We strongly recommend that bargaining units establish in their contracts a provision for a joint labor/management committee to address intellectual property issues — and any other DE issue that impacts the terms and conditions of faculty members’ employment — as they arise. Because DE is constantly evolving, the terms and conditions of employment as well as the professional duties and responsibilities of faculty members should constantly be addressed.

This committee can meet on an ongoing and regular basis or it can be called into existence by either the union or the college. Every attempt should be made to include appropriate DE practitioners on the committee, including both faculty and staff.