Research and Sponsored Projects Manual (RSP)

Effective: 11/14/1986

Revised: 7/1/2009

RSP 404: Classified Research

Purpose

To identify the circumstances under which the university will accept agreements requiring access to government classified information and to protect the special interest of the university to carry out research in an open and unrestricted manner

Sources

Arizona Board of Regents Policy Manual - 3-202

Policy Statement on Classified and Proprietary Research, prepared by the Ad Hoc Academic Senate Committee on Classified and Proprietary Research, December, 1984

Report of the Task Force on Classified Research, put forth by the University Senate at Arizona State University, 2006

Policy

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General

The faculty of Arizona State University (ASU) is committed to a large and varied agenda of research. The research agenda assumes that the university’s role in society is not fulfilled unless research and teaching are vigorously pursued and fully integrated at all levels. Thus, faculty research advances knowledge, enriches teaching, and serves the community.

The principle of the indivisibility of teaching and research requires the university to carry out research in an open and unrestricted manner, with complete freedom to publish or otherwise disseminate the results of the search for knowledge. This special mission of a university makes it necessary for students and faculty to have access to university facilities with minimal restrictions. While society can benefit from classified research, the requirements of secrecy and restrictions on freedom to publish, which are inherent in governmental security classification, can be in opposition to the special mission stated above. This makes it necessary to place clear limits upon the classified research conducted by the university.

These research policies are intended to prevent the restrictions associated with classified research from interfering with the educational and open research activities of the university. These policies do not, however, prohibit self-imposed restrictions based upon the professional ethics of a particular discipline. Moreover, faculty who undertake classified research outside of university facilities will be governed by normal university provisions and procedures for consulting, public service, and leaves of absence.

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Classified Research Policies

1. The university shall not undertake, on campus, any classified research that introduces limits on the access to a facility unless:
   
   
   1. the project requires the use of unique specialized facilities or the participation of personnel unique to this university

      and

   2. the project clearly represents a critical public service at a time of local, state, or national emergency.

   In no case shall the university enter into such a proposed agreement unless the proposed research has been reviewed by the Classified Material Management Group (MG). For more information, see the MG’s procedures.

2. No theses or dissertations will be accepted in fulfillment of degree requirements that cannot be freely published or disseminated. Research assignments leading to theses or dissertations that would be subject to such restrictions are unacceptable and are to be prohibited.
3. No secret research or materials shall be considered with regard to appointments, reappointments, tenure, promotions, or merit pay raises.
4. Except as stated above, the university shall not enter into or renew any contract or accept any grant for a classified research project that bars access by university faculty and students to university facilities.
5. The term “on campus” shall designate those areas and physical facilities in which education and research involving undergraduate and graduate students takes place. Initially, these areas shall include Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, and West campuses, and exclude the Research Park and Skysong.

For more information on integrity in research and research policies, see the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance Web site.

Cross-Reference

For additional information, see RSP 101, “General Research Policy.”

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