Legal Affairs Training Session Archives

All past sessions reflect the laws and policies of the time at which they were presented and are not necessarily current. (Listed in reverse chronological order.)

Federally Funded Research: The Current Landscape

September 30, 2025; download materials
Presented by Adrienne Merriott, Assistant General Counsel for Research
With a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory landscape, where do we stand as the Fall 2025 semester begins? Executive orders, grant terminations, new agency priorities, and litigation have all impacted research that relies on federal funding. Please join the Office of Legal Affairs for an update on federally funded research with an emphasis on understanding agency guidance, compliance, and practical advice for researchers.

Managing Academic Misconduct: What Faculty Need to Know About New Revisions to the Code of Student Academic Integrity

August 27, 2025; download materials
Presented by Kaela Lindquist, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution; Terry Shirley, Chair, Academic Integrity Board; and Amy Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel
The Code of Student Academic Integrity has recently been revised to make the language more understandable and the processes easier to follow for both students and faculty members. Changes include:
- adding provisions about the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI);
- adding a new category of prohibited behavior, “Failure to Comply” with faculty instructions related to academic integrity;
- adding an “Outcome-Only Hearing” option for cases where a student takes responsibility for their behavior, but disagrees with the outcomes proposed through a Facilitated Resolution;
- adding a new “Graduate Students” chapter to highlight the heightened academic integrity responsibilities and expectations of those engaging in graduate coursework; and
- changing the Informal Resolution form from paper to electronic routing through DocuSign.

Global Connections at UNC Charlotte: Supporting International Student Success

June 26, 2025; download materials
Presented by Erica Solosky, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Ethics, Policy, and Compliance and Associate General Counsel; and campus partners from the International Student and Scholar Office
Did you know that approximately 2,000 international students came to UNC Charlotte from nearly 100 countries during Fall 2024? The Office of Legal Affairs joins the International Student & Scholar Office (ISSO) to host a conversation about the recent updates to the immigration landscape for international students and scholars. Our topic will also cover practical tips and a behind-the-scenes look at the daily work that goes into facilitating our international students’ success here at UNC Charlotte.

Academic Freedom and Institutional Neutrality: What You Can Say (and What the University Can’t)

April 29, 2025; 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
What speech does academic freedom protect? Does institutional neutrality affect how you teach, research, or speak out? This session breaks down the scope of these principles, when they matter, and how both are being tested in today’s higher ed climate. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of your rights, the University’s responsibilities, and where questions remain about the boundaries of both in 2025 and beyond.

FMLA Essentials Part II: What Supervisors Need to Know About FMLA Rights and Responsibilities

March 19, 2025; 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 to bond with a newborn can be overwhelming for employees, especially with the complexity of the FMLA process. Whether your employee needs full-time or intermittent leave, understanding your responsibilities as a supervisor can help ease the process. Please join the Office of Legal Affairs and Benefits Office for Part II of this interactive FMLA refresher. In this session, we will cover essential information every supervisor should know about FMLA rights and responsibilities, proper timekeeping, streamlining the HR process and much more! Through scenarios, the presenters will also discuss how to manage some frequently encountered, complex issues.

Potential Higher Education Legal Implications of the New Presidential Administration

February 5, 2025; 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 research funding to amateurism in athletics, how might the new administration affect your daily work at the university?

Annual Insight on Ethical Standards: Reflecting on Current Challenges and Sharing Effective Strategies

December 17, 2024; download materials
Presented by Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel and Director of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance and Scott Deyo, University Ombuds
UNC Charlotte is committed to treating each community member with respect and dignity. In this session, the University Ombuds and Director of Ethics, Policy, and Compliance will review a range of campus guidance that implicates dignity and respect, from the Standards of Ethical Conduct to the University’s protection from retaliation. Following this overview, the session will explore the issues and trends shared with the University Ombuds over the past year, including the fact that perceived “bullying/abuse of power” was an issue that more than doubled. Finally, they will share strategies for contributing toward a positive outcome.

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).

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

September 23, 2024
A review of the UNC System’s New Equality Policy, hosted in partnership with Academic Affairs and Student Affairs
Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Sarah Edwards, Jennifer Troyer, and Kevin Bailey

Guidelines for Free Expression on Campus (Virtual Town Hall)

September 20, 2024
A review of guidelines for Free Expression, hosted in partnership with Office of Safety and Security
Presented by Jesh Humphrey, Sarah Edwards, Chris Gonyar, and NiCole Lynch

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

The Evolving Landscape of Discrimination Law and University Policy

May 3, 2023; download materials
Presented by André Lindsay, Senior Associate General Counsel, and Sarah Edwards, Interim Deputy General Counsel
The presenters provide an overview of recent developments to discrimination and harassment laws as well as recent revisions to the University’s anti-discrimination policy. The presenters explore how these changes apply in the employment and student contexts and also discuss various scenarios to help bring these changes into perspective.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Building Post-Covid Workplace Resilience: Guidance for Navigating Challenging Interpersonal Dynamics at Work and Responding to Distressed Employees

May 26, 2022; download materials
Presented by Sam Sears, Deputy General Counsel; Scott Deyo, University Ombuds; and Cindy Edwards, Director of Employee Relations
After more than two years of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, University employees are confronting the inevitable challenges of returning to work during a time when the nature of the work we do and how we do it has changed significantly. This panel will discuss shifting workplace dynamics, highlighting workplace trends and offering guidance on productive approaches to managing and mitigating workplace conflict. The panel will also provide guidance on identifying and responding to employees in distress, highlighting available resources and support services and addressing applicable legal considerations.

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.

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.

The Public Records Act: It Affects You More Than You Think

Tuesday, February 15, 2022; download materials
Presented by Erica Solosky, Associate General Counsel, Tina Dadio, University Public Records Officer/Legal Specialist, and Amanda Simpson, Paralegal
The North Carolina Public Records Act is one of the broadest in the country, and our courts have consistently interpreted it to favor transparency. What does this mean for us as university employees? The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the prevalence of remote work and remote education. What does this mean for work we do at home and on smartphones/tablets? How does the law affect the deletion of electronic records and destroying paper files? How has the law changed to affect records related to research projects and other records? A 2020 case from the North Carolina Supreme Court weighs in and brings new insight into the evolving topic of public records disclosure.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.
- Are there pitfalls or challenges to seeking to employ an individual who lives and resides outside of North Carolina, in another State?
- 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.)?
- Can a University department employ someone residing and working outside the U.S. in a foreign country?
- 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?

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?

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.

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.

Not Just Students: What the New Title IX Regulations Mean for All UNC Charlotte Community Members

September 29, 2020; download materials
Presented by Sarah Edwards, Associate General Counsel, and Dr. Michelle Reinken, Director of Title IX Compliance
The federal government issued new rules in May 2020 that govern how universities respond to incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault. As of August 14th, those new rules have become new policy at UNC Charlotte. Join us as we walk through the final Title IX regulations, explain how the regulations compare with the prior legal landscape, and discuss what those changes mean for UNC Charlotte’s students, faculty, and staff.

Managing Extended Medical Leaves of Absence: How the FMLA, the ADA, and the University’s Short-Term Disability Program Inform a Supervisor’s Options

February 26, 2020; download materials
Presented by Deputy General Counsel Sam Sears and Senior Associate General Counsel Jeff Jensen
What should you do if an employee is hospitalized or given a diagnosis that keeps the employee out of work? How much time off must you give them? What kinds of accommodations might be warranted? This session outlines University policies and applicable law governing medical and disability leave. In addition, the presenters identify University resources available to supervisors to manage or help them respond to their employees’ extended medical leave requests.

Deal or No Deal

January 29, 2020; download materials
Presented by Assistant General Counsel Brad Trahan
This session reviewed the university’s contract checklist and negotiating techniques. It also included a discussion of who is permitted to sign what types of contracts and the division of responsibilities between the unit wishing to enter into the contract and units tasked with reviewing and negotiating the contract.

A Review of the Newly Revised Code of Student Academic Integrity

September 25, 2019; download materials
Presented by James Lorello, Director of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity; Kaela Lindquist, Associate Director of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity; Laura Bizzell, Assistant Director of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity; Bruce Long, Chair of the Academic Integrity Board; and Amy Kelso, Senior Associate General Counsel
Discussion of the latest revisions to the Code of Student Academic Integrity, including an overview of prohibited academic conduct, adjudication methods (including the new facilitated resolution option), and the procedures for resolution of cases.

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.

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.

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.

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

May 13, 2019; download materials
Presenters: Tina Dadio, University Public Records Officer and Legal Specialist, and Katie Howell, University Archivist
As the age of technology advances and more documents are filed electronically, retention and destruction of records is becoming even more complicated. As university employees, we are required to comply with our University records retention policy and the UNC System retention schedule. What does this really mean for me? How do I manage these records? Which records can really be destroyed? What does it mean that a record is permanent and when does the value of a document really end? This presentation took a deep look into the University’s systems retention schedule, with real life examples that have been asked by our employees. We also brought a file with typical documents and go through each document to decipher which documents are considered permanent, which ones needs to be retained, and which ones can be destroyed.

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:
- UNC System and Charlotte admissions standards and decision-making practices
- Preferential treatment – extraordinary skills, legacies, large donors, etc.
- Other legal standards for higher education admission
- Lessons from recent high-stakes admissions stories

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.

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

February 20, 2019; download materials
Presented by Jeff Jensen, Senior Associate General Counsel
This session, intended for all categories of university employees, was a discussion about under what circumstances employees are legally protected by the university. We discussed situations in which the university would be liable for an employee’s conduct and provide them legal representation and indemnification, and other situations when the employee would be personally liable for her/his conduct. The following legal concepts were explored: (1) scope of employment; (2) fraud, corruption and actual malice; (3) conflict of interest; and, (4) matters not in the best interest of the State of North Carolina.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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

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