Commercial Notetaking Task Force

Four Questions In The Charge And Brief Answers

1. What relationship, if any, should the University have with commercial notetaking services?

   At this time, the University should approach with caution any formal relationship with commercial notetaking. While the University may tolerate commercial notetaking under certain conditions, the institution should not officially endorse or condemn commercial notetaking. Commercial notetaking services engage in activities that look (and perhaps are) educationally related, but the ultimate goal of these services is the generation of revenue and not the education of our students. It is in the University's best interest, at present, not to be or to appear to be affiliated—as part of a formal relationship—with commercial notetaking services, even if some faculty and students find their services useful.
   
   

2. What should the institutional response be to a notetaking service that believes it may publish notes from any class, even over the objection of the instructor?
   
   This circumstance is completely unacceptable. The University should prohibit, by any feasible means, a notetaking service from conducting its business in a class over the objection of the instructor. Moreover, any notetaking service that adopts such a posture should be prohibited from conducting business or educational activities at the University. It will always undermine the University mission when one instructor cooperates with a notetaking company that will not honor the pedagogical preference of another instructor down the hall.
   
   

3. What does participation with a commercial notetaking company mean about "ownership" in the future? Are faculty signing away their rights to use lecture notes with another company or for their own use?
   
   If an instructor does not have a "personal" agreement with a notetaking service, the answer to these questions are "nothing," "no," and "no," respectively. It is possible, however, for a faculty member to contract independently with a notetaking company. But the answers to most contractual questions are too fact-specific to address here. Ideally, for the first few years, the General Counsel's Office will be available to assist faculty who are considering contracts with these companies.
   
   

4. What concerns are raised by "consulting agreements" such as those used by Versity.com, and how should the University address those concerns?
   
   We can identify several concerns. Many faculty are inexperienced at considering these types of agreements and should receive some assistance if they desire it. Also, these types of consulting agreements (we do not know, of course, until we see them) may place the faculty member in a "conflict of interest" under SPG 201.65-01. Moreover, there are broad educational concerns with faculty incorporating elements into the curriculum as a result of a personal business agreement.

COMMERCIAL NOTETAKING TASK FORCE REPORT