadio reviews the basics of public records law, including what constitutes a public record, how long we have to keep a public record, how the Public Records Act interacts with FERPA, and the consequences of destroying records too early.  She also covers specific scenarios with emails, Facebook/text messages, personal mobile devices, and other technological advances that put a wrinkle into our tried-and-true rules.  

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FERPA Refresher

• June 14, 2017; download materials
• Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Vice Chancellor and General Counsel, and Olga Polorelsky, Registrar's Office
• Our very own general counsel Jesh Humphrey joins with Olga Pogorelsky from the Registrar's Office to provide the always-popular FERPA refresher course.  In our increasingly technological society, we continue to face new questions about what information constitutes a student's education record, what qualifies as written consent, and how to protect our students' privacy in various databases and online.  Jesh and Olga hit the FERPA highlights, covered new issues they've seen, and spent time fielding questions from the audience.

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 "But I Posted It on My Personal Page!": Limits to Free Speech for Faculty and Staff in the Social Media Age

• May 24, 2017; download materials
• Presented by Catherine Mitchell, Assistant General Counsel
• In this era of robust social and political discussions, faculty and staff often share their perspectives online.  This session reviews the basic principles of free speech rights for faculty and staff, including what questions to ask oneself (such as "Am I wearing my university employee hat when I post this?").  We also discuss what university policies are implicated by online postings as well as recent cases at other universities that put free speech principles to the test.

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Do You Have My Back?: When Employees Are Legally Protected By the University and When They Are Not

• March 16, 2017; download materials
• Presented by Jeff Jensen, Senior Associate General Counsel
• This presentation is appropriate for all categories of university employees as we discuss in which situations the university would be liable for an employee's conduct and when the employee is accepting personal liability.  Some possible scenarios include advising student organizations, injuring another employee on the job, signing contracts, providing consulting services to outside groups, and other tricky situations.

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Yes, No, or Maybe: How to Negotiate University Contracts

• February 15, 2017; download materials
• Presented by  Sarah Edwards, Associate General Counsel