A policy revision puts commercial activities at UC Davis under the jurisdiction of the Preferred Partnership Program, or UP3, and its shared governance structure.

The revision aims to put additional structure around commercial activities that are mutually beneficial to the university and external partners. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that there is a fair exchange of value between commercial enterprises and the campus, according to Heather Hunter, executive director of the Preferred Partnership Program.

Hunter said UP3’s tiered governance model includes an executive committee, advisory committee and industry-specific working groups.  The shared governance structure comprises senior administrators, academic leaders, faculty and staff, and representatives of the ASUCD and Graduate Student Association, to ensure the university builds meaningful and impactful partnerships that are aligned with the UC Davis mission, Principles of Community and UP3 Guiding Principles.

A subcommittee of the UP3 Advisory Committee, the Commercial Activities Review Board, or CARB, will review all proposals for commercial activities (except those under the purview of the Office of Research, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, and UC Davis Sports Properties). The review process begins when a campus department or organization submits a Commercial Activities Request Form.

Here are examples of activities that need approval:

• Commercial — Any marketing, advertising, selling or providing of samples of products or services on the campus or in campus publications by any commercial enterprise. This includes having any business logo on any printed material (e.g. apparel).
• Sponsorship — Collaborative agreements between a campus department or organization and a commercial enterprise in managing and financing an event or activity in which the sponsor(s) receives acknowledgement for providing financial support.

Commercial Activities Request Forms must be submitted at least 90 days in advance of the activities, and the CARB will respond within 15 business days, provided that no follow-up information is needed.

The policy establishes a minimum Campus Access Fee of $1,000 per sponsorship event (exclusive of the cost of the sponsorship, as determined by the host department or organization). Two-thirds of the fee will go to the host department or organization, and one-third will go into a general fund benefiting students.

Host departments and organization may request fee waivers or reductions, to be reviewed by the UP3 Advisory Committee.

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