Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Kettering University Confidential Thesis Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Kettering University

CONFIDENTIAL THESIS AGREEMENT

(Modified 4/25/2013)

Student name: ID#

Company’s Name and reason for desiring confidentiality:

In consideration of Kettering University accepting the confidential Center for Culminating Undergraduate Experience (CCUE) co-op project (thesis) and the Employer’s consideration of consenting to the following agreement, Kettering University and Employer agree as follows:

1. Kettering University will make every effort not to disclose information within the final thesis, or within draft copies of the thesis other than to Kettering University faculty advisor(s) or Kettering CCUE staff for their necessary evaluation of the thesis

2. Kettering University will sequester the final thesis that is to be provided on a CDROM or equivalent (recorded using a format that Kettering University specifies) and not allow its viewing by anyone other than the author, the Faculty Advisor(s) and the CCUE staff for evaluation of the contents of the CDROM or equivalent. The final thesis will be sequestered in secure storage as the content of a CDROM or equivalent (labeled with student’s name, employer’s name and the date sequestered) and not be copied or otherwise duplicated, printed, bound, or further-edited.

3. The final thesis will be sequestered for a period indicated: from the date submitted to Kettering University. Once the time has expired, the thesis will be released and uploaded into the Thesis Digital Archive or equivalent on Kettering’s Library website for viewing on the same terms as a non-confidential thesis.

4. While a thesis is sequestered, available records about the thesis shall consist of the student’s name, employer’s name (and site, if applicable), faculty advisor’s name, date sequestered, and a title/abstract of “Confidential.”

5. Unlike a non-confidential thesis, the Employer Advisor and the student will not receive a bound copy of the thesis; further, the student may or may not be qualified for the Outstanding Thesis Award.

6. Employer and Kettering University acknowledge that this is the entire agreement between employer and Kettering concerning the confidentiality of the thesis for the student named above. Kettering University makes no representations regarding any actions of the student during the period of sequestration.

Student Signature

Date

Co-op Employer Signature

Date

Co-op Employer Printed Name and Title

Kettering University CCUE Director Signature

Date

Enter text✕
Prepare your document for signing right on this page
  • 01 Edit the text and complete the fields
  • 02 Click Sign Now and on the next screen add recipients and signature fields in SignNow
  • 03 Start your free trial to sign and send your doc
Sign Now

What the Kettering University Confidential Thesis Agreement Is

The Kettering University Confidential Thesis Agreement is a written contract used when a graduate student’s thesis includes proprietary, sponsor-owned, or otherwise sensitive information that should not be disclosed publicly. It defines what information is confidential, sets publication or embargo terms, assigns responsibilities for protecting data, and records any sponsor or university restrictions. The agreement is executed by the student and authorized university or sponsor representatives and becomes binding when signed; it coexists with university academic policies and may include additional obligations such as nondisclosure periods or conditions for redaction prior to release.

Why a Confidential Thesis Agreement Matters

A clear confidentiality agreement preserves sponsor IP, protects sensitive data, clarifies publication timing, and documents consent for restricted disclosure while aligning academic requirements with legal obligations.

Why a Confidential Thesis Agreement Matters

Who typically completes and signs this agreement

Use this agreement when thesis content implicates sponsor data, proprietary research, or personally identifiable information requiring formal protection.

  • Graduate student preparing thesis or dissertation with proprietary content
  • Thesis advisor or supervising faculty responsible for approvals
  • University research office, sponsored projects office, or external sponsor representative

Multiple parties sign to confirm responsibilities and to set publication or embargo conditions before thesis defense or final submission.

Primary signers and their roles

Student — Graduate Researcher

The student supplies the work, identifies confidential elements, and agrees to any publication embargoes or redaction steps. Accurate identification of the student (legal name, student ID) is essential to avoid administrative or tax reporting issues.

University — Authorized Official

A graduate studies administrator or sponsored projects officer reviews sponsor terms, confirms institutional obligations, and signs for the university to accept and enforce confidentiality provisions.

Core sections to expect in a professional agreement

A well-drafted Confidential Thesis Agreement groups definitions, responsibilities, and enforcement terms so all parties understand limits on disclosure and the path to publication or redaction.

Parties & Definitions

Identifies student, university, and sponsor and defines 'Confidential Information' with sufficient specificity to avoid ambiguity.

Scope of Confidentiality

Describes which materials are protected, the purpose of disclosure, and any permitted internal uses or limited disclosures.

Term and Embargo

Specifies confidentiality duration, embargo length, and conditions under which information may be published or released.

Publication Rights

Sets review windows for sponsor comment, redaction procedures, and final approval mechanics for public dissemination.

Sponsor Obligations

Describes sponsor duties to identify proprietary materials, provide redaction guidance, and communicate approvals within agreed timelines.

Remedies & Governing Law

Defines injunctive relief, damages, and the governing state law and venue for dispute resolution.

Essential information to include on the form

Student Legal Name: As on government ID
Student ID Number: University identifier
Department: Academic unit name
Thesis Title: Full official title
Sponsor / Company: Entity providing proprietary data
Effective Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Step-by-step: completing and executing the agreement

Follow these ordered steps to prepare, review, and finalize the Confidential Thesis Agreement before thesis submission or defense.

  • 01
    Draft completion: Fill all required fields and attach sponsor documents.
  • 02
    Faculty review: Advisor checks scope and flags issues.
  • 03
    Sponsor review: Sponsor reviews redactions or embargo requests.
  • 04
    Final signatures: All parties sign and date the executed copy.

How to amend or update an executed agreement

Amendments require clear, signed documentation and a controlled workflow to avoid conflicting obligations or unintended releases.

01

Request amendment:

Party submits a written amendment request explaining the change.
02

Review amendment:

Advisor and sponsor evaluate proposed revisions for scope and impact.
03

Draft amendment:

Prepare written amendment referencing the original agreement.
04

Sign amendment:

All original signers execute the amendment.
05

Record update:

Upload executed amendment to the institutional file store.
06

Notify stakeholders:

Inform library, graduate office, and relevant units of the change.

Typical online configuration for digital completion

Configure the digital workflow to capture signatures, maintain an audit trail, and route copies to institutional repositories.

Field Configuration
Signature block Required for each party; date field linked
Authentication Email + access code recommended
Storage Save PDF to university records system
Notifications Auto-send executed copy to signers

Digital signing and technical file requirements

Use an eSignature platform that preserves audit trails, supports PDF/DOCX, and meets institutional compliance requirements.

  • File formats: PDF or DOCX preferred
  • Integrations: Support for Google Drive or Box
  • Security: TLS and AES-256 at rest

Select a platform compatible with university records systems and able to produce a certificate of completion for retention and audit purposes.

Where to send the executed agreement and how the routing works

After execution, follow the institutional routing steps so all units receive copies and obligations are recorded.

  • Student submits: Upload executed PDF to graduate office
  • Sponsor receives: Sponsor gets executed copy for records
  • University archive: Graduate office stores original in records system
  • Library notice: Library notified of embargo or redaction

Key timing and response expectations

Plan timelines early; sponsor review windows and embargoes can delay defense or public release if not handled in advance.

Pre-defense submission:

Submit agreement before scheduling defense to avoid holds

Sponsor review period:

Typical sponsor review window is 15–30 business days

Publication embargo:

Embargo lengths often 6–24 months depending on sponsor

Redaction turnaround:

Allow 10–20 business days for redaction processing

Final archival:

Executed copy added to records before awarding degree

Common mistakes to avoid when preparing the agreement

  • Failing to identify all proprietary sources, which can leave sensitive data unprotected and create disputes over disclosure.
  • Missing or inconsistent party names and identifiers, causing administrative mismatches and possible delays in final approval.
  • Neglecting to set a clear embargo period or review timeline, which can delay thesis defense or public release.
  • Relying on unsigned or initialed copies when the institution requires fully executed signatures for the official record.

Consequences and legal risks of improper handling

Breach Liability: Sponsor may seek damages
Academic Sanctions: Possible disciplinary action
Loss of Funding: Sponsor may terminate support
IP Compromise: Unprotected inventions risk public disclosure
Regulatory Exposure: HIPAA or export control issues
Contract Voidance: Incorrect execution may render terms unenforceable

Typical eSignature vendor comparison for confidential thesis workflows

When selecting an eSignature provider, compare price, HIPAA support, bulk-send capabilities, and envelope limits to match institutional volume and compliance needs.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan

Frequently asked questions about confidential thesis agreements

Answers to common questions about enforceability, execution, and electronic signatures for Kettering University Confidential Thesis Agreements.


Need help? Contact support

Explore Templates

Complaint to Vacate and/or Alter a Recorded Plat Agreement for Exhibition of Unpatented Invention Claim Form State Bank of India Boat Mooring License Agreement Application Agreement for DMV Approved Translator Athletic Competition Agreement
be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users
Sign Now
Company
Forms
Pricing
Resources
Knowledge base
Other Products
© 2026 airSlate Inc. All rights reserved.