Student Handbook: Course Based Businesses

Policy and Process
The University supports student learning through course-based projects to create and operate small businesses on the campus under the supervision of faculty and the colleges. This policy and process applies to businesses operating on or from the campus, is meant to balance this support and the operation of such enterprises with the many other activities taking place at the University, to manage any associated risk and safety concerns and to encourage coordination between relevant offices.

1. A student may operate a course-based business on the campus if they are assigned the creation of such an enterprise as a project by faculty/instructor in a course for which they are registered and if this assignment appears on the course syllabus.
2. Students may not use Fordham University property and resources for privately-owned businesses not directly associated with a course.
3. Each course-based business must be supervised by a member of the Fordham University faculty.
4. The faculty/instructor assigning the creation of course-based businesses to students notifies the college from which the course is offered and lists the assignment on his or her syllabus.
5. The faculty/instructor teaching the course serves as the collection point for information about the proposed course-based business (see point 10 below).
6. The faculty/instructor teaching the course:
   • gathers relevant required paperwork and contracts from the student operators of course-based business.
   • provides initial approval to course-based businesses proposed by students prior to the commencement of operation on campus,
   • notifies the college and provides relevant information about the course-based business (see point 9 below) to the college,
7. Each college designates a member of the staff/administrator to manage course-based businesses. This staff member/administrator:
   • receives syllabi for courses assigning the formation of course-based businesses via course syllabi,
   • gathers relevant required paperwork and contracts from the faculty/instructors supervising course-based business.
   • receives information (see point 10 below) on proposed course-based businesses,
   • disseminates a list of courses assigning the formation of course-based businesses via course syllabi,
   • disseminates a Registry list of proposed course-based businesses to relevant offices (see point 10 below)
   • provides final approval to course-based businesses that adhere to these policies.
8. A wide range of course-based businesses can operate on the campus adhering to the following general policies:
   • Course-based businesses and their officers must comply with all policies in effect at Fordham University, including but not limited to the policies contained in the Academic Bulletin, the University Code of Conduct, University Regulations as published in the student handbook, the Information Technology Fair Use Regulations and/or the policies/processes of the Office of Residential Life as published in the residential life handbook and Student Involvement.
   • Course-based businesses must comply with all applicable municipal, state and federal laws.
   • Course-based businesses must comply with Fordham business procedures and controls governing the handling of payments, including cash, checks and credit card payments.
   • Course-based businesses may use Fordham University facilities and resources (e.g. meeting rooms, tabling, on-campus sales) on a limited basis by following the standard processes through which student clubs and organizations operate. For more information, contact The Office for Student Involvement or consult the Student Handbook’s Student Affairs/Clubs and Organizations
   • Course-based businesses may not handle or store private information, including payment and credit card information, using the Fordham University network or personal computers located on Fordham University property and connected to the Fordham University network. Students may arrange for remote hosting of these business functions and use the Fordham University network for access to same.
   • Course-based businesses may not use Fordham University property or facilities to prepare or store food items.
   • Course-based businesses may not use Fordham University property, facilities, data network or other resources for the manufacturing of items.
   • Course-based businesses may not use Fordham University property or facilities for the storage of any items that constitute a hazard of any kind, that are prohibited by any other policy or regulation or that occupy an unreasonable amount of space in a physical location.
   • Course-based businesses may not compete with other operations to which the University is committed via relevant exclusivity agreements.
   • Course-based businesses may not take the place of certain core business operations that are provided by the University. Examples include but are not limited to university health services, dining services, the campus bookstore and other business operations.
   • Course-based businesses may use Fordham University trademarks and logos only with written permission from the relevant office(s) at the University.
9. Each college’s list of courses in which the formation of course-based businesses is assigned is shared with the following offices each semester no later than the end of the course registration period for the coming semester:
   • Treasury Operations (Risk Management)
   • Department of Public Safety
   • Legal Counsel
   • Office of the Dean of Students (Rose Hill and Lincoln Center)
   • Office for Student Involvement
10. The college maintains a Registry list of proposed and approved course-based businesses which includes the following information:
    • Names and contact information of students responsible for the business,
    • Names and contact information of faculty responsible for and supervising the business and the students responsible for the business,
    • Names and contact information of college administrative staff supervising the course(s) or program(s) under which the relevant course falls,
    • Brief summary of the business,
    • Description of the method by which any payments will be processed,
    • Signed agreements to adhere to the policies related to course-based businesses,
11. The Registry of proposed course-based businesses is shared with the following offices on each semester no later than the end of the second full week of classes:
    • Treasury Operations (Risk Management)
    • Department of Public Safety
    • Legal Counsel
    • Office of the Dean of Students
    • Office for Student Involvement
12. Proposed course-based businesses that conflict with the policies in this document may not be approved. The faculty/instructor will work with the college and relevant college administrative staff to assist students in revamping plans to achieve approval.
13. Course-based businesses may not continue to operate beyond the end of the semester in which they are formed unless they come under the supervision of a faculty/instructor teaching a subsequent course.