Contracts
Q: I am about to commit the resources of the College to purchase goods or obtain the services of an outside entity. Do I have the authority to sign a contract on behalf of the College?
A: According to the governance documents of the College, only the President and the Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer, or their designees, may sign a contract or agreement binding the College. Since there are only a few designees who have limited authority in this regard, you should forward the contract for signing to the Vice President for Business Affairs and Treasurer. As a general rule, you should not sign any contract, agreement, license, purchase order, memorandum of understanding, lease, or any other potentially binding agreement. This includes contracts and agreements for goods and services to be provided by the College as well as for goods and services to be provided to the College. All contracts and agreements will typically need legal review and should be referred to the Office of the General Counsel.
Q: An officially recognized student organization wants to enter into a contract. Who has the authority to sign such an agreement?
A: Only officially recognized student organizations may enter into agreements in the name of the College. Individual students and non-recognized student groups have no authority to commit the College to a legal obligation. Contracts signed by individual students or in the name of a student organization, whether officially recognized or not, will not be honored by the College and any financial commitments made will be those of the individual student or students involved. The Office of the Dean of Students has established policies and procedures to comply with the College's requirements for the review and execution of contracts. If you are a student acting in the capacity of a representative for an officially recognized student organization, you are required to bring all contractual agreements to the attention of the Office of the Dean of Students.