Mission and Vision
The Office of General Counsel and Secretary to the University (the “Office”) is unique within Arcadia University (the “University”) because it reports directly to the President and also to the Board of Trustees, as needed. Its purpose as General Counsel is to provide legal counsel to its client, the University, offering legal services to the Board of Trustees, President, Provost, Vice Presidents, Deans, Faculty, and Staff who raise questions related to the issues affecting the University.
Its purpose as the Secretary is to support and facilitate the work of the Board of Trustees as they perform their fiduciary duty for the University.
The Office strives to promote effective governance among the Board and other constituencies of the University; preserve institutional memory by maintaining the official record of the Board; prepare for the future through strategic planning; and serve as the liaison between the Board, committee and subcommittee chairs, senior administrators, and the University community. We aspire to provide accessible and responsive advice, a collegial and constructive approach to solving problems, and excellent legal assistance in support of the University’s mission.
The Office of General Counsel and Secretary to the University’s strategic vision is guided by a desire to streamline processes, increase efficiency, reduce delay and administrative burden, effectively lead the University through exemplary governance practices, and foster an environment in which all members of the University community can contribute, grow, and feel a sense of belonging.
About Our Office
The Office of General Counsel and Secretary to the University coordinates and supervises all legal services for Arcadia University by providing timely legal guidance; addressing existing and potential legal problems; reducing exposure to legal risk; and helping University units effectively and efficiently achieve their objectives.
The University is our client, but our legal services are provided to the Board of Trustees, the President, University Officers, deans, and heads of academic units, department heads, or other designated representatives of the University. We provide legal advice and representation to those employees acting within the scope of their duties, but we cannot provide personal legal advice to any individual.
The Office of General Counsel and Secretary to the University provides legal advice in a wide variety of practice areas.
Responsibilities include:
- Legal advice to Trustees, President, and Administration
- Contracts and agreements
- Copyright and trademark
- Discrimination and harassment
- Employment law
- Ethics and conflict of interest
- Intellectual property
- Litigation, subpoenas, and government investigations
- Management of policies, policy development, drafting, and interpretation
- Regulatory compliance
- Student education records requests (FERPA)
