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COVID-19: Copyright of Instructional Materials

March 25, 2020
To: All Faculty
 
Dear Colleagues,
 
Many faculty have asked how the rules governing faculty copyright to their instructional materials apply in these extraordinary circumstances.
 
The basic principle of university policy is that instructional faculty own copyright in their instructional materials, unless the university has made exceptional resource commitments to the development of those materials. Given the nature of this COVID-19 crisis, faculty are wondering if the definition of “exceptional university resources” applies now.
 
Simply, it does not. While we are in exceptional circumstances, all faculty are equally impacted. We are therefore classifying the resources provided to develop your course materials as customary and not exceptional.
 
I hope this alleviates any concerns you might have.
 
Best,
Gregg Camfield
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost